RESTORED FARMHOUSE & COTTAGE

Our group of 10 spent a couple of years planning a 3-week vacation in Italy, and we needed a spacious, comfortable villa to use as a home base for touring and relaxing. We researched a dozen places in Umbria and southern Tuscany, voted on our favorites, and selected Villa La Quercia. It was perfect. Outstanding location, central to many hill towns, and close to the train line to Rome and Florence. The villa and cottage had plenty of space for our group. The rooms were comfortable, there was plenty of common space, the terrific kitchen easily accommodated us for cooking and dining, and the pool and outdoor patio were just what we were looking for. We had complete privacy with beautiful views, but just a few minutes drive to two local villages and 10 minutes to the walled lakefront town of Castiglione del Lago. The countryside was great for long walks and for bike rides to the nearby towns. The bike shop in Castiglione del Lago rented bikes for a day or a week at very reasonable rates. Ken and Danica were easy to work with before and after our stay, and their local manager Patricia was more than helpful. We used their local reference book constantly, especially the recommendations for restaurants and the winery where we could fill up empty bottles with good but extremely inexpensive wine. We made multiple visits to the neighboring family-run farmhouse restaurant, and also loved Piccola Trattoria Guastini restaurant in Valiano, about a 15-minute drive from the villa. We cooked at the villa about every third night, and there were a couple of good grocery stores and a good butcher shop in Castiglione del Lago. We also liked the bakery and the pizza restaurant in the local village. Overall, the villa and the location exceeded our expectations, and was just the right home base for a memorable trip. We would highly recommend it for anyone planning a stay in central Italy.

WOW WOW WOW!! This home away from home was a true delight. We had the most wonderful time. I stayed here with my mum and sisters, brother in law and my niece and nephew for the week leading up to my wedding in Tuscany. There was 7 adults and 2 kids in total. Ken the owner has thought of everything and provided us with so much helpful information about the area, restaurants, supermarkets etc. The house was very well equipped, including high chairs and cots for the kids. The house is very spacious, (more than enough room for us all), beautifully decorated and definitely has the homely and luxurious feel .The large kitchen has every possible appliance you could wish for. The beds are super comfortable. The showers are powerful, with no shortage of hot water. The large inviting pool where we spent the most part of our day was spotlessly clean (a gardener tends to the grounds and the pool regularly). There are a large number of comfortable sunloungers, and the surrounding views including the lake make for a truly relaxing experience. On our first night we went to the neighbours restaurant, a five minute walk, the food was excellent and was perfect for the first night. We did a big shop in the supermarket, (there is a big freezer in the kitchen and an additional one in the garage) and ate outside at the big comfortable table under the beautiful pergola which was the "piece de resistance". Our nights were spent chilling, eating and enjoying the amazing wine. We took advantage of the bbq for a few of the nights, there is also plenty of outdoor lighting. The nights outside in this serene place were so perfect. There is also a TV room with a huge TV and equally huge DVD collection. The set up of the accommodation was perfect for us as there is an additional beautiful cottage with two bedrooms, where the children and their Mum and Dad stayed, but it would be perfect for any members of a group wanting a little extra privacy. The trampoline provided great fun. There are plenty of places to sneak off to if you fancy getting away from it all. Once you enter the impressive electric gates and make your way up the drive, you know you are in for a treat and you won't be disappointed. Simply heaven and we would highly recommend a stay.................Can't wait to go back!!

Ken

Thank you so much for your help and guidance-- we've absolutely loved our stay and look forward to returning again soon. We'll definitely reach out when we return home so we can plan our next trip.

Thanks also to Patricia, Mario, Lorenzo, and Graziella for their help and hospitality!