CASA EDEN

This place was everything I had hoped for in a Tuscan village. Up in the hills with magnificent views. We hung out in the front porch overlooking olive groves on most evenings, enjoying great local wine.

Very helpful owners who live close by... gave great restaurant recommendations and ideas for things to do.

We had an a wonderful 2 weeks at Casa Eden, Chiara and Ian were fantastic hosts, provided great customer service and we could not fault our 2 week holiday. Chiara and Ian recommended restaurants and even booked them on our behalf. They recommended places to visit and as we had a number of young children in our party they took this into consideration. Casa Eden has a very traditional and wonderful feeling from the moment you pull up on the driveway. Situated high up on the mountain the views are breath-taking. Everything you need is within a short drive and there are some good restaurants in walking distance (even with young children). We would recommend not buying any wine from the local shops as the wine made by Chiara and Ian's family (in Vinci) is superb and great value for money - we drank nothing else. We also recommend eating at a local Pizza restaurant a little further up the hill - you sit on a balcony on the edge of the mountain and the views are fantastic - the food is just as good and all the locals eat there. The work that has been done by Chiara and Ian on the 18th Century farmhouse is of a very high standard and our stay was very comfortable with modern facilities such as a dishwasher and DVD player (great for the kids when you want them to stay out of the midday sun). The pool was great and had a fantastic location on the edge of the hill over looking Vinci, although we believe a new pool has been put in since our stay - can't wait to go back and use it.

If you are thinking of going to Tuscany and want tradition, breath taking views, fantastic customer service and good food/wine Casa Eden and Vinci is the place. It is perfect for the older holiday maker as well as for large families with children of all ages. This was easily one of our best holidays and in our opinion great value for money.

Casa Eden is a beautiful farmhouse in the hills of Montalbano near the village of Vinci. The location is very central and close to Empoli with train connections to Firenze and Lucca/Pisa. An 18 holes Golf course (Montecatini Golf) is also nearby. Casa Eden itself is well equiped and ideal for cookery courses/workshops. We spent several holidays in Casa Eden (also with larger groups) and will certainly come back!