We had such an amazing time at Podere Dadino. We were group of 10 adults and 1 toddler and the place exceeded all of our expectations. The pre-arrival information is the most extensive we have ever seen, by some distance and was filled with useful practical information about the house, the area and Italy in general. The location of the house is ideal, appearing completely remote and yet being 10 minutes drive to 2 beautiful villages and a large supermarket. It was also easy to access the A1, giving good access to Florence, Rome and Bologna. The outside of the house is very impressive with immaculately tended gardens, a very large and well maintained pool, a wide range of fruit and vegetables growing (which we enjoyed using in our meals), a lovely outdoor eating area under a pergola, a pizza oven (one of our favourite features) and a built in BBQ. The views over the Tuscan countryside were stunning and a fantastic back drop to our meals. Inside the house has been well furnished with high quality features including top of the range kitchen appliances, very comfortable beds and fly screens (very useful) on all doors and windows. There was ample space for our large party to either be together or to escape from each other when necessary! Lolita was very helpful on arrival and also returned with her mother to cook an amazing 4 course meal with wine for us one evening. This was a real highlight of the trip. In summary, this place is perfect! We all really hope we can return soon.
Chris, August 2018
Just spent a fun week with extended family at this house, and it was everything the reviews described it as. We were there during a heat wave (it was in the 90's all week, including at night), so the pool was essential and all of us used it everyday. It's a great pool, very large and clean, with plenty of room for a big family to use. A couple caveats: the house does not have A/C and it is *extremely* warm even with fans in all the bedrooms, so be prepared for that if you're there in July and August. We enjoyed exploring many nearby towns including Sienna, Arezzo, Monte San Savino, Florence, and Lucignano, however nothing is in walking distance from the house (especially given the narrow bending roads which are dangerous to walk beside), so keep that in mind if that is something important to you. (Being able to easily walk into a town.) Lolita, the house keeper, was very kind and helpful. We hired her and her mother to make us a 4-course Italian dinner one night, which was fantastic. We also took advantage of the outdoor barbecue and bocce ball court. Overall, a great house and a great location!
Kristen, July 2018
We came to this amazing house to share a week with friends and family from the USA, Holland, Peru and Switzerland. We had 3 kids who took full advantage of the beautiful pool and the green space and garden.... we may have even left you a frisbee! The adults loved the large "american" beds, the various outdoor spaces where we enjoyed aperol spritz's every night, and the pool as well. We had Lolita over to prepare wood fired pizzas for the group and explored Siena, Montepulciano and Lucignano and Monte San Savino. Such a joy. The house is fully stocked with everything you need from towels to great quality knives to countless books, and sound advice from the owners. You can't go wrong with this spot! Enjoy.
July 2018
Fantastiskt vackert, välutrustat och bekvämt hus. Hur enkelt som helst att bara packa upp väskan och börja njuta av livet. 10 vuxna och två små barn hade gott om plats både inne och ute, även i poolen. Bra läge mellan mysiga Lucignano och Monte San Savino, nån timme söder om Florens. Hit vill man igen!
Anders, June 2018
My family of nine members recently spent a week at Podere Dadino. What a lovely home! Every comfort and need was well thought out. After a long day of sightseeing, it was a special treat for us to enjoy the beautiful pool and bask in the warm Tuscan sun. I highly recommend this property and hope to return in the near future.
Joanne, June 2018
We can't express how much we enjoyed staying at this beautiful Tuscan country home nestled between two charming towns. It was absolutely perfect! Our visit to Tuscany included four couples and 3 young adult children. The home met our every need. The grounds are immaculate, the house beautifully restored with many amenities for your use. Many of the other reviews outline the amenities which I won't reiterate; however, other items to also mention are that it includes a complete library highlighting travel and regional highlights as well as a large collection of Tuscan cookbooks. Victoria, one of the owners and main contact could not be more responsive to any question you may have. She is an email away whether in the US or in Italy. Lolita is the local contact who is minutes away is available for information, preparing meals and responding to any needs you may have. Our group asked Lolita to prepare a dinner on the day we arrived as we were quite jet lagged and she delivered a wonderful meal and shared much information about the local area. We cooked in all the other days and I must say we gave the kitchen a thorough workout and it met all our needs. We enjoyed pizza night by the authentic wood burning pizza oven which was another highlight among so many. With the house as a main gathering place, we visited wineries in Montepulciano and the surrounding area. The Vino Nobile was outstanding and I fear we spent far to many Euros shipping wine home. We attended a cooking school in Cortona which was a tremendous amount of fun. At the end of the instructions everyone sits down to eat the huge meal along with pitchers of Vino dela Casa. Victoria provides a very comprehensive "house book" in advance with many, many recommendations about all these areas as well as information about the house and grounds. Other days we spent seeing the sights in , Arezzo, Cortona, Orvieto, Montalcino, Siena and travelling the Chianti road. Our groups were sometimes split up but then we all met back at the Villa. The evenings were filled with cooking, eating and enjoying the wines. If you want to stay at a quintessential Tuscan villa that is the picture of everything you ever think of about when dreaming ofTuscany, this is the place for you. The time was not nearly enough.
Scott, September 2017
If you dream about a quiet, remote and confortable house with a fantastic view on Tuscany, yet not so far from so typical and charming villages full of history, this is the place. We were two families with kids and did spend a wonderful week. We did sightseeing in the morning in all the historical towns and villages that are not more than one hour far, the house is really very well located, very close to major highways. Afternoon near the swimming pool with the kids who loved it as it was large and deep in some place and still not too profound for the smaller ones. A big thank you also to the very friendly Italian team who is taking very good care of this little paradise!
Anne, July 2017
Our family had an absolutely amazing time in this beautiful Tuscan country home that far exceeded our expectations! The website (www.tuscancountryhouse.com) does an excellent job describing the home, so no point in wasting space detailing that here. The site also has a wonderful gallery of photos. Needless to say, the home is a beautifully restored with many modern amenities. A few amenities that were especially appealing to our group was the beautiful pool (we used it almost every night), manicured grounds, outdoor brick grill and three outdoor eating areas. The fenced and gated property nestled between a large sunflower field and rolling Tuscan hills provided ideal solitude and privacy. Ideally located between two quaint Tuscan towns while at the same time just minutes from the highway. By car the house is 1 hour from Florence, 45 minutes to Siena. Victoria (one of the owners) is wonderful to work with, as well as Lolita (local contact, housekeeper, cook), Piero (groundskeeper) and Vanni (property manager). Lolita made us a Tuscan dinner one night which was one of the highlights of our trip. Not only was the 4-course meal outstanding, but she was a delight to talk with after the meal! Our day trips included, Perugia, Montepulciano, San Gimignano, Lucignano, Cortona, Cinque Terre and Florence. All of them are amazing in their own way. Victoria’s house book was the perfect companion to the region and provided many tips to guide our visit. In the end, we loved the house and didn’t want to leave. We are planning our next trip there as we speak!
Francis, June 2017
Podere Dadino is perfect in every way. It is a spacious, comfortable house with beautiful gardens and pool. The house is very well equipped as the owner appears to have thought of one's every need. The house is also well situated for easy access to Firenze, Siena, Cortona and many hill towns. Lolita and Andrea came to the house to make us a pizza dinner and it was sensational! Podere Dadino is a great choice where you can relax, enjoy and experience the Tuscan countryside.
Margaret, June 2017
We stayed at Podere Dadino for a week in early June with our entire family consisting of 5 adults and a 15 month-old baby. The main house (we did not use the secondary building) was spacious and well-appointed, offering each of us comfort and privacy. The house grounds are meticulously maintained and are quite beautiful. The house's location is perfect for visits to Sienna, Montalcino, Pienza, Arezzo, Cortona as well as the two, local, charming towns of Monte San Savino and Lucignano. It was always a delight to return to Podere Dadino and the end of a hot day for swimming and relaxing by the pool.
Deborah, June 2017
My family and I spent an amazing week in October at the Podere Dadino. It's always risky booking something online, but based on prior reviews, we took a chance. We are so VERY happy we did. The Tuscan experience offered by the Podere Dadino was one that my family will long cherish. As New York City dwellers, we so enjoyed the country atmosphere and quiet. Who knew there were so many stars in the sky!! The house is just lovely on the inside, and the grounds are meticulously kept with all sorts of beautiful flora. The outside pizza oven and bocci court were a treat for us all. (It was too cool for the pool, but the pool is spectacular!) The house was well located for day trips to many wonderful Tuscan towns such as Montepulciano, Lucignano, Cortona (a real favorite), Siena, Pienza and a bit further, Florence. While all of the meals we had in Tuscany were delicious, Il Goccino, a restaurant in Lucignano, was one of our favorite dining experiences. Victoria, the Podere's owner, kept us well-informed during the process and was most helpful in answering our numerous questions. Her house book also made our stay so much easier. All of our questions were answered in this book. Lolita, Andrea and Vanni, our contacts in Italy, were also incredibly responsive to our needs. I would love to return some day with my granddaughters who were too little to appreciate the villa. I hope Victoria will still be renting her lovely Podere Dadino in the future. It truly was one of the best vacation experiences we have ever had!
Dolores, October 2016
My brother and I rented this lovely house for a family reunion. It turned out to be a spectacularly perfect venue for us. We were as many as 10 people some of the time, and one great feature of the house is the privacy possible because of its spaciousness and configuration. It is quite difficult to hear what other people are doing, so you don't feel piled on top of one another. We had two families with young children, and having the guest house for them -- attached but still separate -- made their visit really enjoyable because the kids could be put to bed easily or take naps without affecting everyone else. Everything about the house and its furnishings is both beautiful and functional, and well cared for. You have a sense that it is someone's home , which is good, but it is also comfortably your own while you are there. The "comfortable" aspect is important -- it really did feel like home in the best possible way. We had Lolita come and make pizzas one night, and also cook a Tuscan dinner another night -- both were delicious and very much worth the cost. The setting and location are perfect, and we were there long enough to make good use of the pool and the various outdoor eating spots. We all hated to leave and would love to come back again. Lucignano is a very charming, interesting, and pleasant town close by, as is Monte San Savino. We spent a lot of time just hanging out in those towns, having aperitivi, shopping, or eating. Everything about the rental was handled efficiently and quickly. I would recommend this house to anyone with a family or group as a terrific venue for a lovely vacation.
Linda, September 2016
We rented this outstanding Tuscan home for three weeks with very high expectations and were not disappointed. The accommodations are very spacious, comfortable, spotless, and very well maintained. All the comforts of home are there for your enjoyment. The main house and guest are large enough to comfortably handle 10-12 people without feeling cramped and the walls are so thick that you can't hear anything through them --very quiet. We had small children visit and they and their parents stayed in the guest house -- perfect set up. Amazing pool and attached arbor area where you can enjoy apertivos and watch the sun set. I would encourage having Lolita fix pizza in the outdoor pizza oven and also a traditional Tuscan dinner -- both were a special treat and worth it. The location is ideal for day trips visiting medieval villages, Florence is a little over an hour's drive. WE HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME!! LOVED IT!!!
Buddy, September 2016
We rented Podere Dadino which is located between Monte San Savino and Lucignano in Tuscany. In the words of our children and grandchildren, “it was the best family vacation ever!” The home and the grounds exceeded all our expectations. The house is located in sunflower, grape and corn fields about 15 minutes from each of the two nearest towns. The grounds/house incorporates a very large pool, a 6 bedrooms/4 full baths, a full vegetable garden, bocce court, outdoor brick grill with dry wood and a pizza oven. The rooms in the house are all large. The kitchen is large and very well equipped with the best dinnerware and extensive cooking utensils. It has a good oven and cook top but no garbage disposal. There was a place for organic garbage on the grounds. The recyclable trash is deposited in large containers along the roads. The bathrooms are very well equipped including a complete first aid kit in each. The care and management of the house and grounds are in the hands of Lolita, who met us when we arrived and briefed us on the house and grounds and also offered an optional service along with her mother to cook meals, etc. We also had the occasion to call her when one of our cars had a flat tire at the house. She brought a mechanic to the house and he took care of the tire. The care of the pool and grounds was handled by Piero, a fine Italian gentleman, who was at the house every 3 or 4 days. He cared for the vegetable garden which provided us with tomatoes (regular and plum), cucumbers, zucchini, onions and basil throughout our stay. We arrived at the tail end of the plum season from the tree on the grounds. We had 3 days of fresh plums. Piero kept the pool absolutely spotless and skimmed. Paola came to the house each Friday to change the bed linens and bath towels. The quality of the linens and towels was first class. There is a washing machine but no dryer, but plenty of facility for hanging clothes on the racks outdoors. One of our initial concerns when we were considering renting the house was that it is not air conditioned. This was not a problem. The house also offers two TV sets, with satellite coverage (primarily foreign) and WiFi in several of the rooms. The library of DVDs is extensive as is the reading library. To repeat the words of our children, “it was the best vacation ever!”, certainly aided by the many comforts afforded by this very special house in this very special area.
S. Frank, July 2016
I honestly could not fault this villa, it was perfect for our family - grandparents, parents and 3 young children. The house is beautiful and the gardens even more so with lots of lovely shady areas to sit, an amazing pool, a garden with fresh vegetables and of course the pizza oven! I could not recommend this property enough. We most definitely hope to return.
Sarah, June 2016
Our party was 3 generations and included a baby and 2 nearly 3yr olds. The villa catered for and was loved by all. We used the main house and annex which meant that there was ample space for 3 families to spread and be comfortable, as well as find peace if needed. All the "admin" surrounding our stay was faultless and added to the sense of relaxation while on our holiday. The owner is happy to answer queries both before and after booking, the deposit and payment process was well managed ( with very speedy deposit return after our holiday ), the villa has a great "support" staff to ensure garden, pool, etc all run smoothly and a detailed "House Book" provides all the information you could want to give you a trouble free stay. In fact we kept a copy open on the kitchen table to answer all those little " how do you ...." queries as they arose. What none of this can prepare you for is the sheer "WOW" factor when you arrive. The gardens, the pool, the house and all the equipment were way in excess of our expectations - and we had had pretty high expectations to begin with ! The house is equipped with the quality and care that you would expect from a home and that is the feel of the place - your home , not a rental. From the thick bathroom towels, to the fantastically equipped kitchen, to the well stocked TV room and library - everything is there to cosset you and make you feel welcome. A huge plus for us was the provision of quality baby equipment - cot, high chair and booster seats, and a selection of pool toys to keep all ages happy. The other huge bonus was the insect screens on all doors and windows. this was especially welcome in the bedrooms where it was possible to have a completely bug free sleeping environment, meaning we did not have to cover the children in insect repellent over night The pool itself is magnificent - large, with gentle steps down into it and a cover that keeps the heat in, so that the water was always warm and inviting, and the surrounding area is beautifully laid out with shower, sun loungers and a shaded loggia area. Rest of the garden was beautifully maintained and a productive vegetable garden fought against some very hostile weather conditions during our stay. A special mention to Lolita, who was able to be flexible with arrival and departure times and with her mother provided us with a variety of catering options all of which were fabulous. An amazing holiday in outstanding accommodation, highly recommended. We must return.
Carrie, August 2015
A family group of 10 people stayed in the villa for a period of nearly 2 weeks. We are 6 adults and 4 children ages 5 to 11. The house, overall setting and overall surrounding areas could not be more ‘Tuscan’ than if you created the perfect place in your own mind. The entire stay was full of accolades by each guest (including the children) The house itself is perfect. We occupied both the main house as well as the attached guest house. And everyone had lots of room and we all were comfortable. Upon arriving, this picturesque villa has Tuscany and Italy written all over it and it provides a most welcoming charm. The house furnishings provided all the comforts of home (utensils, appliances, furnishings, books, magazines, and overall charm). There are several TVs available, but they were not used at all (even by the children); the WI-FI worked fine and all appliances were put to good use (washer, dish washer, ironing board, etc.). The surrounding grounds are marvelous. In the immediate area is a vegetable garden as well as fruit trees and in the adjoining fields are grape vineyards and rolling hills. While we were there, the garden was producing a nice crop of tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers- which we enjoyed thoroughly. The swimming pool is an excellent size and was a welcome sight for everyone after a day of touring neighboring villages and towns. Everyone made great use of the pool and it kept the children excited for the entire stay. We found the neighboring town of Lucignano one of the most charming Tuscan villages we have ever visited. It is small, has some history, shops are excellent and the restaurants are superb. We ate in 4 of the restaurants in the town and each was superb. The comments provided by the owner in the ‘house book’ were right on as to recommendations of each of the restaurants. The restaurant L’Oste Matto was one of the finest restaurants I have ever visited (inventive dishes, terrific selections, each menu item had the personal touch of the owner, outstanding service). Additionally the restaurants Il Goccino and La Rocco were also excellent (we ate in each twice). Terrific day-trips are easy from this central location. We took trips to Cortona (25 minutes), Florence ( I hour train from Arezzo) (twice), Siena (45 minutes), Assisi (70 minutes), Pienza (40 minutes- and a real find), Castello Brolio, Montepulciano (40 minutes), and several other towns.
Frank, July 2015
Podere Dadino was a wonderful Villa nestled in the heart of Tuscany. An ideal location for sightseeing, and a comfortable relaxing enviornment after a busy day of touring. The home meets all your needs and has beautiful grounds, views you will never forget and a wonderful place for a family to vacation and see the world. We had a hard time leaving. Seina, Florence , Pisa, Luca were just a few cities that were easy day trips. This was the best family vacation ever and we were blessed to be able to be together and experience the adventure. We made memories, that can never be replaced. I hope to return to Podere Dadino some day.
Kathy, June 2015
Podere Dadino is a piece of Heaven in the magnificent Tuscan countryside. It is an extremely peaceful and private residence surrounded by nature. My favorite part of the day was early in the morning while I drank coffee outside under the covered patio and listened to the songbirds. The house is very comfortable with lovely views from each room of surrounding property. We all enjoyed the comfort of the beds, sofas, and dining areas inside and outside the home. My children (13 and 15 years old) both enjoyed the swimming pool in afternoons after our daily outings. We took pleasure in spending hours inside and outside the home relaxing and spending time together as a family. We arranged for Lolita to make pizza for us using the wood burning pizza oven on the premises. It was delicious! She also prepared a Tuscan dinner for us another evening. My children especially enjoyed the desserts that she made on both occasions for us. We had ample left overs for the next day. She is an excellent cook and were grateful for the high quality meals she made for us. We appreciated the location of the home and the proximity of many medieval towns to explore. We enjoyed the town of Lucignano (which is about a 5 minute drive from house). The locals are very pleasant and friendly. We shopped at the grocery store, bakery, ate at family and fine Italian restaurants, and enjoyed tasteful gelato. I was touched by a local volunteer at the church in Lucignano. He spent about 15 minutes with our family and gave us a private tour as he explained to us through gestures and phrases (since he spoke Italian and we speak English) of the treasures in the church. He was very patient and kind and genuinely so happy to share his church with us. Besides Lucignano, two other beautiful and fascinating medieval cities we visited were Cortona and Montepulciano. We also went to Florence by train. We drove to Arezzo station and took the train into the city. It was a great adventure for our children. There are more surrounding areas to explore and great suggestions in the House Book and Basket of maps and brochures left in sitting room. We only stayed one week, but could have easily stayed longer with more to explore and discover. I hope one day we can return to this beautiful home in the Tuscan countryside. We most definitely recommend it to those who want to experience the Best of Italy!
Heidi, June 2015
WOW!! We so enjoyed our wonderful stay at this beautiful villa in Tuscany. Very high quality home, equipped to the highest standards, spectacular grounds and property. Ideal location is within an hour's drive of many, many Medieval villages of Chianti country, and Tuscany. The pool, pizza oven and bocci court are ideal for family fun, and relaxation. Exquisite!!
September 2014
This villa is beautiful and set in a wonderful garden with a large pool. We were 7 people and found ample space for everyone. We enjoyed preparing meals and cooking in the kitchen. We ate very meal outside on the patio and enjoyed evenings drinking wine. The house is set back some 400 meters from the road and is quiet. The flowers and garden are well tended and we even enjoyed a couple of ripe tomatoes. We would happily recommend this home. Thank you Victoria.
Michael, July 2014
We travel around the world and can safely say this is among the best places we've ever stayed. Here are some of the elements that make the villa such a stand-out: * Great local staff. We hired Lolita (recommended by the villa owner) to cook us pizzas one night on the outdoor pizza oven and a more traditional Tuscan meal on another night, which were both fantastic. On the first night I mentioned to Lolita that I like to bike and by 7 am the next morning there was a mountain bike sitting in the front yard that she had sent over from the local bike rental company (on a Sunday morning even). The landscaper was tending to the garden, pool and grounds every other day of our visit. * Plenty of space inside and out. There are 4 large bedrooms in the main house and 2 more in the guest house, which was plenty of space for our party of 9. There are also 3 sitting rooms (all with Wi-Fi) which allowed the kids to hang out separate from the parents. There is also a large office, but fortunately we didn't need to use it during our stay. * Spectacular secluded grounds. The property is quite secluded, at least one-third of a mile from the main road and it has a garden with fresh vegetables and at least 5-6 fruit trees with ripe plums and apricots. We picked fresh lettuce and onions each night for our salads. There is also a bocce ball space that we used during our stay. * New and well furnished. We soon realized the house had a major overhaul recently, which was confirmed by the owner (in 2005 or 2006). The house had plenty of linens, towels and kitchen items. We were pleasantly surprised to see the house was equipped with screens, which we're told is not that common in Tuscany. * Centrally located (an hour from Florence, 45 minutes to Sienna and 30 minutes to Arezzo). We made day trips to a number of the cities and villages in Tuscany. I also rode the mountain bike 10-20 miles most days during our stay because there is easy access to some of the less traveled roads (bordered by sunflower fields and vineyards, which was spectacular). * Great local culture that's not "touristy". Unlike our visits to Venice and Rome during the trip (before and after the villa stay), the area near the villa has very much of a local feel. We were looking to get a feel for the local Tuscan culture which we definitely experienced (we came across very few tourists in the area). The owner provided a very detailed house book and was very responsive to our questions.
James, June 2014
We were 3 generations (ages 11 to 73), celerating our 50th. wedding annieversary. This was the perfect house, the perfect kitchen, and the perfect town. For a 2 wk. stay (or longer), it was very comfortable, with ample storage, space, bathrooms, supplies, everything you would find in your own home. Most times we were 3 cooks cooking and the large kitchen table allowed each of us to have enough space to do our preps. The garden supplied our salad fixins, veggies, and the local outdoor market supplimented the garden's zucchini flowers, which we battered and fried (recipe found in the kitchen's many, good cookbooks), and delicious! Piero took excellent care of the lovely grounds and pool. The pool was the favorite place for the grandkids, the pizza oven was the favorite place for the adults! We took advantage of the 3 outdoor eating areas, depending on the location of the sun and the meal. Our favorite was under the wisteria covered arbor near the pool. The farm house lacked for nothing. There were numerous movies, games (Grandma beat the kids at "Pick up sticks", pool toys, and places to relax, quiet places to read, congregate, or play bocce -a must, every night! If you are lucky to have a meal prepared for you by Lolita, you will enjoy a delicious meal. She is an excellent cook and teacher. All 3 generations were enthralled with her pizza dough making lesson, and devoured all 5 pizzas! Lucignano is a truly lovely hilltop town, and the perfect location for a home base to explore Toscano. The farm house was the best ever homebase -complete with screens!!! It is a very special place.
June 2014
We recently spent a week at Podere Dadino. The home exceeded our expectations! Three couples shared the home and there was more than enough room for everyone. The house and grounds were immaculate and the photos on the web site don’t do the home justice. We spent our evenings either in front of the fireplace drinking wine or walking the property enjoying the view with a glass in hand. The home is set back from the main road and is secluded from other homes in the area. The actual location of the home is very convenient for visiting the local scenic towns and countryside of Tuscany. The weather was still a bit cool on our visit and unfortunately we were not able to use the pool. The kitchen comes completely outfitted with everything you need to prepare meals and was a gathering place for all of us during the morning and evenings when we returned home. Lolita met us when we arrived and met with us just before we left. She is very nice and can answer almost any question you have about the house and local area. I highly recommend this house to any family or group, and I hope to be able to return some day.
Karen, May 2014
Our recent stay at this beautiful villa was wonderful, it exceeded all our expectations. Our group of 4 couples took the guest house as well as the main house in order to spread out and were happy we did. We loved the great room with the huge fireplace, the well stocked kitchen and dining area, the grill and pizza oven with loggia where we spent a few nights cooking together and eating great steaks from the butcher shop and making our own pizzas. The location was perfect for visiting Florence, Arezzo, San Gimonango, horseback riding, wine tastings, Montepulciano, etc. While we did not use the pool, we enjoyed lunch by it under the pergola. The grounds were lovely and we had access to the garden for tomatoes, squash, herbs and eggplant (all that were left in October.) The owner was most helpful and quick to answer any questions. We would highly recommend Podere Dadino to anyone wanting to have a relaxing Tuscan holiday in a beautiful villa and setting.
MaryLou, October 2013
My family and I just spent a week at this house and I can't say enough about this PERFECT property! We were floored when we drove up to the house...it is BEAUTIFUL! The house has everything you need: a big, impressively furnished kitchen, lots of sitting rooms, large, nicely furnished bedrooms with comfortable beds...but best of all, it has spacious outdoor eating areas, a garden with delicious produce, a pizza oven, a huge pool, landscaping that is breathtaking, and is way off the road. My husband called it "a geographic wonder" as it seems to be an hour away from everywhere you would want to go! We actually cancelled a few side trips just to stay at the house for an afternoon! The owners are great and easy to communicate with...they even provide a very detailed "House Book" that makes wonderful suggestions for places to go for food and wine, restaurants they recommend, local markets, and gives specific instructions on how to use all of the modern appliances. The house manager is also great and she and her mother fixed dinner for us on the night we arrived, which was delicious! I could go on and on, but will end by saying that I wish this was my house!
Your house is AMAZING! It was beyond my expectations! We had a magical, wonderful time and the week went by too fast. We enjoyed eating on the gorgeous patios--even made pizza in the pizza oven!--I could go on and on. I guess the best compliment I can give is to say that we wish that was OUR house! Thank you so much...I hope we go back one day.
P.S. Lolita's meal was fantastic!
Jenny and family, July 2013
We had such a marvelous time in your Tuscan farmhouse. The house is so well equipped and the grounds stunning. Our grandson loved cutting the fresh lettuce leaves from the garden; we all watched in wonder the night the Fire Flies danced in the shrubbery; and the pizza we made and baked in the outdoor oven was the best ever!
Sandi and family, June 2013
Our trip has been fabulous.. nothing that we would change about it I am glad to say!
Lottia was at your home upon our arrival. She had a roaring fire going which was welcome due to damp, chilly weather. She made us feel at home as well as filling us w/her delicious meal which was enough for 6 or 8. We enjoyed her leftovers into the week.
Your home was just as the photos depicted.. attractive, comfortable, extremely well maintained in a picturesque setting that will not be forgotten! Truly lacking of nothing aside from a toaster & clothes dryer for us spoiled Americans. We adapted quite easily and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly!
The information you shared which we fondly called "our Tuscany bible" was a Godsend! We used and followed it on more occasions that I will mention. We made it to ten villages/towns as well as our overnight in Florence. We took in an opera in Rome for we wanted our youngest who was traveling w/to have the experience since he sings. We hired a guide on our return to Rome to take in a few spots we didn't want to miss.
Typical to the way we prefer to travel our favorite part of our trip was your Tuscany area. A slower pace with beautiful sights and as the saying goes, roads less traveled.
Thank you for sharing your home with us!
Jennifer & family (April 2013)
"The house was really great and we enjoyed every moment in it. It was sometimes difficult to convince ourselves to go out sightseeing, as we were so comfortable in the villa and around the swimming pool!" Sylvie and Jean-Noel (August 2012)
"Rien à redire, tout était parfait: la villa, la région, les équipements. Nous étions 11 personnes + 2 enfants (6 mois et 2.5 ans) et nous avons eu suffisamment d''espace pour tout le monde. La maison est très bien insonorisée. On ne manque pas d''équipements (ustensiles cuisine, machine à laver, planche à repasser, nombreux transats + jeux de piscine...) les petits plus: terrain de pétanque, four à pizza, potager dans lequel on peut se servir (mais attention peu de légumes!!)" Eva (August 2012)
"We absolutely love the house. We are all settled in. You have done a great job appointing the house. Have walked every inch of your garden. The lettuce is wonderful, have picked some ripe tomatoes and will use them. Have been thinking of every way to use all the fabulous rosemary. So far have made a meat bolognese sauce (not very Tuscan but one of my favorite sauces). ... I also already made sauce for pizza and am excited to use the pizza oven. We had chicken cacciatore for dinner tonight and some great salad. ...Every day we have been going to a different town and have a list still to go. The kids love the pool." Madeleine (July 2012)
"La villa è davvero fantastica, completa di tutto quello che si puo'' desiderare. Abbiamo trascorso una settimana bellissima senza quasi mai uscire dalla tenuta, tanto era accogliente l''ambiente. La casa è fornita di tutto, compreso addirittura la connessione ad Internet, il forno per le pizze, il campo da bocce, ventilatori in ogni stanza, vasca idromassaggio, orto. Il problema adesso è che non sarà possibile trovare un posto migliore per la prossima vacanza." Franco (July-August 2012)
"Flowers, friends, water, and more – your villa is made for relaxing, re-uniting, and remembering the sweet, bright, humming joys of life." Laura (June 2012)
"You have a stunning home. Perfect, really. To your other guests – don’t miss the gelato place in Monte San Savino; best we had anywhere. And Piero’s frescoes [Piero della Francesca], and Prada, and the Mall!!" Cris and Carole, and friends (May-June 2012)
"One long week at your villa was a wonderful experience and a special introduction to Italy and especially Tuscany for several of our family members. The house is marvelous and our visits to neighboring towns will never be forgotten (great tiramisu at Il Casseto in Monte San Savino). Thanks again!" Alice, Richard and family (October 2011)
"Our extended family of nine has enjoyed three weeks at fabulous Podere Dadino. Our group ranged in age from 4 to 70 something and everyone had some special activity – bocce ball competitions, and of course the marvelous pool. The villa seems to wrap its arms around a visitor right from the time of arrival. We’ll never forget our stay here – dinners outside (including wood fired pizza), trips to many towns, great food and wines, beautiful weather, and very helpful staff. In short – a five star villa." Tim and family (August-Sept. 2011)
"We had a perfect time at Podere Dadino!! It exceeded our expectations! We were very comfortable , and just had a fabulous time! The property is stunning, the pool so large !
Lolita was lovely. We had her and her mother cook one evening and everyone enjoyed the food tremendously. She was very patient with our millions of questions.
We also cooked ourselves, and were able to make a salad for 9 using the vegetables from the garden. An extra bonus / surprise was that there was internet. We had not expected that. One person had an ipad, so many were able to check email, etc. I used my iphone. We never had to use the house cell phone. Phone reception was very good.
Despite our fears we rented 3 cars among us, and did not have any problems. On our last night we had a memorable dinner at La Roca (Lucignano) on the roof top patio. It was spectacular, and the fish feast excellent. Your house book was very helpful. We went to a few markets. We thought Sinalunga was the best. We went to Siena , Arezzo, Cortona, Asisi. The best shopping we thought was Cortona. We bought lots of purses there. Two in our group went to an Andre Bocelli concert near Voltera. That was an adventure, but worth it.
It was a great vacation, and no one wanted to leave." Ulrike (July 2011)
I can’t even begin to tell you how much we enjoyed our stay at Podere Dadino and Lucignano. It is truly heaven. We had wonderful weather, enjoyed the festival of flowers, the local markets, visiting many Tuscan villages, drinking great wine and eating great food and everything Tuscany has to offer. We had a wonderful dinner at Lo Steccheto and would highly recommend it. We let the chef/owner choose the menu and wine and had an incredible dinner with enough to take home for dinner the next night – and all at a very reasonable price. We were a group of 11 which he easily accommodated. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful home. “The Girls from Hawaii” (June 2011)
"We had a fabulous time ... Your Villa is spectacular and worked out perfectly for us and yes we did take in the festival and really enjoyed it. It really would have been a shame to have missed it. Lucignano was our favorite part of our trip. I can see why you picked this for your get-a-way in Tuscany. We had beautiful weather and enjoyed some hikes, visits to neighboring villages, market days, lots of food and wine and relaxing and playing games by the pool. It was really very special and I am sure you will see some of us back there in the future." Gerry and friends (May-June 2011)
"We had a great time ... Your house is beautiful. We now want one." Karen (March 2011)
"What can I say, we just loved Podere Dadino. Every detail was perfect right down to the Alessi coral bowl at the top of the stairs. Thank you for sharing some of your personal items with your guests. I felt like I was in the home of a close friend. Both my husband and I love to cook and we found the kitchen to be very well stocked with everything we needed and the garden was icing on the cake. We harvested lettuce for salad and sandwiches, tomatoes for a chicken stew and herbs for everything. Our nephew loves to grill and build fires so he was in 7th heaven, the pork chops and Chianina beef he grilled was perfection. We also loved Lucignano and ate some of the best meals we had in Italy there, my favorite remains pici with cacio e pepe, so simple so delicious. … Our only regrets were that we couldn’t stay longer and didn’t see any cinghiale." Diane (October 2010)
"One week was hardly enough to enjoy this wonderful house and its environment – but we gave it our best effort. Thank you for sharing your garden with us. The fruits of it (tomatoes, lettuce, herbs, etc.) complemented some great home-cooked meals – (Tuscan style chicken and pepper stew; pork chops; bistecca a la Fiorentina), which we supplemented with some great regional wines. We came as a family of 7: [siblings, a daughter, a son, and two spouses]. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful home." William, Susan, and family (October 2010)
"The villa was ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!! We visited so many beautiful places, had a private wine tour from some business acquaintances in the Chianti region, cooked fabulous meals, took many wonderful walks and hikes. Went to two Termes [hot mineral spas], shopped in Cortona, followed a ton of restaurant suggestions from Victoria in the book. The house was great, you and Victoria are great for having it and sharing it. I could not imagine a better way to celebrate my 50th. … We also went to two festivals: one is Monte San Savino the first Sunday we were there (the Pork Festival) where we ate wonderful grilled pig and tried many pecorino cheeses. The next Sunday we went to the Olive Oil festival in Ciggiano and then went to Castello de Chiana (not sure of the name right now) and then to a restaurant on the other side of the hill that Victoria said you and she had been going to for decades. All my friends loved the house, - I would not do Tuscany any other way." Ann (September 2010)
"Thank you very much for renting us your lovely Tuscan house for the week. We had an absolutely wonderful time and everything worked very well including the wood fire pizza oven! The local pizza shop made us fresh dough so it made life very easy! Your comprehensive instructions were very useful, including your restaurant recommendations and towns to visit! We found the location magnificent, so close to so many beautiful towns! We went for runs and walks around the area which were just fantastic. The pool was lovely and the Bocce court was lots of fun as well. Thank you very much again and we would love to rent your place again sometime. We will also highly recommend it to friends and family. P.S We did a superb wine tour around Montalcino which we would highly recommend!" Simon and Vanessa (Australia), August 2010
"Thanks for the nice holiday! We are back in cold Belgium (15°c) and miss the sunshine of Tuscany!!!!
We enjoyed it a lot, and the house and area are wonderful. We handled it with care as we do our own things, everything you need is at the house ... and there was room enough for 3 families. We lived most of the time outside, because the weather was fantastic. We asked Lolitta to cook for us and the dinner was delicious. We also used the fresh tomatoes, salad and basil from the garden, and it was nice to have some fresh vegetables. We visited Lucignano, Monte San Savino, Arezzo and Siena. Siena is a beautiful city, my husband and I also visited the cathedral, a beautiful work of art!!! Our vacation was really too short for all the nice places to visit and to enjoy the house. Right now we are enjoying the beautiful memories of our holiday, and we definitely will tell our friends how nice the house is!!" Ingrid and Rudi (Belgium), August 2010
"Your home is absolutely gorgeous. We had a great time there. Lolita was great and a very nice treat having her cook the first meal we had in the house - it was a very nice introduction to Tuscany. All of the towns were great - personally I enjoyed Lucignano a bit more than Monte San Savino... La Rocca and La Maggiolata were both great - the owners of the second one were wonderful...and I would love to have their restaurant here where we live. We did enjoy some zucchini from your garden for one of our dinners - a very nice bonus! Again just a wonderful experience and I would not hestitate one iota recommending your home to everyone who wants a perfect Tuscan experience. It is in beautiful condition and the pictures really don't do it justice - and it is so much bigger than we ever thought." Rob and Laura, June-July, 2010
"Just wanted you to know that our stay at your wonderful villa (6/5 -- 6/19) was most enjoyable. We so much appreciated the location and amenities of Podere Dadino. Of course, it's hard to beat Tuscany as a location, but the experience was enhanced by the beautiful grounds, comfortable and tasteful furnishings and special touches you have created. We enjoyed dining inside, on the patio and under the arbor. The pool was fantastic. The kitchen was surprisingly well equipped -- and we took good advantage. We also appreciated all the information in the House Book.
You have created an excellent villa experience!" Marty, June 2010
"We can not express enough how much we enjoyed our stay in your beautiful Podere Dadino in Lucignano. We loved how you decorated and appointed the home in so many lovely ways. It was much more than we had expected. I took many photos of the home and its surroundings, so I have sent you just a few… Please feel free to use them if you like. However, the ones on your website are great. Your hand book was a bonus and gave us many good ideas. We went to several market days and enjoyed a lovely dinner in Lucignano at the Il Goccino Ristorante. The food and service was wonderful. Thank you once again. Paula, June 2010
"Just a note from us to say how much we enjoying staying at your villa. It is set in such magnificent countryside and we loved exploring the various towns around the area. Your detailed information was very useful and we used it on quite a few occasions. The villa itself was very comfortable and we all enjoyed our stay. We had really good weather for our stay and enjoyed the pool on most days. The staff who looked after the garden and cleaning etc were unobtrusive and appeared very efficient... Your villa certainly exceeded our expectations and is one of the best holidays we have enjoyed. Grant and Lyn, June 2010
“We had a great time at your house. Everything was perfect! It was hot outside (more than 35◦ C) and really cool inside. The children and parents enjoyed the swimming pool…We had delicious tomatoes in the garden and lettuce too…We visited a lot of villages and went to Perugia and Assisi… We loved the area and tasted many wines of Tuscany.” Marie-Dominique (France), August 2009
“We had a wonderful time…The house is really nice and the swimming pool also. The children really enjoyed their holidays. We made lots of visits (Florence, Siena, Assisi, Rome… we also went to the beach, quite long). Well, everything was perfect.” Sophie (France), August 2009 “I was about to write to you about our stay at Podere Dadino. We loved it really…Congratulations again on your house. We enjoyed the deer every morning (sometimes also in the evening) and one evening we saw a boar!” Bernadette (Belgium), July-August 2009
“Yes, we liked the house and the lovely area very much. Everything was tops! We really had a great time there.” Ann (Belgium), July 2009
“We had a lovely time in Lucignano the past 14 days. Your house is so beautiful and nice. The region around was the same. We really enjoyed it all!!” Ingrid and Alain (Belgium), July 2009
"We SO LOVED our stay. It was perfect in every way. Your villa is beautiful, charming and whoever said the pictures on the web site don't do it justice was absolutely right. Andrea from the wine shop took us on a tour of 3 local wineries which was unforgettable. The location was the perfect hub to visit Cortona, Sienna, Arezzo, etc. We had Lolita cook for us one night for a special dinner---I could go on and on! The weather was superb. Thank you so much and please feel free to use me as a reference any time!" Linda, June 2009
"We had THE BEST time and your place is magical. You have thought of everything - from the small practical elements to the big beautiful home. Thank you so much for helping make our honeymoon so special. We will be back!!!" Katrina (London), May 2009
"Just a short note to tell you what a wonderful holiday I enjoyed at your beautiful home in Tuscany. My favorite part of the house was the kitchen. To be able to cook in that country kitchen was the most fun I had. ... We made some wonderful risottos, enjoyed all the produce in the area, including the fava beans and baby artichokes. ... You cannot truly experience life in Tuscany until you have this beautiful home of yours which we were so fortunate to occupy for 2 glorious weeks. To come 'home' in the afternoon, cook an authentic local meal, and enjoy good wine with close friends was magic. I have been to Europe many times and this was the best holiday ever." Don, April 2009
"Thank you for making Podere Dadino so much more than simply delightful accommodations in Tuscany; it felt like home from the moment we walked in. I suffered only a tiny bit of guilt that I did not dutifully explore the countryside each and every day, but more often opted for the porch…with wine, a book and good food with good friends; I don’t regret my choices!" Janet, April 2009
"The place is exactly as shown on your website and the grounds surrounding the house are absolutely beautiful. I couldn't have asked for a better place to stay. Lucignano and Monte San Savino are such incredible hill towns to be near for sightseeing and meals. My friends and I allowed ourselves the luxury of spending hours meandering the streets and visiting the little shops in these towns as well as the other places nearby. ... Two of my friends have never been to Italy and are in awe of your place. I told them that not all rentals are comparable to yours (what an understatement) so if they come back, don't expect this quality unless they're planning to rent Podere Dadino." Carol, April 2009
"We had an absolutely lovely time! We said again and again both how beautiful the house is and how incredibly well situated it is. We were able to visit Arezzo, Cortona, Chiusi, Siena, San Gimignano and Volterra, in addition, of course, to Lucignano - what a delightful town that is! The pool was simply wonderful; each day the kids and I (and various other adults at various times) got in at the end of the day. Given the heat, which was high, that time in the pool made all the difference. The house worked perfectly for our two families - our 18 year olds took the guest house, and we divided the upper floor easily for the other 4 adults and 1 child." Anne and friends, August 2008
"When my extended family and friends gathered at Podere Dadino in June 2008 to celebrate my 50th birthday, I knew we would find beautiful Tuscan countryside, as well as amazing sight seeing destinations and restaurants. What we weren’t prepared for was to find a home base as gorgeous, comfortable and well-maintained as this beautifully-appointed villa proved to be. From the comfortable beds to the modern kitchen to the sparkling clean pool, this place is a gem. We have rented vacation homes in Europe for family vacations before, but we have never found a property that not only met, but exceeded our hopes and expectations. Since our visit was scheduled for the warm part of the summer, we spent a good deal of our time splashing around the pool after morning trips to beautiful hill towns followed by long, luxurious lunches in nearby restaurants and wineries featuring the best in Tuscan cuisine and wine. Day trips to Florence and Siena were easy and fun, even for the teenagers in our group. In the evenings, we often grilled vegetables grown in our own garden, along with meats we bought from artisan butcheries on our excursions. If you are planning a relaxing and enriching trip with friends or a multi-generational family like ours, Podere Dadino is an ideal destination." Nanci, Lidia, family and friends, June-July 2008
"Podere Dadino is a very special country home in Tuscany. Close to Florence by car or train, and 15-30 minutes to Arezzo, Siena, Montepulciano, Cortona. Farmers markets nearby, designer clothing outlets, incredible food, beautiful country. A very homey place, completely equipped for eating and sleeping for 10-12. We wholeheartedly enjoyed our three months there and plan to return to enjoy another season - the fall." "The ideal site to experience the joys and delights of Tuscany. A wonderful house to gather with family and friends, to cook, party, or sit in classic country surroundings and enjoy the local wines. We had memorable family parties of 12 that were easily accommodated." Susan and Frank, April-June 2008
"Your home in Tuscany is truly a gem! If we could have painted the picture of what we wanted, we could not have created Podere Dadino's presence, its beautiful surroundings, and the warmth of the home that you have created. We loved it as if it were our home and we all gave ourselves over to that feeling. You have done an outstanding job of making your home into a rental for all to claim as their own...you have provided so much to go on and we loved all the notes on restaurants, sightseeing, and other travel and touring info. The wine shop was just too convenient!!!...I hope that we will return one day and we will definitely tell our friends and family about Podere Dadino. Thank you for making our Tuscany trip one to dream about for years to come." Mary Page, October 2007
"My friends and I (seven women) spent two wonderful weeks at Podere Dadino in early October. The house was even better than we expected. Spacious rooms, comfortable beds with nice linens, attractively furnished living areas, and beautiful grounds. The kitchen was well equipped for cooking and having meals. We spent a lot of time swapping stories and drinking wine at the farmhouse table at the end of each day. The house is located between two charming towns and central to that area of Tuscany. Two of us painted every day while others traveled around to see the sights. Several groups took a train from Arezzo and spent a night in Venice! The restaurants in Lucignano and Monte San Savino were fabulous - didn't have to travel far at night for a super Italian meal. The House Book is chock full of great advice and suggestions, we referenced it often. I hope to return to this home in Toscana with my family next time!" Margaret, October 2007
"The short of it is that we had a fabulous time. The house was perfect - better than you had described or we had imagined. And the location was superb - away from the maddening crowds in Firenze, Siena, etc., but close to Lucignano, Cortona and other great towns...highlights for us included lunches in many beautiful places followed by late afternoons poolside, drives through backroads to Pienza and Cortona, and the best meal of our trip on the terrace at Il Conte Matto in Trequanda...." "We are experienced vacation home renters, and this is really the perfect Tuscan farmhouse. Honestly, the photos on the web do not do it justice. It is situated perfectly, the grounds are a wonderful place for kids to play, the garden produced enormous amounts of raspberries and heirloom-quality tomatoes for us (not to mention zucchini, plenty of herbs, etc.), and the pool was wonderful. The layout of the house is just great, with great contiguous spaces for cooking, dining, and lounging....The only thing we regret is that our stay was only 9 days - we could easily have spent several weeks just in this place, exploring all the lovely towns and other sights." Howard, Batia, and family, August 2007
"In short, the house was great. We all had a terrific stay there...The house itself was even better than I had anticipated. Lots of room; nice touches everywhere; plenty of activities; beautiful grounds, great garden, etc. As noted in the guest journal we made good use of virtually all amenities. This was particularly good for the kids. It was Cole's favorite place in the 5 weeks of our travel. The area is also a great place to be situated in. Lucignano was so close by and such a terrific little town." Chris, Sarah, and family, August 2007
"This was our first holiday in Italy and it certainly won't be our last - Tuscany is absolutely adorable and we all had a wonderful time. Your house is beautiful - very comfortable and spacious, a terrific location and had everything to make our holiday just perfect. We also found your guide notes particularly useful. The weather was very kind to us, sunshine everyday...the pool was very welcoming when we returned from our day trips, normally late afternoon. We had an extremely busy holiday, there is so much to see...Both Lucignano and Monte San Savino were very picturesque and fulfilled essential shopping requirements....Our daughters are 17 and 14 and had a fantastic time - they thoroughly enjoyed the sightseeing and also had lots of fun in the pool...." Colin and family, July 2007
"...let me start by telling you how FANTASTIC this trip has been. The house and grounds are simply wonderful. It is going to be extremely difficult to leave Saturday am...Everyone has been super...Piero [gardener] is so sweet, and the kids just adore him...the garden was great. We enjoyed so many great fresh vegetables...We were there for 5 weeks and LOVED it." Warren, Tori, and family, June and July 2007