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Testimonial

Dear Elisa and Valeria,

Thank you for the wonderful welcome to Montepulciano and for the cosy apartment.

This has been a most convenient place from which to walk to “Il Sasso” each day. I will tell my friends about the professionalism of “Il Sasso” and we will recommend your apartment to our family and friend salso.

Kind regards,

 

Loretta

Australia -  Date of stay: November 2014

 

 

Elisa & Valeria,

Our stay in Montepulciano was a Tuscany highlight of our Italy trip.

The apartment was great- well furnished, well centred, quiet, just perfect. We did 2 day trip to Cortona and Montalcino. Both great sites. The tuscan wine is fabulous. All restaurant here were great. Loved Cantina Contucci with Adamo. The coppersmith workshop: store with a real wonder. We visited many churches: San Biagio was amazing. Valeria was a great hostess: a wealth of info. We would come back for a several time when we visit Italy. We’ll recommend this apartment to friends.

We are sad leaving this place as the weather, this site’s people were fantastic!

 

Phil & Ramona

Canada – Date of stay: October 2014

 

 

We have very much enjoyed our stay here on our first trip to Tuscany. Your apartment is delightful, very clean and has everything that we needed. Four days has not been long enough so we plan to return when the weather is a bit warmer and sunnier!

We found the town’s wine cellars amazing for their number and age. Never seen anything like it.

John & Linda

Yorkshire – Date of stay: September 2014

 

 

Grazie mille per l’appartamento perfetto. Abbiamo avuto buona fortuna di essere qui per il Bravio che era molto divertente. Abbiamo mangiato bene.

Thank you for all your very kind help and advice.

We really enjoyed meeting you and hope to return!

Ritorneremo – speriamo!

Tanti auguri a lei.

 

Neil & Pauline

UK – Date of stay: August 2014

 

 

A charming apartment in an excellent location. Elisa’s dining recommendation were spot on, we particularly enjoyed “La grotto”, with San Biagio: the background. We were here for the “Calici sotto le stele” which was great fun. We enjoyed the communal meals. The Contrada’s flag throws and drumming were spectacular.

A visit to the DEI Cantina, a mile or so out of the town, was terrific and the hostess very friendly and helpful. When the new winery is completed it will be quite something.

We followed the “Piero della Francesca” trail and visited Arezzo, Borgo San Sepolcro, Montevarchi and Perugia. Great frescos also at Abbazia Monte Oliveto Maggiore but NB the abbey is closed 12-15.15. Nice swimming at Lago Trasimeno and you can hire bikes to cycle around the lake, at Castiglione.

Several concerts at Palazzo Ricci and Teatro Poliziano – the latter and beautiful 18C theatre.

 

Richard and Maureen

UK - Date of stay: August 2014

 

 

Another enjoyable holiday in Via di Collazzi and Montepulciano. We were pleased to be here for the Piccolo Spingitori (junior barrel race) and the Liberation Day commemoration. Also very pleased to have breakfast and morning coffee at the Caffè Poliziano!

Parking was quite tricky at times. There is lots of competition for spaces directly below here and above San Biagio (the only space that seem to be available around here for non-residence).

 

Rosemary and Andrew

Northants, UK – Date of stay: July 2014

 

 

We have stayed here for a very long time and feel so confortable in this apartment and in Montepulciano. It is wonderful to know such a place and to have such nice people here. With a little bit of luck we will be here again and again.

 

Iman and Thomas

Germany – Date of stay: May-June 2014

 

 

This is a lovely apartment in a great area. Only negative is the WiFi does not work making it difficult to check out restaurants and sites. The bed is really disconfortable. The apartment is well equipped. The ceiling beams are amazing.

We didn’t meet Elisa but her mother is a delight and it was fun trying to understand each other.

Be sure to see Pienza and Monticchiello as it is an easy and spectacular drive.

 

Mike and Sheryl

USA – Date of stay: April 2014

 

 

Enjoyed our stay in your cosy apartment, thank you.

We loved the Val D’Orcia, Siena, Cortona and Orvieto.

Thank you to previous guests for recommending Osteria dell’Acquacheta (Via del Teatro) – the food was great and terrific value; Caffè Poliziano – great coffee and cakes; Osteria La solita Zuppa, Chiusi – amazing ravioli.

We also have discovered highly recommend:

Pienza: Trattoria Latte di Luna – lovely lunch (particularly suckling pig); I Lecci Ristorante – on SP323 between Castiglione d’Orcia and Vivo d’Orcia – the food was fabulous and the view from the terrace (Mt. Amiata) spectacular. NB: Don’t forget to turn left in Vivo d’Orcia if going to San Filippo Bagni – the map had a road missing!

Bagni San Filippo recommended from previous guests for the hot springs waterfalls –they were amazing and easy to find, signpost is Fossobianco when in Bagni San Filippo.

Chianciano Terme, centro storico – Bar Pasticceria – great for ceffee/ light lunch with a view.

We shall definitely return to this part of Tuscany.

 

Julie and Denny

UK – Date of stay: October 2013

 

 

Through showers and sunshine we enjoyed our cozy “home”. Many thanks!

 

Ban and John

UK– Date of Stay: September 2013

 

 

This is our fourth time in Montepulciano but the first time we came by car (via a week in Provence and Santa Margherita Ligure). Having a car meant we were able to visit lots of the little towns and villages in the beautiful Val d’Orcia such as Montalcino, San Quirico d’Orcia, Abbazia di Sant’Antimo, Bagno Vignoni and Bagni San Filippo. We also went further to Monte San Savino and Lucignano and Perugia. We are constantly amazed at the beauty of Tuscany. We arrived in the middle of the Bravio delle Botti, a week-end full of dressed processions with drum beating, flag flying and great excitement. Great fun!

We shall miss our breakfast at Caffè Poliziano and the lovely meals out everywhere. Thank you Elisa and Valeria for another wonderful week, it was a pleasure to meet Valeria’s grandson who took part in the Bravio delle Botti, we made lots of photographs!

 

Mike and Daphne

UK – Date of stay: August 2013

 

I loved going to sleep to the sounds of the Contrada and waking up to the soundtrack of tuba music from above and resting in the afternoon breeze. It’s hard to conceive how it could have been any better.

We loved getting cought up in the pre-palio-nuttiness in Siena on Thusday and having a quite day roaming Pienza and Monticchiello on Friday and all of it. Thank you, thank you.

 

Maggie

USA – Date of stay: August 2013

 

 

Thoroughly enjoyable week in this beautiful little apartment and beautiful town and countryside. Would recommend Osteria del Conte for dinner – staff so friendly and welcoming and food delicious. All the restaurants are very nice though. Had a lovely few trips namely Siena and Pienza – take the bus a lot less stressful than driving.

Thank you Elisa and your mother for all your help and look forward to visiting again.

 

Mary and Pat

Dublin and Manchester – Date of stay: July 2013

 

 

This has been our fourth holiday in the Via di Collazzi. We have had some wonderful sunny days and a couple of amazing thunderstorms too! As well as wondering around Montepulciano (wich is an extremely pleasant way to spend the time), we went to Pienza, Siena, Perugia, San Quirico, Monticchiello, Montalcino, Lucignano, Orvieto and Passignano on lake Trasimeno (this was where we encountered one of the thunderstorms and had to take shelter in the car!). From Montalcino we went to the Romanesque Abbey of Sant’Antimo. This was a new place for us and it really is beautiful. We had an amazing day in Siena. Unknown to us, it was the day after the Palio had been run and we found ourselves in the middle of the victory celebrations in the winning contrada (l’Oca – the Goose). There were people in medioeval costume , flag and drummers- only the winning horse was absent! And we got to Montepulciano just in time  for boys version of the barel-rolling race. We ate at the Quattro Venti on the Piazza Grande – we’ve been going there since our first holiday- and, this time, we discovered the delights of breakfast at the Caffè Poliziano!

We found the rubbish collection confusing. You need a black bag for general householdwaste; another bag for organic food waste; and more than one bag for recycling. We never understood the recycling system and we didn’t have any recycling bags. Different thing are collected on different days, but we couldn’t work that, either. Don’t let this discourage you. Montepulciano is a wonderful place to be!

PS: If you are looking for internet access there’s free wifi in and around the Piazza Grande- there is usually a small crown in the evening with their laptops, tablets and phones. The network name is QRSit and it seems reasonably reliable, though slow sometimes and sometimes inaccessible for a usual incomprehensive reason. The QRSit network also appears at other spots in the town. Another usually reliable network is the free WiFi at the Caffè Poliziano. Again it’s a bit hit and miss.

 

Rosemary and Andrew

UK – Date of stay: July 2013

 

 

Dear Valeria and Elisa,

What a wonderful week we’ve had! The apartment was just perfect for us and so was the town. Our favourite place (besides the apartment) was Piazza Grande where we sat every evening enjoying the atmosphere (our 3-yr old daughter called it “running around square”, she apparently thought it was a wind of stage). Every morning we went for breakfast to Bar Enoteca on Piazza delle Erbe – such a lovely cafè with such lovely pastry (except the car-shaped cookies, the flower-shaped were so much better, says the 3yr old). Good think was also, that it opened already 7am. This was really a holiday, we really took it easy. It was easy to do, as everything we needed was here in the apartment: enough with plates, kettles, pans and so on.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! We hope to come back here!

 

Hanna and Thomas

Finland – Date of stay: June 2013

 

 

Dear Elisa and Valeria,

Your apartment is wonderful, so convenient to all of Montepulciano. We enjoyed our stay immensely. We do plan to return this beautiful city in the future and will want to stay in this apartment again. Both of you were so very helpful and gracious. You made us feel right at home.

 

Byron and Becky

Texas, USA - Date of stay: May 2013

 

 

 

What a lovely little place to stay. It’s been perfect. We’ve really appreciate d your texts and information in particular relating to dentists. And the exceptional “garage” arrangements for the motorbike. All in all a super introduction to Tuscany for us.

PS: All the delight of Montepulciano and Tuscany, yet close enough for a visit to Borgo Panigale, Bologna – the Ducati paradise… nice balance!!

 

Karen & Ian

UK, Date of stay: May 2013

 

 

Dear Elisa and Valeria,

What a joy has been returning to Montepulciano and your lovely apartment. Valeria gave us a good recommendation: we loved Osteria del Conte (+ we always enjoy Osteria dell’Acquacheta). We enjoyed the tour of La Foce, had wonderful sojourns into the countryside, + fee this has been a perfect chance to relax + appreciate. We hope to hear that Elisa has a new child by now!

 

PS: For future visitors: we found free WiFi in Piazza Grande.

 

Ted and Annie

Ireland – Date of stay: March 2013

 

We had a wonderful 2 weeks at this amazing apartment. It was such a delight to meet Valeria plus picking us up. Enjoyed the walks to San Biagio, the view from the park down the steps – great place for “plein air” painting, touring the many other hill towns.

Hiking to Montefollonico and Monticchiello were great walks. Exploring Montepulciano was great fun. The wine tasting was more fun. Our favorites were Talosa, Contucci, Redi and Ercolani. The only disappointment was the 3euro charge for the terrace at the Palazzo del Comune. You can get much better views from the city walls. Save your 3 euro for wine and food.

Elisa at the I was incredibly helpful, an amazing source of information. Thanks Elisa and Valeria for sharing your place. A great place to stay. I hope we can come back soon.

 

Sandy and John

Colorado, USA – Date of stay: October 2012

 

We have thoroughly enjoyed our 10 days in this charming apartment. The views across the valley in the mornings were mystical and the sunsets stunning!

Touring the backroads of Tuscany was our aim and we drove at reasonable leisure, taking photographs along the way.

All in all a wonderful experience!

 

David and Jacqui

NSW, Australia – Date of stay: October 2012

 

 

Elisa & Valeria,

What more can be said! We have loved the apartment. So relaxing after Rome and Siena.

Thank you.

 

Kate and Barry

Cornwall, UK – Date of stay: October 2012

 

 

Thank you Elisa and Valeria for providing such a cozy, well appointed apartment. We didn’t use all the dishes but we appreciated having such a lovely choice for our breakfasts and dinners. We loved the coffee maker which make 2 cups of coffee, the breezes that cross the apartment in a.m.

We took full advantage of the proximity to the wonderful Tuscan towns which are nearby (Pienza, Montis, Cortona). Also explored Chianti. Florence too. Just love driving on the hilly countryside, through small towns. I think I have finally got the knack of the round abouts! J

Our first memories of culinary experiences are out of Montepulciano but we really enjoy ‘Al Tocco’ (located behind beside the Cathedral).

Thanks for sharing your special place in paradise!

 

Angela and Rob

Toronto, Canada – Date of stay: September 2012

 

 

What a charming apartment! It couldn’t be better placed: we have thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Montepulciano, the delights of Tuscany and Umbria. An especial thank you to Valeria for the patience following our extended delay at Rome airport.

Tack så mycket!!

 

Christine and Soren

Sweden – Date of stay: September 2012

 

 

Thank you Valeria and Elisa for another perfect week in your lovely apartment, so full of character. It is the third time we have been and we feel very at home here. Montepulciano and the Tuscan countryside are so beautiful.

Thank you so very much Valeria for meeting us at the bust station! We have had another wonderful week and we are sad to be leaving. Lots of love.

 

Mike and Daphne

England – Date of stay: September 2012

 

 

Elisa e Valeria,

come sempre il soggiorno a Montepulciano è stato favoloso. L’ospitalità, il cibo, il vino, i luoghi da visitare, il calore della gente… tutto perfetto.

La vostra casa è stata molto accogliente. Grazie per la vostra disponibilità.

A presto.

 

Donatella e Alessandro

Italy – Date of stay: August 2012

 

 

A wondeful journey!

La region est superbe et les habitantes tres sympathiques. Quelles belles couleurs et quelles belles eglises! N’oubliez pas d’aller a San Giminiano, Pienza, Torrita di Siena, Siena, Arezzo… e tutti i quanti.

Gracie Mille

 

Sylvie

Belgique – Date of stay: August 2012

 

 

Agreable sejour dans cet appartement charmant, au calme, bien situe pou visiter les environs. La Toscane est une tres belle region, notamment cette partie sud, peut etre mains comme que les grandes villes mains tout aussi remarquable.

 

Christine and Alain

France – Date of stay: August 2012

 

 

Dear Valeria and Elisa,

This charming and confortable apartment was a wonderful place to spend a week and get familiar with the beautiful town of Montepulciano. We enjoyed very much our side trip tp Pienza, Montalcino, Chiusi  and just driving in the beautiful countryside. Everything in the apartment was perfect! It might be good to put a screen on the kitchen window. We had a little cat come visit us a few times.

Grazie mille.

 

Beatrice & Al

California, USA – Date of stay: July 2012