Testimonial

May 20, 2002

Tuscan Earth,
Vineyard and olive-grove owners offer luxury lodgings to visitors

Finding a charming place to stay in Tuscany has long posed a choice between a castle in the countryside or a hotel in a historic city. But to get closer to the fruits of the Tuscan earth, a visitor can now head straight to the farm. Agriturismo lodgings - long popular among Italian vacationers - are adding luxury accommodations and attracting upscale foreign visitors. Some of the best of these establishments can be found on the winding road between Arezzo and Siena, in a slice of the Chianti region that has been turning out fine wine and olive oil for centuries.
Local property owners have... >> TIME website

Visit Tenuta di Lupinari

May 17-18, 2003

Opera on the menu

While holidaying in Italy recently, a highlight was staying in a beautiful villa in a little village called Donnini, just 30 kilometers from Florence. The owner, Sandro, is a local baker and amateur opera singer, antique collector and decorator. He held a special dinner in the villa for us and some interesting and friendly locals and he sang opera between courses prepared by two chefs. We dressed in the costumes we wore in the Tiepolo Ball at the Venice Carnival and lent a mask to Sandro singing and view the beautiful villa at his web site.
Visit Casa del Forno

February 01, 2003

Retreat of the week

Fancy a villa in Tuscany that's not at the end of a dirty track in the middle of nowhere? Then try Casa del Forno in the village of Donnini, 20 Kilometers south east of Florence. The three-bed roomed, antique-filled villa is hidden from view, and with its own big pool overlooking the hills, but its just steps from the centre of the village where the owner, Sandro, is the local baker. In his spare time, he's a fine tenor singer, and guest who book for a two-week stay get a six-course meal one evening, with Sandro singing in between courses. There's another big plus to this pink villa - it's just 20 minutes' drive from a top Italian designer factory outlets where Prada, Gucci and all the rest can be had a big discounts.
Visit Casa del Forno

Case di Campagna November 2004

This farmhouse is of basic design and has an inconspicuous facade; an outside staircase reminds you of its farming days; all around are the rolling hills of one of the worlds most beautiful regions. In the sweet Tuscan land, this farmhouse is a fine example of country architecture, which without betraying its roots, has measured itself against new living needs to become a residence brimming with charm. Dating to the late eighteenth century, this farmhouse in the Arezzo countryside was restored in the 1980s. traces of the past can still be seen. Outside there is a stone staircase that was once the way to go upstairs Visit Villa La Collina

Visitors' Book

"Paradise was lost" however we rediscovered it once more here at LA SELVA Giardino del Belvedere. A fantastic family holiday for 12 enjoyed under Tuscan azure skies, your friendliness and warm hospitality helped make our holidays complete. Thank you Anna e Maria for the excellent food.

Victoria
Seattle, WA, USA

We came, we saw, we relaxed . . . .

The villa was a perfect fit for our family gathering of 11, as we spent our days breathing in the sweet scents of the Tuscan beauty, and our nights bonding with our family under the warm evening breezes of Italian skies. The Chianti region was savored via the fruits of the queued vines and enhanced our Tuscany experience. The fun we found between our groups was multiplied by the lovely surroundings.

The International Pettits family
Florida, California, Australia, UK

Three family gathered under the hospitality of your beautiful home and the warm Tuscan sun; friendships extended and grew and our sense of the world as well. We loved the beauty of the art and architecture and history, but the wonder of the wine and food and memories created will be what we remember most.

Was an amazing number of days.
Grazie mille e ciao,

Larry, Alisa, David and Stephanie Roe
London, UK

Thank you so very much for a wonderful week in the beautiful Tuscan sun.
We, as Italian - Americans have truly enjoyed coming back to "our roots".
Your home is so lovely, a week is just not enough time to see your beautiful country. We thank you for making our stay so memorable.
From the delicious dinner the first night to our last walk through your hills, everything was wonderful. Ciao

Salvatore, Paula, Nicole Pupillo
New York, USA

Your country home is wonderfully relaxed. The birds sing every morning and evening. The stars at night are beautiful. It is so very relaxing and peaceful here. A wonderful spot to come "home" to after a day of exploring. Maria is a wonderful and delightful cook and enjoyed meeting your family. Thank you for your hospitality

Kim Butler
Nevada, USA

Sandro,
You, your villa, your village and the Tuscan scenery have made me want to be
Italian!
Words cannot thank you enough for your warmth and welcome
Thank you SO much"

Patricia O'Hare Belfast,
N. Ireland April 2003

"Here with friends, and two babies under two, we had the most incredible
week.... Great relaxation, particularly lucky with the weather, fresh warm
bread every morning, chilled white wine on the terrace every evening....and
an evening of fine food and 'bel canto' which we will remember for a long
time. The experience has totally surpassed our high expectations and met
our anticipation head-on...Grazie Sandro per un'esperienza straordinaria che
non dimenticheremo mai!"

Ado, Louise and Kate Carton Dublin,
Ireland May 2003

"Thank you, thank you, thank you for making us feel welcome and at home.
Italy is very beautiful but you truly brought out the beauty of the Tuscan
people and its countryside by your hospitality and kindness. You extend a warmth to everyone!
Your concert was bravissimo and the highlight of the trip. How lucky we
were to have found this villa...Thank you again for a memorable vacation..we
hope we can return"

Daniele and Edwyn Easton,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Miriam and Albert Katz,
Toronto Canada

Marcia and Carl Turetsky,
New York September 2002

"We have searched, we have hoped, we have found!....What a great place, what
great people - a perfect mix! From the bottom of our Chianti-soaked hearts
we thank you for an experience that exceeded even the best parts of our
wildest dreams. The villa, the wonderful banquet, the food,..... sublime but
when Sandro illuminated the warm Tuscan evening with his voice we truly knew
we were somewhere special.....you made our holiday one to treasure!

Marc Hinton,
New Zealand June 2002

"Sandro you must be the happiest and most fulfilled man in Italy..your
talents include making so many people happy.
You made US happy (and a bit heavier!) with the marvelous creations from the Forno. We shall miss your walnut bread (but my doctor will be happy that
you are in Italy and I'm in America!) You thrilled us with your
magnificent talent for singing. You are a Bel Canto Tenor Supremo! The
dinner and concert was the ultimate highlight of our six weeks in Italy.
You made us feel welcome and you gave us your friendship...How can we say
"Thank You"? Grazie mille,mille.

Ken and Carol
Lassiter Florida USA

Sitting here on the wonderful terrace . watching the sunset over the Tuscan hills, a glass of Chianti and a bowl of Sandro's cantucci by my side - who could ask for more?

Margaret & Kenneth Wrigley
Cheshire, England

Over the years we have stayed in villas all over Europe. Casa del Forno is, without doubt, the most comfortable, elegant and tasteful we have ever stayed in. Sandro's hospitality only added to our pleasure - and a special highlight was to hear him sing . a memorable evening. Many Thanks.

Ian & Maureen Williamson
Northumbria, England

Thank you Sandro for providing us with a wonderful holiday in your exquisite villa and for your friendliness that we have not experienced elsewhere. You have obviously gone to a great deal of trouble in the design and furnishing of Casa del Forno. The result is everything that anyone could desire.

Clive & Lisa Miles
Berkshire, England

We highly recommend the Casa as a Winter holiday location - a beautiful home and a comfortable retreat on the crisp cold days. Sandro's welcoming gifts and lovely Christmas decorations got us in the mood for the festive season.

Mary & David
Brisbane, Australia

Sandro - your singing is as nourishing to the soul as your baking is to the body.

Kate Fortney

Thank you Sandro for a vacation to remember. The Villa, the bread and the evening of food and music - Magic!!

Rhonda & Dave Prince
Ontario, Canada

Casa del Forno is my favourite Tuscan retreat and still as beautiful and relaxing in the height of Winter as in the Summer! Highly memorable and so well positioned for Gucci and Prada too!!

Yasmin Sethner
London, England

This wonderful villa has been a delightful retreat at the end of the day - and what a wonderful view at daybreak . the mist rising up the valley as you breathe in the freshest air. This is January - it must be even more breathtaking in Summertime.

The late Jill Dando
London, England