Without sounding too dramatic, I truly believe that if I had one week to live I …

Without sounding too dramatic, I truly believe that if I had one week to live I would spend it at this villa. True story. I was married at the villa in July 2012 and it was truly the best experience of my life. My close friends and family rented the entire villa, as well some of its sister villa for a week-long wedding celebration. The moment we arrived we fell in love with the stunning views, the beautiful property and our welcoming and gracious hosts. The wedding ceremony and reception took place on the balcony and lawn overlooking the Tuscan hills and there was not one part of the day (or week, really) that was not absolutely perfect. Every corner of the property is like a little dream you just want to keep in your mind and never forget. Each apartment is beautiful, clean and charming. All week we drank wine (lots and LOTS of wine) from the family’s winery on the property, and were given a private tour right before we left. We all had cases of their wine and olive oil shipped back to the US, which we LOVE. The thing that meant the most to me was the care and attention to detail that the host family paid to our us during our stay – from taking care of all our crazy requests (tow trucks, toilet paper, reservations, wine) to literally pruning every last plant by hand so that the place looked perfect for the wedding day. I'm not sure they are used to loud, wild American guests like us, but they treated us like we were royalty the entire time. They even gave me a special wedding gift on my wedding day. Bless their hearts! I truly feel that I left a little bit of my heart there and I can’t WAIT to come back. This is a very special place and one that I hope to come back to time and time again.

There is a certain vision of what Tuscany looks and feels like. That vision is f…

There is a certain vision of what Tuscany looks and feels like. That vision is fully realized at this villa. First and foremost, the service from the owner and family is perfect. This is the home he and his siblings were raised in and they take visible pride in the property. He took the time to give us a tour of their wine and olive production (make sure you purchase a few bottles). Upon our arrival they walked us through the rooms and property and ensured we were comfortable with the accommodations. We shared our itinerary and he explained the best place to take the train (Certaldo) and noted some good restaurants nearby (try the pumpkin stuffed coniglio at Osteria di Casa Chianti). We saw the family around the property throughout the week and were available for us to ask questions. The property and grounds were perfectly manicured. The pool was always clean. We were able to walk to a nearby church and walk around the vineyards. There is an incredible view of the neighboring hill towns. We asked ourselves, why stay at crowded San Gimignano when you have a clear, relaxing view of San Gimignano and all the towers from the villa? The Terrace is incredible. Uninterrupted views of the entire region. Geographically, the Villa is in a perfect location. Just a few minutes from Certaldo, which in its own right is a great exposure to Italian lifestyle (loved the families taking the evening walks with all the kids well past 10pm). We did our grocery shopping and we took train trips to Siena and Firenze from here. We also drove to Volterra, San Gimignano, and Siena. The drives were short and enjoyable (unless the passenger is prone to carsickness - lots of curves!) I could go on and on. Suffice it say - I will never hear about a friend or acquaintance making a trip to Tuscany without recommending this villa. The only regret I have is not taking enough time to relax at the Villa itself. Make those days trips shorter, come back to this place, share some wine out on the lawn or by the pool and stare out across the perfect scene you imagined before arriving.