Podere Il Doccio - Terranuova Bracciolini, Italien

Tolles Ambiente, das Bett wie die Jacuzzi ist für verliebte Paare ideal! Die Patrones sind supernett, eine Unterhaltung und ein Gläschen Wein im Vorbeigehen waren immer drin. Die Terasse war genau so genial wie das Streaming unseres Lieblingssenders über WLAN. Franz und Petra Pirmasens, Germany.

[English translation courtesy of Easy Reserve] Great atmosphere, the bed as well as the Jacuzzi are ideal for couples in love! the owners are very kind: by a flying visit a chat and a glass of wine were always included. The terrace was as excellent as the programs of our favorite channel via WLAN.

Perfect tuscan appartment with charm and amenities. Warm welcome from owners on site. Pool and spa area perfect to relax after discovering the area. Cooking lesson with Marina and Gulio was a blast and finally having supper with the family was the perfect final touch! Will rent again, no problems!

Had a great holiday, the flat is nice, the bedrooms are large, although the kitchen and living area are narrower. But the terrace is enormous and really peaceful and pretty. Good pool and nice owners.

Spending at Podere Il Doccio proved itself to be one of the best holiday options we've ever taken. First and foremost there are Marina and Francesco - the owners - and their family. Unbelievably generous, kind and loving people. Then there is the property - beautiful. isolated, tranquil, inspiring and inducing peace of mind.

This property was the ideal place to relax and get a nice taste of Italian life and culture. As long as you have a car, there is easy access to major sites and Florence. Thoroughly enjoyed the place, including the pool! Its a little hard to find But once you arrive, you can easily spend a week exploring the area and taking in the scenery.

We had a lovely 10 days at this very typical Tuscan property. The young children were totally smitten with the pool and we enjoyed the peace and pleasant surroundings. The property is very private although there were other guests but the setting lends itself to privacy, having said that we were easily able to get to large supermarkets etc and central for the main tourist destinations. Christine S Wiltshire, England

Een rustige accomodatie. Keurig net appartement & zeer mooi gelegen in de natuur. De huiseigenaren zijn super gastvrij & erg behulpzaam. Binnen 10 minuten bevindt men zich weer in de bewoonde wereld. Een echte aanrader voor mensen die graag tot rust willen komen, maar ook van cultuur houden; 45 min (trein) gelegen vanaf Florence, 45 min gelegen vanaf Siena etc etc....

[English translation courtesy of Easy Reserve] A quiet accommodation. Neat and clean apartment superbly situated in the nature. The owners are super friendly and very helpful. Within 10 minutes, you are back in civilization. Highly recommended for people who would want to relax, but also love the culture, 45 minutes (train) from Florence, 45 minutes from Siena, etc etc. ...

What an amazing place! My wife and I just spent our honeymoon in Casa Ametista, for 11 days. It was absolutly perfect! The location is great, about 8 minutes from town, off the main road, no traffic. The property itself has all you need; rustic, authentic charm combined with the necessary modern-day amenities. A full kitchen-our best meals were the ones made at home, enjoyed with local chianti on our private terrace! The owners are incredibly helpful and friendly and the cooking lesson was a highlight of the trip. I would recommend this villa to anyone-it was perfect!

Mike G. Nova Scotia, Canada

we had a very good stay at podere il doccio (ocra). it is a well equipped comfortable stay. The owners are terrific, very kind and helpful. we enjoyed the wine tasting and cooking experience...

when you do not like dogs at all, it is not a good idea to visit podere il doccio. the internet connection in casa ocra is not so good... only works properly at the bedroom window.

We hebben een prima verblijf gehad in de "Podere Il Doccio". Samen met een andere familie hebben we kunnen genieten van het mooie zwembad en dito omgeving. De huisjes waren heel gerieflijk en verzorgd.
De streek is, zoals genoeg bekend, prachtig: In Firenze was het weliswaar over de koppen lopen, maar Siena, Pisa, Lucca en andere steden waren "doenbaar". Ook culinair was het een topper met een wijnproef en leuke restaurantjes in de buurt.
Een echte aanrader voor iedereen die op zoek is naar rust, cultuur en een prachtige omgeving.

[English translation courtesy of Easy Reserve] We had a great stay at the "Podere Il Doccio". Together with another family we enjoyed the beautiful pool and area. The cottages were very comfortable and cared for.
The region is as well known enough, beautiful: In Florence it was crowded, but Siena, Pisa, Lucca and other towns were "doable". Also, it was a culinary excellence with a wine tasting and nice restaurants nearby.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for peace, culture and beautiful scenery.

We booked this at the very last minute and were very thankful we did! The property is in a very peaceful setting with a wonderful pool and hot tub area. We stayed in "Casa Terra' and it was perfect for a couple. The villa is well located to explore Tuscany- we took our bikes and after the tough ride up the drive the area was amazing to explore! The owners provide an excellent local guide and the restaurant recommended was stunning. We had the cooking lesson on our last night and it was easily the best experience of the holiday- a real Italian meal you help to cook eaten with the family. Many thanks to Marina and Francesco!

We loved this villa, inside and out. The colors and textures were exactly what we love about Tuscany and wanted to experience. The furnishings were wonderful and comfortable, too. Marina and Francesco were delightful and friendly, checking up on us periodically to see how the sightseeing day went or if there was anything we needed. They gave good recommendations for places to visit (when we asked) and then the best way to get there. The pool was great for our three kids, to give them something to do when they were tired of sightseeing. We spent a very laid-back three days and wished we had longer for the whole experience. (The directions to the villa were a little bit hard to follow at first, but that was because we didn't yet know how to follow Italian directions and road signs. Once you know that, it's easy!) We would definitely go back.

Excellent location with easy access to other towns and local infrastructure and shops. Car necessary. Owner's dogs are friendly but get up (ie bark) very very early (in hunting season I'm told). Friendly and helpful owners. Great cooking leason and subsequent dining with the family of the owners. The property lived up to expectations.

There were five adults in our party and we had a wonderful time during our stay. Whether it was traveling to the various sites or just lounging around the time spent was very relaxing and to be able to return to a comfortable and quiet place was ideal.

A good stay in all although we never were offered the cooking lesson or meal as advertised.Also villa cold even in the middle of summer so any time out of summer would be freezing and the cost charged for heating is unbeleivable so keep this in mind if you are on a budget.

We stayed at Podere Il Doccio Casa Terra for 2 weeks in the end of August 2010. We had great time in this quiet and peaceful surrounding, enjoyed the swimming pool and nice and quiet evenings outside. Marina and Francesco are very caring and hospitable, the cooking lesson and the meal with the family was great experience. The place is conviniently located to reach most of the Tuscany's attractions by car or train and equipped with everything you need during holidays. There are a lot of shops nearby and really nice restaurants. Do not miss to visit Loro Ciuffena and beautiful small Gropina nearby. Marina and Francesco - thank you! Patrycja, Jarek and Michalina, Poland

Prachtige vakantie gehad!
Heel mooi verblijf, zeer goed gelegen om Toscane te verkennen.
Zeer sympathieke gastheer en gastvrouw!
Mooi en groot zwembad, heel verzorgd!

[English translation courtesy of Easy Reserve] Had a wonderful holiday!
Very nice property, very well located for exploring Tuscany.
Very friendly host and hostess!
Beautiful and large swimming pool, looked after very well!

We stayed the last week of June and loved our visit. Podere Il Doccio, Casa Ocra is located in a wonderful area surrounded by woods, grape vines, and a running stream. It's in a secluded area which makes it quiet and peaceful. Town is close-by, approximately five miles away which has restaurants, gas, and transportation connections. Our villa had all the comforts of home including WiFi, and a great outdoor porch.

We had a fabulous stay location is very handy yet rural. Could be a little cold at night if you visit out of high season our stay early June could have done with extra blankets.

Beautiful, quintessential Tuscan property! Rolling hills, vineyards, olive trees, small villages, good food and wine! If you want a peaceful vacation yet close to the bigger cities, you'll like this villa...

We had the most lovley holiday in in casa Ametista. Our hosts were wonderful and helped us get around by giving us great tips. They thought of all the small details to make our vacation perfect. We got a baby bed for our 2YO, a potty and toys which was very thoughtful. We enjoyed a lovely cooking lesson and dinner with the host which is also a memorable experience. If we go back to Toscana we are sure to come back to Podere Il Doccio. The location was great- close to many atractions but also very quiet and peaceful. Thnak you for a lovely holiday!!! Elizabeth and Eran, Israel

A wonderful place to stay! A car is a must but this is a great place to stay to visit the local villages and towns of Tuscany. Ask for directions to Iper Coop, a great store to buy what you need to cook your own Italian feast. The cats and dogs were a pleasure to have around, they kept us entertained as we sat out each evening on our patio drinking some of the delicious wine from the vineyard. Thank you Marina and Francesco for your warm hospitality. Scott/Veronica - Oman

We had a wonderful time and can recommend Il Doccio to anyone. Please take the cooking lesson!

This is a simply lovely place to stay, particularly if you've got kids. It is a family-run establishment, run by Marina and Francesco, who could not be more welcoming. Marina teaches Tuscan cooking for a living and part of the experience is the offer of a Tuscan cookery course, followed by a traditional Italian evening meal with the family!

The facilities are lovely and homely apartments, each with a private area. There are all the cooking implements, plates, dishes, tools you could wish for. Bedrooms are good sixe and in our apartment there was choice of 2 showers. There is a simply lovely communal swimming pool sunk into the middle of a large grassy area which is lovely to sit at and perfect for keeping an eye on the kids. We couldn't improve on the experience if we tried! Thanks you, so much, Marina and Francesco (and your kids) for a simply perfect experience and we would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone!

Podere Il Doccio was such a fantastic property! We stayed in Villa Terra- and really enjoyed the huge terrace, lovely bedrooms and very handy kitchen! The location was fantastic although a little hard to find! It was a great base for driving around Tuscany- although we loved the villa so much that we didn't really want to go out! The property owners, Marina and Francesco were really great. We loved our cooking class with them- and having dinner with, and meeting the family. We will definitely be back!

Owners were extremely gracious and helpful, and were right next door!

Francesco and Marina could not have been more welcoming and friendly. They really made us feel at home, and their cookery lesson was superb. We even took part in their annual grape harvest!

The Villa is ideally located for country walks, visits to nearby villages and towns. It is a really tranquil setting, away from the city bustle, for those that like that sort of holiday. There are good restuarants and other shopping facilities nearby.

Podere Il Doccio was perfect for our family of four--us & 2 teenagers! The area is just breathtaking, and the villa was so welcoming & comfortable when we returned from a busy day exploring the sites of Italy. The location is wonderful because it is peaceful, quiet, and relaxing, yet convenient to the autostrada and a train station. It truly was our home away from home during our vacation! It was so nice to come back and relax on the terrace, under the stars, with a delicious glass of Franceso & Marina's wine!

Owners Francesco & Marina are most helpful, and provided us with wonderful recommendations for area restaurants, markets, and driving directions! This was a vacation we will not forget, and we hope to return again someday.

And Abby & Lucia.....we can't thank you enough for your prompt and
helpful service. You answered all of our questions, and we found
everything just as you had described/suggested! We would recommend
your service to anyone who is looking to rent a property in Italy.
We hope to do business with you again in the future.

The only "downside" to the villa, however, is the very long, bumpy, and partially unpaved driveway to the property....takes getting used to after driving up & down several times!

recommended from any point of view. Staying in this house and being hosted by the owners of th villa really gaves a touch of the real Italy and Tuscany.

It is centrally located to see many sites in the Tuscany area. The family at the property couldn't be nicer and they speak excellent english. Having a cooking lesson and spending the evening with the family was on the top of our highlights of the trip. It was hard to find a great meal after the one we had with them. Marina is an excellent cook and the family is fantastic!

Our stay at Podere Il Doccio was very enjoyable -- quiet location away from public roads, but close to many Tuscan attractions (easy to visit Florence by train, and easy drives to Cortona, Sienna, Assisi, etc.) Situated in beautiful Tuscan countryside (vineyards, olive groves, etc.), close to some nice mountain areas.

Marina and Francesco were wonderful hosts -- a highlight of our trip to Italy was Marina's cooking class, and especially the ensuing dinner with their family (complete with wine, olive oil and grappa that they had produced.) Very charming people, very helpful and friendly!

The nearby towns offer a number of nice Tuscan restaurants -- Osteria del Acqualina (very close by) is truely outstanding, and Ostorio Il Canto del Maggio (nearby in Penne) is also excellent. Il Solito Posto in Terranuova was good as well.

In the interests of "truth in advertising", it should be noted that if your ideal is a plush villa with a panoramic view over the Tuscan countryside, Podere Il Doccio may not be for you. It is a rustic (but nicely remodeled and furnished) old house located about a km down a one-lane gravel road, in a deep valley on a small stream. It has a very nice setting in the midst of a wooded area, adjacent to a small vineyard, and very quiet and peaceful - but no "long" view.

Beautiful area with some great small villages nearby and some scenic drives. The property owners were hard to track down to ask questions and get help from. Kitchen/Dining area very small and the bed is uncomfortable.

Without a doubt the villa makes for an excellent break, where one can do as much or as little as you'd like. So good are the facilities at the property, you could spend a week by the pool, being completely lazy. Alternatively, with the great location, you can really use the area and explore all around. You really can make of the break what you want.

Francesco and Marina are the most talented and gracious hosts. They went out of their was to help with travel, directions and suggestions. The cooking class and dinner was an unexpected highlight; the Il Doccio chianti a treat. We will return (but not in July)!

Had a lovely relaxing week at Podere Il Doccio. Casa Ocra was perfect for our family of four with the extensive balcony facilitating hours of eveving enjoyment. The poool area is great for families with space for other activities such as frizbee or football in addition to the great swimming facilities.

completo

What a beautiful property set in an amazing environment, the sort of place you never want to leave. We only had a week and this definitely wasn't long enough! We went with friends and didn't go out in the evenings as had two very young children with us, instead we made the most of the shared bbq facilities, eating on the veranda and drinking the farms chianti - heaven! The owners were lovely and if we weren't in their gorgeous pool we were out visiting nearby cities such as Florence and Sienna. A very good time was had!

The property was delightful, and the owners were wonderful! Next time we'll tour less and spend more time enjoying the villa and it's offerings!

The villa was quiet, clean and authentic - and exceeded our expectations. The main areas we wished to visit were all within driving distance. The area was very pretty with the hills as a backdrop and very quiet and peaceful

Les propriétaires sont charmants et nous sommes très satisfaits de notre séjour dans la villa.

Once again we had a wonderful two week holiday at Il Doccio. This is now the third two week holiday we have had at this beautiful place over the past five years. Marina, Francesco and family made us most welcome and despite the fact we have now visited three times, we have found new places to visit. Francesco has been extremely helpful in advising us of where to go and what to see.

Il Doccio is well placed to visit Sienna, Florence, and Arezzo. We also have had great pleasure walking in the hills and and Frecesco has advised us how to drive high into the hills (several thousand feet) along the white roads. We have walked along the ridges many times and particularly at the cross and communication station. We were amazed to find wild horses and pure white cattle at the summit.The views are amazing.
We really did enjoy the Tuscan cooking lessons run by Marina. It was great to prepare a truely Italian meal for several hours and then enjoy eating it under the stars with with Marina and Francesco. All washed down with red wine produced from their vinyard. The swimming pool at Il Doccio is simply glorious and each time we have visited we went for a swim before breakfast and on returning from visits to the hills and towns.

Francesco, Marina and family are really lovely people and their vinyard at Il Doccio is simply glorious. We have enjoyed every minute of the time we have spent at this beautiful place.
 

Great location in the country. I little hard to find, but well worth it.