La Villetta, I Tallini
Review Submitted: March 1, 2010
Date of Stay: April 2009
We have been coming to La Villetta (both upstairs and downstairs) for over 10 years now, both in high and low season. It is a wonderful place from which to explore the area. The old stone building has a real sense of belonging. Repeated visits have not dulled our pleasure at staying in this wonderful art of Italy. It gives easy access to lots of beautiful villages, towns and cities – you can simply drown in Renaissance culture. But another real joy of La Villetta is its location in the Pratomagno hills. Views are stunning – olives, vines, forests, terraces cut into the hillside. The air is fresh, actually wonderful. There are abundant walks, either cross country or along the road. The light changes almost continually so there is always more to catch the eye. You can step out of the back door, straight into the countryside. 15min of walking will get you to Cascia with various amenities and a fine ristorante (Massacio); 30min to Regello, famed for its olive oil – both have butchers, supermarkets, bars, gelateria, etc. 30min downhill is an excellent pizzeria (I Laghi). It is odd that somewhere with such easy access feels so beautifully rural. The neighbours have various small holdings and it is interesting to see them tending to their market gardens, their olives and vines. They have all been very friendly. 20min walk gets you to a Medici villa, Villa Mandri. The point is that you can drive to Florence, Siena, the Chianti hills or wherever and hit the sights - or change the whole emphasis of your holiday and stay put. Inside, La Villetta has everything that we have needed. The website is very accurate so there is no need to repeat the amenities here. But the air conditioning is a boon in the Summer and provides ready warmth in Spring. We tend to cook – the produce round about (different cuts of meat, fantastic seafood, greenery, etc) makes you want to experience it - and there is everything on hand in the house for this. Outside there is also a barbecue area and a private well tended garden for enjoying the views or for meals. The Pritchards are immensely thoughtful in their instructions, selection of guide books, etc. The visitor book also gives lots of handy tips covering most of any activities to which you may want to put your holiday. We cannot recommend La Villetta highly enough. Our one reservation in writing this, selfishly, is that your booking might make it more difficult for us to return!
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