10/10 Excellent
19 Sept 2018
An excellent place to relax and holiday.
If I had any concerns about this villa it was the low number of reviews on the HomeAway website. My review will hopefully alleviate similar concerns from others. Contact with the villa owner was always answered promptly and courteously. We arrived on 4th September for a 10 night stay and were met by Marinella – the local contact. As Marinella did not speak English, Giancarlo supported with perfect English and gave us his mobile number should we need support.
The villa was spotlessly clean and well prepared. Bedrooms and bathrooms were spacious and a good size. Kitchen equipment was good and the large lounge furnished with traditional furniture was fitting with the house and area. TV is Italian channels only and there’s good reliable wifi. Large secure gardens are well presented and there was an undercover area for our car. The villa maintained a comfortable temperature despite +30deg outside. We spent most of our time in the garden with its lovely mountain views.
The villa is located in a pleasant area surrounded by some good quality properties. The access road is narrow (typical for Italy) but we managed comfortably even with our large car. The local shops and supermarkets are good and we tried some of the local small restaurants’ that were also good and inexpensive. The villa is 5 mins drive from the sea and 10 mins drive from Massa, the nearest big town. We visited Pisa one day however we did not manage to get to Florence or Siena which aren’t too far away. A drive through the local Apuan Alp mountains however is a must with magnificent scenery and sights of the marble quarries. A car is necessary for this area.
Downsides!
None really however we were favourite food for the mosquitoes when sitting outside and were nibbled by the local insects despite the fly screens on the windows. Insect repellent is a must and ‘bite cream’ recommended.
It is worth pointing out that the villa is one of the best we have staying in over many years of villa & French Gite holidays however the marble stairs to the bedrooms are steep so for anyone with mobility issues it is worth taking note.
In conclusion, this is a great place to holiday & relax and certainly has our recommendation.