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> SlowTrav > Italy > Vacation Rentals > Reviews > Tuscany South Review 317: TuscanHouse, Il Torrino
1bed/2bath tower in Montichiello, Tuscany South WhenMay 25 - June 8, 2002, 2 weeks LocationIl Torrino is in the beautiful, peaceful village of Montichiello, located only a few miles from both Pienza and Montepulciano. It is a tower on the outer wall of the village, overlooking gorgeous Tuscan scenery - rolling hills, fields of poppies and vines, wandering roads lined with cypresses. Nearby AmenitiesIl Torrino is a 5 minute walk from 2 grocery stores, ATM machine, 2 restaurants, a coffee/snack/ice cream bar. Full supermarkets are an easy drive away, but the local grocery stores provided most things. The House/ApartmentThe tower is hundreds of years old on the outside - it forms part of the wall of the town - but has been beautifully renovated and is well-appointed appointed inside. There is a kitchen with a table and chairs, 3 gas burners, a microwave and a fridge, a living room with futon, settee, CD player on the next level up and on the top level is a bedroom with a double bed and a separate full bathroom, as well as stunning views from the windows in all directions. In addition, there is a basement level with washer and dryer and an additional toilet and shower. GardenOutside, pots of rosemary and lavender flank steps up to the second level (there are inside stairs as well) and there is a table and chairs for alfresco dining. There are also rose bushes and other assorted flowers, a bench under a shade tree and spectacular views, all completely private. Furnishings/Cleanliness/Living AreasThe bed was very comfortable, water pressure in the bathrooms and kitchen was good. The futon in the living room is too lumpy to be really comfortable. The whole place was very clean although there were ants and woodlice outside in abundance that occasionally made their way indoors. Bedrooms/BathroomsSee above. It was a real thrill to wake up each morning and look out the windows at the stunning views. KitchenSee above for description. There were plenty of dishes, cutlery, pots and pans, tea towels etc. Though there was no oven, it was possible to cook the pastas and omelettes we wanted. There was also a barbeque outside, though we didn't use it. Problems or BonusesGood - the views - the kindness and helpfulness of our landlord, Paolo. - the friendliness of the people Bad - the persistent presence of the woodlice in the basement bathroom. (See comment below) Agency and Representatives (and price)The agency was excellent - attentive without being intrusive - sent us a helpful package of information on the place and the surroundings before we left home, called to check everything was OK on our second day there, returned the security deposit promptly. The onsite person was the owner, Paolo, who met us at the gates of the town when we first arrived, showed us where to park and how to work everything in the tower, helped us with our cultural interpretations of the region. He was very peronable and spoke splendid English. Do you recommend this vacation rental to others?Yes - I would stay there again and I would recommend it to others. The one suggestion for improvement would be to get more comfortable seating in the living room. I don't know if it's possible to keep the woodlice out of the downstairs bathroom;even though completely harmless, they can be a little off-putting. Things to do in this areaLa Porta restaurant in Montichiello is excellent - helpful staff, very good food. Also, we enjoyed La Cucina di Fiorelle (superb Tuscan zuppa) and Ristorante di Falco, both in Pienza. The most interesting thing to do is drive through the gorgeous countryside, and walk in the beautiful medieval towns that abound. This review is the opinion of a Slow Travel member and not of slowtrav.com. |
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