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Review not verified by RentalSystems* (Submitted: 8 Aug 2010)
We really enjoied our stay at Casina di Rosa. The house was very nice (and now, after the rennovation it seems to have become even nicer, looking at the pictures). Perfect for a stay in the summer for two people (of for three I guess).
The cooking lessons with Gloria were also fun, and I learned how to prepare some local dishes. My husband appreciated that too! Well, the result, as he was motorcycling during the lessons...
From that location we have made together several trips by motor - to Siena, to the hills, to Montalcino... there is lots to do!
Review not verified by RentalSystems* (Submitted: 8 Aug 2010)
When we were planning our vacation to Italy, we found the website for Casina di Rosa. It interested us immediately ... I mean, in an authentic small village, living in the community, with all the comforts of home - or at least we hoped. And it was absolutely that, and much more.
Gloria and Marcel were gracious and welcoming when we arrived. Immediately we felt comfortable and assured that everything we read on the website was accurate. The home was comfortable will all that we needed to settle in. It quickly felt like home for us.
We used this spot to do day trips to Florence, Sienna and other locations on our list of exploring. There's a real benefit to having a 'home' to come back to after a day exploring beautiful areas in Tuscany. And on those days that we decided to stay 'home,' walking about the village was a nice and quiet way to spend time. The community was very friendly, and patient with us as we scanned through our Italian-English dictionary. (And to try to review that wonderful restaurant ... well, words couldn't describe. It as absolutely delicious - a great recommendation.)
I'd have to say that this was one of the best vacations we have ever taken. (I felt homesick when I returned back to Canada!) Gloria and Marcel provided a great information package to start our visit off with, and a wonderful introduction to pasta and olive oil for our first supper!)
Thanks for a wonderful stay, Gloria and Marcel. It was by far, a perfect experience for us and we do hope to come back some day and toast the new renovations.
Ciao ... Wendy & Ron, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Review submitted by Robert from Leysin, Switzerland (Submitted: 3 Jul 2007)
Gloria and Marcel were wonderful hosts. The house is well equipped, the kitchen had everything we needed to do any cooking we desired, and the location was very central and good to use as a base to explore the area. The little village of Civitella was charming with a very good restaraunt and several little shops that one could purchase whatever you needed. We also highly recommend the wine and olive oil tour with their friend, Carlo. It was a full day tour and included two vinyards an olive oil press and a tasty lunch. At 70 euro per person, it was less than half the price of other tours we looked at. Carlo was a charming and knowledgeable guide and it was a great day.
Review not verified by RentalSystems* (Submitted: 4 Jan 2007)
Excerpts from reviews published by our guests on travel websites.
"Location was in the country - beautifull small village called Civitella Maritima near Grosseto and Siena. Very nice location in a small house. Beautiful area, beautiful people, beautiful country. [...] The little house is a typcal Italian house, very fresh in summer, very quiet and peaceful. We were the only tourists in the neigbourhood, regional neighbours were very kind."
(Review by Fabienne from France)
"The location of Casina di Rosa is fantastic. It is in a very small village south of Siena. Civitella Marittima still retains the true essence of Italy and has not been spoilt by tourism. The people are friendly from the owners to the shopkeepers and the lady who waved each morning from a nearby window. Civitella Marittima is also well located for visiting other places in Tuscany. In our week long stay we visited Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pisa, Lucca, Pienza, Castiglione della Pescaia and Siena. Each morning we strolled up the hill to the local bakery. We bought tomatoes and mozzarella at the local dairy and the restaurant that Gloria and Marcel recommended was great. (La Locanda nel Cassero) But we have to say our favourite was the pasta shop that made the most wonderful Truffle salsa. We really enjoyed cooking in the kitchen at Casina di Rosa.The building was beautiful and immaculate inside. The village is very peaceful. We spent most of the time in the kitchen or on the seats outside the front door. But the whole house was very good, especially for the price!!"
(Review by Carleen and Richmond from New Zealand)
"Casina di Rosa sits just on the edge of the center of the hilltop village of Civitella Marittima in southern Tuscany, just 35 minutes south of Siena. The house itself sits at the intersection of two streets, but motorized traffic is rare, though foot traffic more common and it was always a pleasure to greet passers-by, if we happened to be sitting out on the little terrace. It is in a residential neighborhood, with an approximate two minute walk up to the center of town and the "business area." There are lovely town and countryside views (particularly from the bedroom window)and the glow of the rising morning sun on the surrounding buildings, with the swallows circling overhead is not to be missed. Civitella itself, is perfectly located for day trips to a myriad of Central and Southern Tuscany sites and has quick and easy access to the main north-south highway in the area. [...] The furnishings are wonderful, a mixture of old and newer, all in excellent shape and exactly in character with the house. The house is perfectly suited for two people, with an eat in kitchen with three chairs and two comfortable love seats in the sitting room. The house is spotless.The good "surprises" we had already gotten wind of by reading the reviews on this website, but they were still so very nice to experience! [...] We arrived at the house escorted by our wonderful hosts, Gloria and Marcel, to find a gift basket set up on the kitchen table, with wine, pasta and sauce, a meal ready to put together! A fresh bottle of delicately hued (and delicious!) olive oil from Gloria's fathers olives awaited our taste buds. [...] The dresser in the bedroom displayed a vase of beautiful, fragrant, fresh flowers that lasted the whole week of our stay. The sitting room was well stocked with guidebooks and recreational reading. The materials given to us by Gloria and Marcel included detailed instructions as to the layout and location of all the businesses in Civitella, recommendations for restaurants and ideas for outings and activities. We also opted to rent the cell phone that was offered and found it very convenient to have. The moms even got calls on Mother's Day! [...] Our hosts! Gloria and Marcel embody the open heartedness and kindness that renew your faith and assurance that we all are in fact, members of the global human family. You are warmly welcomed and realize immediately that you do indeed already have friends in Italy. Gloria (Italian) and Marcel (Canadian) both speak excellent English. They answered all of our questions and assured us that we could call at any time with any further questions or concerns. It is obvious that they greatly enjoy meeting their guests and as guests, we could not ask for more. We absolutely and highly, recommend staying at Casina di Rosa. We do indeed hope to return in the future, hopefully for a longer stay."
(Review by Laura and Brent)