We were lucky enough to end up at La Pianore Villa for our first ever trip to Italy. Mind-blowing food, beautiful country-side and lovely hosts. Add in awesome yoga, long country walks and evenings of darts, local bands and amazing seafood with the locals in the 2 nearby villages and you've got the best holiday you can imagine. Definitely go for tortelli in Stribugliani!!! Our hosts Elena and Nadia were charming and made us feel very at home. It's only an hours drive from Niki De Sant Phalle's Tarot Garden and a host of other Tuscan wonders. We will most definitely be back. Highly recommended!!

En plein coeur de la Toscane, un petit coin de paradis vous ouvre ses portes. Une vieille bâtisse en pierre, magnifique, aménagée avec goût et sobriété, une vue imprenable sur la vallée, un terrain arborisé immense et une magnifique piscine pour se prélasser au soleil avec un petit cocktail. J'ai découvert ce lieu à l'occasion d'un mariage et il n'y a pas d'endroit plus magique pour ce genre d'occasions. Elena et sa famille nous ont accueilli à bras ouverts pendant 4 jours de pur bonheur et ce fut le plus beau mariage auquel j'ai assisté. Un seul regret : ne pas habiter près afin de pouvoir m'y rendre plus souvent

Le Pianore is what Italian dreams are made of : in the heart of the heart of Italy with beautiful surroundings, great accommodation and wonderful hosts. And then we havn't even mentioned the home baking and cooking which kept us eating -and drinking- for the weekend we spent celebrating there. Can't wait to go back.

While the house and grounds are really spectacular, what I will most remember about Le Pianore are the wonderful owner and her team. Fillipo, the owner's delightful son, went above and beyond the call of duty and attended to our every whim, including arranging the most wonderful and exclusive wine tasting experiences. Since I am from California wine country, I am not easily impressed, but what Fillipo arranged were private tours in the most sought-after Brunello estates, such as Sesti, with the “guides” being the winemakers themselves. Fillipo arranged numerous private lunches for us throughout the beautiful valley, and worked innumerable hours to make us happy. Then there was Rina, the private chef that comes optional with the house. After first tasting her food the first night, we all voted to have her back for much of every evening. Spectacular gourmet meals easily worth three times what she charged us (definitely ask her to make lasagna, and the special lamb dish, but I seriously do not remember one meal that wasn’t outstanding). Elena, the gracious, gregarious and beautiful owner of the property was always around making sure that we were treated like royalty, and, of course, we were. She treated us to some wonderful memories that I will never forget. As others have written, Le Pianore is a huge, lovely and very private estate, with fantastic views and authentic details. One of my favorite aspects was running for 3 miles every day inside ton beautiful country roads and never leaving their vast property. While the tiny town of Monticello is just a few minutes drive from the property, it’s the next town over, Castel del Piano, a short 20-minute drive, that is absolutely the must-see. Not yet on the tourist trail, but you better get there fast and explore the jaw-dropping beauty of their medieval and Renaissance streets before someone writes, "Under Castel del Piano's Sun." Grazie mille, Elena and Fillipo, for your incredible hospitality. Tre urrà per la bella Napolese!

While the house and grounds are really spectacular, what I will most remember about Le Pianore are the wonderful owner and her team. Fillipo, the owner's delightful son, went above and beyond the call of duty and attended to our every whim, including arranging the most wonderful and exclusive wine tasting experiences. Since I am from California wine country, I am not easily impressed, but what Fillipo arranged were private tours in the most sought-after Brunello estates, such as Sesti, with the “guides” being the winemakers themselves. Fillipo arranged numerous private lunches for us throughout the beautiful valley, and worked innumerable hours to make us happy. Then there was Rina, the private chef that comes optional with the house. After first tasting her food the first night, we all voted to have her back for much of every evening. Spectacular gourmet meals easily worth three times what she charged us (definitely ask her to make lasagna, and the special lamb dish, but I seriously do not remember one meal that wasn’t outstanding). Elena, the gracious, gregarious and beautiful owner of the property was always around making sure that we were treated like royalty, and, of course, we were. She treated us to some wonderful memories that I will never forget. As others have written, Le Pianore is a huge, lovely and very private estate, with fantastic views and authentic details. One of my favorite aspects was running for 3 miles every day inside ton beautiful country roads and never leaving their vast property. While the tiny town of Monticello is just a few minutes drive from the property, it’s the next town over, Castel del Piano, a short 20-minute drive, that is absolutely the must-see. Not yet on the tourist trail, but you better get there fast and explore the jaw-dropping beauty of their medieval and Renaissance streets before someone writes, "Under Castel del Piano's Sun." Grazie mille, Elena and Fillipo, for your incredible hospitality. Tre urrà per la bella Napolese!

I can't say enough about this property, Elena and her son Filipo. The photos only give you a glimpse of the beauty of the Villa and surrounding area. When we arrived the Villa was spotless and there were fresh flowers on the table. The next day Elena arrived with a basket of fresh fruit and vegetables from her garden. Elena and Filipo were available to help out with any and all requests. Her recommendations never fell short. We came for one week with four other couples and our two children (17 & 20). We were able to visit local wineries, villages, hot springs and the beach. We even had a cooking class organized by Elena. The chef was wonderful and the gnocci amazing. Everyone had a wonderful time and we all could have easily stayed longer. I believe that it was possible to have 12 people together for one week and still enjoy each others company due to the available space to allow for privacy when desired, relaxed atmosphere and opportunities to explore and/or rest. My husband had a wonderful 50th birthday and we hope to return.

I have been going to Le Pianore for the last few years and love it so much, last June my wife and I decided to get married there. The houses are located in an isolated valley, away from any noise pollution, unspoiled and pristine. The houses are beautifully restored and feel warm and comfortable. Elena the host and owner is extremely welcoming always doing her best,to make you feel at home. Over all a very special and real Tuscan experience. We can't wait to go back next