Hi Manola,
Just a note to tell you how much we enjoyed our week at Villa Ortensia. We arrived the day after a huge storm had hit the area, damaging electric lines to the TV satellite and the water heater. After our somewhat harrowing drive up that narrow winding country road in our huge van, we were looking forward to a hot shower. However, Francesca and Letizia handled the problem quickly, getting someone up that evening to fix the water heater. And by Monday we had TV! In any case, we settled in to the villa, enjoying the lovely antiques and artwork displayed all around the villa. The furnishings were comfortable as well as being attractive, and the beds were extremely luxurious (we shall miss those wonderful bed linens!).
It was perfect having the privacy of the villa in the peaceful Legurian hills to retreat to after each day's explorations of villages and towns nearby. And I enjoyed long walks most every morning, exploring the nearby roads and meeting some of the neighbors. Villa Ortensia is wonderfully located for those day trips to Pisa, Lucca, Carrara, Lerici, Montemarcello, Portovenere, Cinqueterra --and we explored the local village of Sarzana as well, learning where to buy our bread, cheese, and other groceries. Francesca and Letizia were so helpful and gracious---daily gifts of cherries, lettuce from the garden, or fresh eggs from the hens--helped to make our stay very pleasant. And we appreciated having the kitchen so well stocked with supplies, condiments, etc. So nice not to have to buy those essentials when only staying a week. Another amenity that we really appreciated was having our laundry so nicely done and Francesca allowing us occasional use of her computer for communication to our families back home.
The views from the villa are amazing; you are truly way up above the town in a wonderful country setting. It is a little piece of heaven! Much as we may have liked to sit all day on the terrace enjoying the views, we did want to get out each day and see as much as possible, and Francesca was an excellent source of information---for places to visit and restaurants.
Thank you, Manola, for recommending this villa to us. It was perfect--we hope to visit again before too long, and next time we will NOT drive a 9 passenger van. They are just too big for the village and country roads of Italy. However, we had six people and their luggage to transport the first week we were in Italy, so we were stuck with that van!
Our best wishes and thanks again to Letizia, Francesca, and their friendly guard dog, Kruk (sp?).
Sincerely, Pat Magyary and friends
From beginning to end this holiday could not have been better - InTuscany provided fantastic and personal support and arrangements went very smoothly. Villa Ortensia is a beautiful place - poised in a fabulous location on top of a mountain. It is tranquil and relaxing, with the most fantastic views in every direction. The building is amazing and it is like living in an art gallery with all the paintings that surround you - I found it immediately so homely, intriguing and full of history. The owners could not have been more helpful and the swimming pool was a delight to use. There are lots of places to explore near by and we will most definitely be back again. Candlelit dinners on the terrace are a must for anyone staying there.
Tracey
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