
Villa Tantafera Guest Book
"Incredible"
Guest: Susan
Date of stay: December 2022
My family and I stayed at this incredible property for a week over our Christmas holiday trip to Italy. It was incredible. The home is what Italian tuscan dreams are made of in my mind. We all had beautiful rooms( our bedroom view was indescribable it was so good). The common spaces including dining and kitchen are perfect. We had number wood burning fires ( thanks for the firewood Roberto!). The location was a short drive to the city. It was winter so we didn't enjoy the outdoor space much but it would be a dream in summer. I highly recommend a stay at this beautiful home full of history, charm and authentic love and care from the owners.
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"Wonderful Large Family Retreat Close to Florence"
Guest: Pooja
Date of stay: November 2022
What a delightful stay at Villa Tantafera! We brought our family to Florence to celebrate a milestone birthday and came with adults and kids ages 5 to 75. Villa Tantafera was the perfect find as we wanted the experience of staying in a Tuscan villa vs hotel. The host, Roberto, was gracious, timely, and kind in all of his communications before, during, and after our stay. He was resourceful and connected us with two wonderful local chefs who helped us with delicious breakfast and dinner meals. The linens were fresh and clean and the home and grounds were very comfortable for 12 of us. We prearranged for a transport service to secure transportation from the villa to Florence daily; taxis from Florence to the villa only took 10-12 mins and some taxi drivers gave us a hard time about driving to the villa though we managed to find a ride each time and tipped well. Our family is grateful for the experience we had at Villa Tantafera and would absolutely recommend the property to friends and family!
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"A perfect experience"
Guest: Gabriel
Date of stay: April 2018
First off, the pictures do not to it justice. The villa is a combination of original charm and modern luxury and the view is as good as you can find anywhere. It is the perfect place for those looking to stay near Florence but get the beauty and quiet of the Tuscan countryside. It is only about 20 minutes into town (rent a car for sure) so you can pop into Florence and then back to your paradise. The villa is divided so that every area is very private but also has many common areas so it is amazing for large groups.
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"Amazing villa with picturesque view of Florence"
Guest: Melissa
Date of stay: July 2017
Our family recently stayed at Villa Tantafera. Roberto Leone's home was an incredible backdrop for our parents' birthday celebrations. The villa is well appointed with modern conveniences yet keeps the character of the 1480 construction. The bedrooms are of good size with comfortable beds and the bathrooms are updated. A great attention to detail has been paid with furnishings and decor. We enjoyed many evenings using the outdoor living space, the views of Florence are spectacular. The light is incredible. We used a few services suggested by Roberto during our stay: Graziella's Chef in Tuscany for a seated dinner for 16. The food and service were outstanding. We enjoyed Tuscan fare with 4 courses. Highly recommend them. We also used Euan with All Tuscany for trips to Cinque Terre, Siena and the Chianti Wine Tour. Our drivers Paolo and Jay were stand outs. We learned so much about the area and were well taken care of! Recommend Monterinaldi and Casa Emma wineries. Florence's historical center is a living museum, Renaissance architecture, shops and restaurants. Recommend enjoying a cocktail on the Hotel Grand Baglioni’s rooftop bar.
I would like to thank Roberto for helping us make this a trip of a lifetime. He was easily accessible for any help or questions we had during the planning process and during our stay. Hope to return one day! Grazie Mille Roberto!
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"Absolutely incredible!"
Guest: Imogen
Date of stay: December 2016
Absolutely incredible! Views over all of Florence... Wow! Over new years eve you could see fireworks across the entire city. Amazing. The house is incredibly well maintained by Roberto and finished beautifully, even down to details like the room diffusers from a famous florentine brand. The cleaner Michael, who comes daily, is excellent. The house is very large - from the bottom: jacuzzi and storage level, then one single bedroom and one double, then kitchen/dining room/living room with open fire and access to terrace, then three doubles and one single, then up the tower to the tv room, second kitchen/living area and up again in the tower to the last bedroom (very large double). For a big group there is nowhere better!
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"Perfect in every way"
Guest: Adam L.
Date of stay: September 2016
It was a great privilege for us to stay in this amazing home which was more than we could have hoped for in every way. The house was perfectly located on the hills just a short drive away from the centre of Florence with amazing views. The decoration was sympathetic to the architecture and period of the house. It was the perfect retreat for our extended family reunion. We were warmly welcomed by Roberto who made himself available to us to answer questions during our visit. Separately we had the services of a wonderful driver who became our unofficial tour guide, Guiseppe, who had great English and shared with us local knowledge, and took us to explore the local Tuscan area on one day and to Cinque Terre on another day in a 7 seater Mercedes van. We loved the local area but we were torn because we just didn't want to leave the beautiful house! I would highly recommend this property to anyone with a large group wanting a very special holiday retreat and an authentic, perfectly positioned Italian villa.
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"Better than you could imagine!"
Guest: Frank P.
Date of stay: August 2016
My family of 11 went to Florence and had the great fortune of staying at the Leone's magnificent home. It may be a bit cliche to hear it, but pictures truly do not do this villa justice - the building, built over 500 years ago, was amazing! The rooms are welcoming, the furniture and decor is comfortable, and the view? Truly breathtaking! When you sit outside and eat and drink wine, and stare out at the city of Florence you will not want to leave - that I promise!. The grounds are beautiful with grapes, lemons, oranges, plums and a host of other spectacular plant life.
The location is great also - a short car side from the city. You can spend 4 days, as we did in Florence or any of the surrounding areas, or 2 weeks - the entire region is amazing. We wanted to enjoy the pools, grounds and house as much as we could also. We had most meals prepared for us by Graziella, ask for her - but if I could make one suggestion - go to La Giostra in Florence and get the Steak Florentine!
As far as hospitality, Roberto was fantastic! He shopped for us and stocked the house - my grandchildren were 1 and 3 at the time, so you could imagine the list he had! He took us from the airport when we had a bit of logistical problem on arrival and went with my son to stock up on the wine we knew we would need! He truly made our family trip more memorable than I thought it would be. Thank you Roberto.
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"Amazing!"
Guest: Anonymous
Date of stay: August 2016
12 of us stayed at Villa Tantafera, including 5 boys ages 12-8, and the second we arrived we did not want to leave. Incredible doesn't even begin to describe the house inside and out, and I haven't even started talking about the breathtaking view! The location is great, only about a 20 min drive into town, my husband did walk one day but the hike back up the driveway took some skill, but the main road that you take was under construction so the 90-degree turn into town was a little rough on our cars. Get full coverage😉 Roberto is a kind, gracious and helpful man. I would definitely ask him about having Graziella come and cook for you while you are there. It was one of the best meals we've ever had and definitely our favorite experience while visiting. I am already trying to figure out how I can return! It was worth every penny! Thank you Roberto for the amazing and life long memories!
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"Great stay in Florence"
Guest: Kevin
Date of stay: June 2016
There's not much to add over what other reviewers have already said. Roberto's villa is a wonderful house with great character, but completely updated with modern conveniences. Beautiful views and delightful gardens. Roberto is a great host, and spent a couple of hours chatting and helping us get settled. On the last night one of folks in our party said it best, "Why would you stay anywhere else? Much better than being in town." It's out in the hills, quiet and definitely away from the crowds, but easy to get to the city center. The center, train station, and airport are all short €20 cab rides away. Or you can walk to the bus stop about 1/2 mile (800m) from the house and get into town for €2 in 10-15 minutes. We even walked into town a couple of days (about 2.5 miles / 4km, 40 minutes one way)...a good way to earn an extra gelato. I wouldn't recommend it for small groups, but if you have 6+ people you can't go wrong. The house is small enough to feel very comfortable, but big enough to have your privacy, too, even with a group of 6-12. Our group of 9 left several bedrooms unused. Thanks Roberto! Can't wait until next time.
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"Renaissance villa with modern amenities!!"
Guest: Linda
Date of stay: April 2016
We spent a week in Roberto's fantastic villa. Our jaws dropped when we saw the view of Florence and the Duomo as we pulled up. Roberto was there to meet us and we enjoyed a lovely 2 hour conversation over wine and cheese about the villas history and his careful renovation. The grounds of the villa are absolutely gorgeous dotted with fruit trees and olive groves. We slept in the tower bedroom with its own kitchen, living room and bathroom complete with double sinks and a rainshower head shower. The best surprise was winding down the worn stone steps to a huge saltwater Roman bath with old stone walls. Downtown Florence is a 10 minute cab or uber ride away. If one is seeking an experience of what it was like to live as a 16th century Midici prince and princess this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
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"Incredible combination of Beauty, Luxury and History"
Guest: Tim
Date of stay: March 2016
What a wonderful way to experience the beauty of Florence and the warmth of the Tuscan Countryside. Villa Tantafera was all we could have hoped for. Our extended family of 7 arrived by train from Rome and were met by Euan, Roberto's recommended car service and whisked off to Tantafera where Roberto gave us a tour of his family's wonderful villa. Everyone had plenty of privacy and the evenings around the dining table were awesome. The only downside of our entire visit to Florence was probably missing some restaurants as everyone wanted to get back to Tantafera for the evening. Roberto also introduced us to Lisa a Gourmet Chef that prepared a fantastic first night meal. Five days of touring and 5 nights of the best view of Florence that could be found. Thank you Roberto. We can't wait to return.
"Most incredible Villa"
Guest: Liz
Date of stay: October 2015
When you view Villa Tantafera for the first time you are blown away - the photos although stunning, just don't do it justice. Large, grand, romantic .. with a perfect view of Florence you will never tire of. The space, the attention to detail by Roberto make this villa the only place to stay. Thank you Roberto for making my birthday with friends very special indeed.
"Authentic beauty"
Guest: Juliet
Date of stay: September 2015
I couldn't have dreamed up a more breathtakingly beautiful, invigorating, yet relaxing place to be than Villa Tantafera! This property with it's authentic beauty, history and enchanting setting is truly not to be missed. You will want for nothing during your stay here, especially because of Roberto, a most gracious, knowledgeable and charming host, who makes it his mission to ensure his guests feel at home in Tuscany. The Villa is exquisite and incredibly comfortable with its modern kitchen, gorgeous bedrooms/bathrooms, indoor whirlpool and garden pool! We are so incredibly grateful to Roberto for insuring that we had an unforgettable week there with our children. Roberto and Villa Tantafera far exceeded all expectations (and after seeing the stunning photos of the place our expectations were high!)
"Fantastic stay!"
Guest: Richard
Date of stay: August 2015
We have just returned from a fantastic stay at Villa Tantafera. We would unreservedly recommend it. It is a beautiful villa, only around 10 minutes drive from the centre of Florence and yet peaceful and secluded. Roberto was an exceptional host- assisting our family with taxis, supermarket shopping etc and tips on great local restaurants and bars. We went with our three young children (4, 2 and 7 months) and they also had a wonderful time. They like us loved the new outdoor dipping pool, which has incredible views of Florence. We will certainly return at some point in the future.
"Villa Tantafera is an Italian Fairytale"
Guest: Faith
Date of stay: August 2015
I traveled to Florence this summer with 14 members of my family and we had a wonderful stay in Villa Tantafera. The villa is beautiful inside and out. The view of Florence is breathtaking. The rooms are cozy and well kept, the kitchen is beautiful, and outdoor area is perfect for a quiet family dinner. Villa Tantafera was a wonderful place to stay and tour Florence.
“Thank you.”
Guest: Selena
Date of stay: July 2015
Dear Roberto,
just wanted to express my deep appreciation for your hospitality at your villa and your invaluable assistance with the planning of the wedding. The wedding turned out so perfect and everyone in my family agreed that it was the highlight of the trip. I literally could not have put it together without your contacts for the photographer, hairdresser, florist. You made it happen for us! And of course we all enjoyed the villa so much--you have done such a wonderful job restoring it. I am only sorry that our delayed flight prevented me from meeting you in person and thanking you in person. You are the quintessential host!
Thank you again.
“This is an excellent villa, with an owner who really makes a difference.”
Guest: Doug
Date of stay: June 2015
Our stay was a perfect week - the villa is very comfortable and in very good condition with everything we wanted. Roberto is a great host for whom nothing is too much trouble. We recommend this villa without hesitation.
"I don't even want to review this place...."
Guest: Melinda
Date of stay: May 2015
I don't even want to review Villa Tantafera because it is such a perfect place. If I didn't like the owner Roberto as much as i do, i would try to keep it a secret. But, Roberto is a great host and deserves accolades so here i am. All of the questions and concerns that i had (when traveling with a group of people meeting in Florence from all over the place) were addressed in a very timely manner by Roberto. We asked for a connections to a driver and perhaps a tour of some wineries and were directed to Euan Mackay whose company All Tuscany is really wonderful. If you're going to spend hours together in a van go with this guy. Roberto also made reservations for us and suggested personal chefs for us etc. Each room in Tantafera is really decorated and outfitted to perfection. I have never been in a property in Italy, looked into a corner and thought "i wish this was here" or "that would be more convenient" and then seen everything i would've wanted. Italy is always inconvenient - and i love it for that too. But from little things like light switches and wifi, nespresso machines (go ahead and get on that band wagon), views, bathrooms, outdoor spaces, it is complete. It is truly a place that you can rest with total comfort and feel relaxed. Even the air is perfect. Its infused with the many lemon trees that are both planted and grow naturally on the property. I used them for my aperol spritzes that i made at night. Also, you can hear the bells ringing from a distance in the morning and into the evening reminding you of where you are should you forget. I even got sick here - i mean the twisted tissues in my nostrils type of cold. I was stuck in my bedroom for almost two days - and i could've cared less. there was no better place to be sick than Roberto's villa. I propped up some pillows and happily stared out of the window. Tantafera has that unique kind of harmony between the building and the grounds that happens only when something is restored with such love and care. This is Roberto's dream and you can feel it when you are there.
Legendary week with friends in beautiful historical villa overlooking Florence
Guest: Christofer & Dora
Date of stay: April 2015
We spent a week at the end of march with our closest friends in this beautiful villa to celebrate our recent wedding. From the very start - when we made the reservation in fall - it was a very positive experience thanks to Roberto, the owner, who thoughtfully took care of every question and request. On arrival we were amazed by this charming villa, with lots of space, very cozy rooms and still modern and clean facilities. The kitchen was perfect to cook for such a large group and we had wonderful self cooked dinners - which we enjoyed happily around the large dinner table. The kitchen opens into a lovely garden, where we had late breakfast sitting in the sun and looking over Florence. Actually there is a spectacular view over the city from almost every room in the house! Then there is this large whirlpool in the basement, where we sometimes ended up with the last glass of wine.
Roberto also recommended a great cook - Lisa Banchieri - who came to our villa with her team and prepared a fantastic 4 course dinner.
For us and our friends this was a perfect stay - exceeding our high expectations! Highly recommendable!
Roberto's Villa
Guest: Jason
Date of stay: March 2015
Roberto's villa was magnificent and truly one of a kind! We enjoyed every moment we spent there. The decor in every room was charming and overall the villa was very spacious and super clean. Roberto was kind enough to leave us with some basic groceries and wine. He was very hospitable and easily accessible at any given moment. The views in the morning and at sunset were spectacular. It was a 10 minute cab ride to the heart of Florence which was very convenient. A nice relaxing touch at the end of day was soaking in the hot tub. We cannot wait to go back and would recommend this magical place to any of our friends/family.
Truly unbelievable
Guest: Jaclyn
Date of stay: March 2015
Part of me wants to keep this review to myself to keep this villa a special little secret but, alas, it would be a shame for others not to experience what we did just a short time ago. This villa is amazing. The actual structure is from the 15th century but has been completely renovated. It is the best of both worlds- old world charm with modern conveniences. Gorgeous bathroom, chef's kitchen, chic decor, etc. The grotto with the jacuzzi! No attention for detail has been spared. The home is incredible. The property and the views... Wow. I felt like I was looking out into a postcard every morning. The landscape is filled with olive and orange trees, lemons, etc. Breathtakingly beautiful. The owner Roberto. Now this is what made our stay above and beyond amazing. It's one thing to rent a great place, but Roberto was essentially our host. He was extremely helpful and responsive every day prior to our arrival- going so far as to research brands of diapers for our baby so we wouldn't have to transport with us! He also made all of our dinner reservations in advance and provided a crib with bedding. We arrived to a stocked kitchen, fresh flowers in every single room, delicious chocolates, prosecco and other wine, etc. What a welcome!!! He was more than happy to assist in booking a taxi any time and if we ever had any trouble or questions, he was immediately responsive and/or on site to assist. The location. This is the best of both worlds. You are in the Florentine hills with perfect views of the city and the rolling landscape. But then just 10-15 minutes later via taxi you are downtown! We ate dinner out in downtown Florence every night and it was more than easy. The villa is absolutely incredible but the host is what made our experience a dream.
I would recommend this to everyone. It is truly a special place.
Exquisite Villa with grand view overlooking Florence
Guest: Stephanie
Date of stay: October 2014
For families or families of Friends (as my case) this was the perfect accommodation and absolute ideal location. We needed five bedrooms and in our case wanted on suite baths - that is a luxury in an old villa - and we had all the space and luxury we really needed. The guests were from six countries, with six cultures and a few local Florentine friends came over. It was perfect to cook in the modern kitchen (again - fabulous) and dine one night alfresco and the other night in the most lovely dining room. I cannot encourage you to go fast enough to this villa. It is everything you'll dream of and more. You have the opportunity to be in the city center in less than 20 minutes, easy drives to other cities and feel as if you are far away in the country. Idyllic to say the least! Our host was most gracious to put in food for dinner and breakfast and joined us for a birthday dinner. As we were a most unusual group, I do hope he enjoyed our company as much as we enjoyed his - and villa Tantafera. Memories are joyous and another trip is desired in the very near future....
Amazing, amazing, amazing...
Guest: Naomi
Date of stay: October 2014
Amazing amazing amazing... Roberto was lovely, incredibly helpful and his house is beyond amazing. Will be back with our family one day soon!!!!
The Perfect Tuscan Getaway
Guest: Rob
Date of stay: September 2014
We had a wonderful vacation at the Villa Tantafera to celebrate my wife's 40th birthday in September. There were 10 of us all together and we could have probably fit 3-4 more adults comfortably. The Villa is the absolute epitome of the Tuscan countryside with SPECTACULAR views of Florence that are literally right out of a movie. Roberto and his family have done an amazing job at balancing the 400-year old Tuscan villa experience with a modern kitchen, HUGE hot tub in the basement, and AIR-CONDITIONED bedrooms. It was absolutely perfect for our celebration which included a private chef dinner in the great dining room that overlooks the Duomo at nite. If you want a real Tuscan countryside experience that is a 10 minute drive to the heart of the city, this is the place. Spectacular views, wonderful grounds, modern amenities and A/C, and a Villa that just keeps going and going with rooms. 5 Stars and GREAT VALUE!
The Stay of a Lifetime!!
Guest: Susan & Todd
Date of stay: July 2014
This beautiful, historic villa is loaded with rustic, old-world charm! From the windy climb up the driveway, to the jaw-dropping view of Florence, this get-away is an experience you won't soon forget! This spacious (5 floors) house with its surrounding grounds, offers plenty of room for every member of your group to spread out and enjoy their own Tuscan experience. The comfortably furnished living room, dining room and sitting room, as well as the outdoor dining space, provided our family with many opportunities to come together and share conversations and experience the great food and drink of Italy. The spacious bedrooms and newly renovated bathrooms, provide all the comforts of home, and then some! This property has many great amenities, that are surpassed only by the grace and charm of the property owner. Roberto, met us as we arrived, and welcomed us to his family home. After covering the basics of the estate, we stopped by the kitchen, where he opened a bottle of Prosecco and toasted our arrival at Villa Tantafera. He left us with a well-stocked refrigerator, 2 Italian cell phones to use during our stay, and a list of his personal restaurant recommendations. He invited us to call him directly with any questions or concerns and even shipped my sons headphones back to us in the States, when he discovered we had left them behind. Our family had a wonderful experience travelling through Europe, but our stay at Villa Tantafera was definitely the highlight of our trip! We can't recommend it highly enough!!!
Unforgettable Experience
Guest: Alexandra & David
Date of stay: July 2014
We were a group of eleven Canadians who really enjoyed staying at the Villa Tantafera located on a hilltop overlooking the City of Florence. It has large rooms, comfortable beds, a wonderful well-stocked kitchen and dining room, nice furnishings, frescoed and Florentine ceilings, and outside an olive grove, grape vines and lemon trees. The house is so large and the walls so thick that noise doesn't travel much from one floor to another. Roberto, the owner, went out of his way to be kind and helpful. If you are staying at the property bringing your own car is a good idea. We had no trouble at all driving up the hill to the villa but some (not all) of the cabdrivers in the City were reluctant to take those in our party without a car beyond the gate off the main road. Otherwise we could not have stayed in a more perfect place that went well beyond our expectations. We highly recommend this property to other tourists visiting Florence and Tuscany. It felt magical to even be there.
Guest: Isabelle
Date of stay: May 2014
I stayed 12 days at the property with a group of American women. The place was beautiful, clean, well kept, with beautiful bouquet of flowers in every room. The property owner was the most helpful, efficient, generous and always ahead of our needs. The house was perfect for a group with beautiful bedrooms with private bathrooms, many sitting rooms to relax and we appreciated very much the indoor pool with its romantic atmosphere. We all for sure appreciated the beautiful garden with its olive, lemon and orange trees... The view overlooking the centre of Florence, from the house and the garden was breathtaking. The experience surpassed our expectations.
Dream Location
Guest: Jen
Date of stay: November 2013
I just returned from spending a glorious week at this villa with eleven friends in celebration of my fortieth birthday. The view of Florence was exquisite and I spent at least one day starring at it, watching the sky and clouds change color. The property is so big that for the first two days we found ourselves getting lost. Rooms are comfortable, bathrooms spacious, and the living areas relaxing and well-appointed. Had a great time preparing meals in the two kitchens (including Thanksgiving dinner). On Friday night a caterer recommended by the owner prepared a four-course meal for our group in the dining room. The food was delicious and the decoration lovely. I cannot say enough good things about this property. I am scheming as to when I may return. Roberto was extremely helpful and the recommendations he made about restaurants in town were spot on. Not easy to find, but once there it was the perfect mix of far away and close to town.The artwork and detail are also to be applauded.Recommended for: Romantic getaway, sightseeing, girls getaway, tourists without a car, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Sensational family getaway!
Guest: Krista
Date of stay: October 2013
We spent an absolutely amazing week at Villa Tantafera and wish we could have stayed longer. The villa easily accommodated 12 members of our combined families for a week leading up to our wedding in Florence. Roberto recommended a local wedding planner who arranged a fabulous wedding lunch for us in the huge dining room at the villa; followed by drinks out on the terrace as the sun set over the Duomo. The views out over Florence are so much more beautiful than any photo can capture!We loved everything about Villa Tantafera. Roberto has obviously restored the villa to ensure it keeps it's heritage charm and the personalised touches in the decor make it feel so inviting. It is a truly lovely home and we hope to be back again some day.
Heavenly!
Guest: Kim
Date of stay 09/24/2013
We spent four delicious days in this gorgeous villa, high above Florence. The hospitable owner, Roberto, showed us around the house (he stocked the refrigerator for us with meats, cheeses, wine, beer, juices and eggs), and then left us on our own, promising he was minutes away should we need him (we didn't).The rooms were comfortable, tastefully decorated, and clean! A breathtaking view is offered from every large window; olive trees in fields of green, along a backdrop of Florence, her Duomo reaching high above the city's skyline. We dined on the veranda just off of the modern kitchen every morning, surrounded by lemon and lime trees, and grapes growing on the pergola. There is a table outside and lounge chairs (4) along the veranda - a perfect place to relax with a glass of wine. We were only four people, so we didn't use the large table in the dining room, off of one of the pretty living rooms. This house can comfortably sleep three families. Every bedroom is beautiful. The bathrooms are large and immaculate. There is a large jacuzzi on the lower floor, so bring a bathing suit (or not :-)).Florence is minutes away, just down the steep hill. Don't let the coarse, windy driveway deter you (or the taxi's - they can be coerced up). This was the only pebble in an otherwise smooth stay. We went to Florence each day, a ten minute drive - easily picking up a bus for a day trip to Siena. The villa is private and quiet, yet minutes away from a major city - it offers everything. We absolutely loved it!
Twelve Days of Splendid Tuscan Countryside
Guest: Leslie
Date of stay 08/31/2013
The Villa is right out of a storybook! Beautiful grounds, fruit and olive trees, grapevines, view of Tuscan countryside including Duomo! Well equipped kitchen, crisp white linens, towels, and a couple refreshes of all during our stay.Large rooms - baths; grand windows and vistas that don't stop.Great proximity to Florence, Siena and numerous surrounding sites/cities. Taxi availability was good.We would definitely recommend and come again!!
Phenomenal accommodations
Guest: Diane
Date of stay 06/22/2013
After months of planning a blended family vacation for ten adults (ages 24-60), and numerous helpful emails back and forth with the owner, Roberto, we finally arrived at our destination after traveling up a steep, secluded driveway. 'Jaw-dropping' is the term I use to describe what we saw next! The villa is magnificent. All is exactly as you see in the pictures. Sparkling clean, all modern conveniences including bath, kitchen, laundry, A/C, spa/hot tub and wi-fi worked perfectly. Think 'jaw-dropping' again when you see the panoramic view you have of Florence. Our gracious host seemed more like a family friend than proprietor by the end of our stay.
The best part of our entire Italy trip
Guest: Branton B.
Date of stay 08/13/13
What a wonderful experience. It begins with Roberto, who is an absolutely wonderful host. His love and pride for the villa is conveyed to all those who stay. After a week of touring Italy, this villa was the perfect conclusion for our family. It has all the rustic charm of a 14th century home, while all the modern amenities that make it the perfect place for relaxation. It was an easy ten minute drive to downtown Florence for shopping and sightseeing. We highly recommend both Roberto and his villa for those who want to escape the fray of downtown hotels. A true taste of all that is Florence. --And if you don't want to cook, we HIGHLY recommend Chef Lisa Banchieri !!
Villa Extraordinaire
Guest: Denis
Date of stay 07/06/13
Stunning property, superbly appointed, worked extremely well for a family gathering both pre and post wedding celebration.Accommodated 13 adults and 2 children, with very large bedrooms and bathrooms. Very comfortableOwner extremely friendly with much support and local area knowledge, he recommended a chef one evening to cook for our group, first class meal, all freshly prepared in the villa kitchen, great dining room with views over Florence A Five star stay in a beautiful Villa, thank you, Denis and family
Exceptional Villa!
Guest: Ken & Cindy
Date of stay 05/20/13
Roberto was an excellent host that helped us with anything we needed. This included interpretations, getting us taxi's, and helping us to enjoy Florence. The villa was exceptional and truly made the trip. The estate could easily accommodate 12 people. Roberto even had the kitchen stocked with food for us! We would highly recommend this property to any future visitors.
A memorable spring break!
Guest: Regina
Date of stay 03/16/13
The house is very beautiful, up on the hill you can see a gorgeous tuscan country side. For us it was the perfect location, we wanted to be near Florence center (15 minutes if you know where you are going) but also to have quite evenings at home since we were traveling with children 8 to 18 years of age. The home is very comfortable and spacious and clean. The kitchen is modern and was socked with all the necessary things and very comfortable for cooking. The owner was always available if we had a question. All in all it was a beautiful experience and we would do it again!
Absolutely Incredible!
Guest: Neil
Date of stay 05/05/12
We rented Villa Tantafera for our wedding venue. Each of our immediate families stayed at the villa with us. It's hard to decide where to start in describing what a wonderful experience this was. The owner is more of a host, than a property manager. He provided contact information for an excellent wedding planner, personally helped us set up for the wedding, bought food and wine to stock the kitchen for us before our arrival, provided a couple of local cell phones for our use, picked us up at the airport, was available for any questions at any time, ... I can't say enough about how great he is. The Villa is breathtakingly beautiful! The pictures online are nice, but they don't quite capture how amazing this place is. We found it hard to capture with pictures, as well. Every detail of the villa is beautiful, so it's hard to decide where to point the camera. All of the historical charm of the villa has been preserved, while modern enhancements such as the climate control, dishwasher, washer/dryer, etc were added. The views of the city from the villa are awesome. We were blown away even after enjoying the views for a week. The only advice that I would give is to rent a car. It's a little difficult to explain the location to cab drivers. The walk to the bus stop is a bit challenging. Other than the transportation issue, everything was perfect. We were very sad to leave. Recommended for: Sightseeing, families with young children, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.
GORGEOUS VILLA!
Guest: Lisa
Date of stay 03/24/12
We booked this villa based on the location (proximity to Florence) and large size to fit 2 families with 4 adults and 6 kids aged 17-11.The pictures do not do this gorgeous home justice! The home has been completely redone with a lovely kitchen and multiple beautiful bathrooms. We had unused bedrooms with a party of 10. There are many many areas to hang out together throughout the house. The dining room table easily accommodated our group on the one night we ate in with a chef cooking an unbelievable meal. ( Roberto, the owner, can give you the chef's (Lisa) info, as that was our best meal in Florence! The view of Florence from the villa has to be the best that can be found anywhere around Florence! Simply stunning! The location of the villa is excellent. It is only about 3 miles from Florence on the GPS... though, it is a little tricky navigating the one way hilly streets. Our kids LOVED the hot-tub on the lower level! It is much bigger that an American hot tub and closer in size to a small indoor pool. Finally, Roberto, the owner, is a pleasure to work with and so available to help us! He gave us two local cell phones to use while we were there and stocked the kitchen when we arrived. Do not hesitate to book this amazing home! Recommended for: Sightseeing, girls getaway, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Most wonderful week!
Guest: Debbie
Date of stay 03/23/12
We just returned from the most wonderful week at the Villa Tantafera with our family and friends. The owner, Roberto, met us upon our arrival and gave us an introduction to both the Villa and to Florence. He is a very gracious and charming host-- stocking the refrigerator, leaving us cell phones. He was available if we needed him, but never intrusive. The property was spectacular. It far exceeded any expectations that we had. The views were unbelievable. We started each day with breakfast on the patio overlooking Florence. We traveled with six kids. There was plenty of room for them to play together or go off on their own. They all loved the hot pool. Roberto gave us a terrific recommendation for a chef to come and cook dinner for us. It turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. The food was delicious, the chef delightful. We all agreed that we would have liked to stay another week, and would love the opportunity to return to the Villa! Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, families with teenagers.
Peaceful Country Villa Only 10min from Center of Florence!
Guest: good2163
Date of stay 08/09/11
We just returned from a fantastic week at Villa Tantafera with our extended family. The recently remodelled property fully-exceeded our expectations! It's filled with both structural and interior design historic charm, while everything functional, from the kitchens (one downstairs, one in tower), entertainment room, whirlpool, wiring and plumbing was upgraded in the recent renovation.As the villa is in a GPS-challenged location (a positive in my book), the owner Roberto met arriving guests on the main thoroughfare to escort us to the property. He offered to guide each guest from the airport, which is only 20 minutes away, as well. We arrived to a spotless villa with a fridge stocked with a few days' worth of supplies (including plenty of wine, and excellent selections at that!), sufficient to allow for a leisurely evening and morning before heading out for groceries for our nine guests. We were provided with two local mobile phones, pre-loaded with airtime and Roberto's contact information, to use while visiting.Roberto was 'at our service' the entire visit, offering restaurant suggestions and other practical advice at our request, while remaining completely unobtrusive. He recommended a local chef who offered a cooking lesson ahead of an unbelievable meal- one of the highlights of the stay. Our visit was meant to be a mix of country relaxation and Tuscan sightseeing, so we didn't try to pack in everything in the surrounding area. We spent a few half-days in Florence (10-15min drive), went to San Gimignano for an afternoon (1h drive), and visited Siena (1h drive). A truly magical property that we're planning on visiting soon again! Recommended for: Sightseeing, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, families with teenagers.