It is very private and quiet

by Pat and Doug, U.S.A.

Originally published on Slow Travel

###Location

Casina di Rosa is a small house located in the charming hilltop village of Civitella Marittima, about 30 minutes south of Siena. The views of the surrounding countryside from the top of the village were incredible in all directions. Although it is located within the village, it is very private and quiet.

###Nearby Amenities

Within walking distance in the town itself, there are two small grocery stores, two bakeries, a butcher, a flower shop, and one fantastic restaurant, well known in the area for exceptional cuisine. The nearest supermarket is about 5 minutes away by car in Paganico.

###The House/Apartment

The Casina di Rosa once belonged to the owner’s grandmother, Rosa. Gloria and Marcel, the owners, have done a great job of making the house comfortable and cozy. Parking is available on a nearby street. A short set of steps takes you up to the porch and onto an area that is set up for outdoor sitting.

Once inside, you find a well equipped kithen with a table by a sunny window. A bouquet of flowers and a welcome basket awaits you with special treats that Gloria has gathered. The bedroom has a queen size bed, the livingroom has a sofa that makes into a bed, and the bathroom has been completey remodeled and updated. The house comes equipped with everything one would need to live comfortably, including a washer/dryer, iron, satellite TV, fireplace, and plenty of dishes and cooking utensils.

###Garden

This is a small house in a village, so there is only a small outside sitting area on the front porch with chairs and a small BBQ.

###Furnishings/Cleanliness/Living Areas

The furnishings were very suitable and comfortable and the house was immaculately clean and welcoming. Gloria takes great pride in making sure that her guests find Casina di Rosa in perfect order.

###Bedrooms/Bathrooms

TThe queen size bed in the bedroom was very comfortable with lovely linens, and there was plenty of room in the dresser drawers and closet for our clothing. The house could comfortably accommodate four people if one couple would be willing to sleep on a pullout sofa. There were only two of us, so I can’t comment on the comfort of the sofa, but it was new and comfortable to sit on! The bathroom has a toilet as well as a bidet, a shower, a large sink, a window with a view and plenty of lighting and a space heater that kept it warm on a chilly morning.

###Kitchen

The kitchen is large and with a sunny window by the table, it became the place where we spent most of our time. The TV is in the kitchen and there is also a corner fireplace. We enjoyed cooking many meals in this cozy kitchen. There were plenty of dishes, the new gas stove was good, and the other appliances were all new and in good order.

###Problems or Bonuses

We were pleased to be able to book both of our stays during Gloria’s Happy Weeks when she offers a lower price for one week each month. Check the website to see when these are offered. The house is very reasonably priced, the village is small and friendly, and Gloria and Marcel are friendly, accommodating and generous hosts.

Where most rentals we have seen charge for the gas and electricity or heat you use, Gloria does not add on this fee for utilities. She provides a cellphone for a small fee that can be used during your stay if you don’t have one.

Don’t miss eating in the local osteria, “Locanda Nel Cassero.” Next time we stay at Casina di Rosa, we will eat here every night!
Agency and Representatives (and price)

Gloria and Marcel meet you when you get to town at a prearranged time. They make sure to show you everything in the house and how it works, provide you with maps and travel books, and recommendations about things to see locally. They made sure to let us know that we could call them at any time if we needed anything.

The reality of the Casina was even better than the published information which is accurately displayed on the website. Gloria is quick to respond to email inquiries and booking the Casina is really easy. We could hardly wait to return again and have now been there twice, in the spring and fall. We paid 300 Euros for the week we were there, Saturday to Saturday, which seems customary in a house rental. We rented in the low season and also during Gloria’s Happy Week.

###Do you recommend this vacation rental to others?

We would definitely recommend Casina di Rosa to anyone who is interested in really seeing what it is like to live in a small, quiet, but authentic, hilltop village. You will be the only “tourists” in the village, and they will smile and wave to you because they know Gloria has guests in the house, and her family still lives in the village.

###Things to do in this area

Gloria will leave you an informative sheet of instructions with lists of wonderful activities and sights to see in the area. Within driving distance, to name a few, are Volterra, Siena, Firenze, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Massa Marittima, and Grosseto where a seaside natural reserve is located. There are many abbeys, wine tasting estates, such as Banfi, hot springs, and hilltop villages close by.