Testimonials
June 2006Hi James and Lori I can't thank you enough for helping us plan such a great trip. I can't begin to describe the beauty of our Tuscan getaway. I was one of the first to arrive at the home and enjoyed greeting each of my friends and watching their reaction to the home and the scenery. We couldn't stop saying how beautiful it was, and each time we did we truly meant it....it was incredible. Marcella was terrific and as you predicted we had her cook 5 of the nights.....why go out. Also thanks for the tip on the cars, what a disaster if we had not rented them. I truly want to take you two out as thanks and tell you all about it. Thank you again so very much.
Hank P. Newtown Square, PA La Casaccia
June 2006Lori and James, once again you provided another beautiful accommodation in Italy. We enjoyed our week in Panzano and appreciate all the efforts from Ana Lea and Monica. The weather was perfect, our chef was outstanding. Thank you for your efforts.
Anne W. Minneapolis, MN Loggia
June 2006We were all VERY happy and VERY pleased with the property, Graziella, and Via Travel.
Eric H. Indianapolis, IN Colle Aperto
May 2006We loved it, especially the terrace. Positano was wonderful and all the steps worked off our big meals. Two restaurants we really liked were Il Fornillo, also very close to the villa and Next2, a new restaurant. Our driver, Sergio from Flavio Gioia was excellent and we used them a few times. The package you sent us with info was extremely helful. The weather was sunny everyday and it was a great vacation. Thanks for all your help!
J. Gilliam Newtonville, MA
May 2006Dear Lori and James, I wanted to let you know how perfectly beautiful and special Villa Donatello was for my birthday celebration. It was everything I had hoped it would be and more. The flowers, the breathtakingly beautiful views, all the terraces, the antiques, a delightful call from the owner to welcome us, Rosanna and the gardener and the location of the villa, away from the tourists, will be memories to cherish. Thank you for everything that you did to assure a perfect holiday at Villa Donatello. Perhaps an apartment in Paris is next!!! Warm regards
D. St. Pierre New Orleans LA
May 2006Lori and James:
You can't imaginge how delighted we were to find that Casa Stefania was exactly as you had described...it was not only charming and comfortable but well located with beautiful views from the terrace and courtyard. What made our stay even more special, though, were the terrific tips you gave us on restaurants, hikes, excursions,etc. Having your personal input added so much.... that kind of inside track was invaluable to travelers who enjoy getting beneath the surface. Actually, we found no need to even use the guide books. We truly loved every one of your recommendations.
Thank you so much for all that you shared and for all of the assistance in making our first trip to Positano unforgettable. You'll be sure to hear from us soon. Appreciatively,
Mary Ann Philadelphia Casa Stefania
May 2006Wonderful and unique property - perfect Tuscan ambiance in a beautiful setting. It exceeded our expectations.
Peter F. Maryland Colle Aperto
April 2006It was fabulous. Better than we had imagined. A wonderful cozy, farmhouse to return to everyday - perched high on a hill overlooking a beautiful valley. Graziella is terrific. WE had a great time and loved our home away from home in Tuscany.
Sally S. Carlisle, Mass Colle Aperto
April 2006Hi James and Lori, I just wanted to send a special thank you to you two for recommending Villa Donatello! Our wedding was an overwhelming success, a large part due to the fantastic setting of Villa Donatello in the beautiful town of Positano. We will remember it forever! Sincerely,
Tara and Jeremy
April 2006Sr. Del Porto was a delight and took every measure to assure that our stay was a pleasant one! Great Trip!
D. Anderson Washington D.C.
March 2006Lori, Just wanted to thank you for all your assistance. Our trip was better than I could have ever dreamed. The Panzano Estate was fantastic! The weather turned out to be great and the views breath taking. Moncia was wonderful and the meal that Orsa made one of the highlights, and we had many. Our visit to the winery was a treat. Can't beat that. This was without a doubt the best vacation our family has ever had.
Jerry L. Houston, Texas Loggia
October 2005We loved our stay at Colle Aperto...it really is a slice of Tuscan heaven! We particularly loved sitting on the large loggia under the grape arbor enjoying the amazing views. It was great fun to harvest salads and vegetables each day from the gardens for our dinners. Graziella was wonderful! She makes fantastic pizzas and desserts! It was an unbelievable place for a reunion of friends and we hope to do it again!
Anne D. Hingham, MA Colle Aperto
October 2005Lori, I can not tell how great our trip was ...we loved the villa, we loved Monica we loved...the village of Panzano it was beyond charming, and the shop keepers were very pleasant and more than amused with our consumption of fruit juices, cereal and cheese. We had boots and shoes hand made and we hired a chef from panzano to cook our last meal at the villa. All of the information that you sent to us before hand was used as if it were a bible and praise the lord for it....it was very informative and extremely useful. I can't thank you enough for providing one the best rental services I have ever used in my 8 years of travel to Italy! We look forward to working with you and James again ...hopefully I can get the gang moving a little faster next year we are planning to go further south. Again many thanks for all of your help and service!
Stormy L. Philadelphia, Pa Loggia
September 2005James, WELL WE LOVED IT! the whole thing Belavista and Il Salone were fabulous the views were great day and night we watched the school children go down the steps to their classes....saw the city from our bedroom at night....studied the water and Norman towers...ate pasta.....drank wine......and the cheese and olives.....Oh God....the olives and cheese....Palm Sunday was a special gift to us walked and climbed the stairs a WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL trip!
B. Catuzzi Houston, TX Bellavista
September 2005James and Lori,
Paul and I thank you again for recommending we stay at Il Saraceno to celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary in September. It was an enchanting place to stay in the always-enchanting Positano.
In a way, it was exactly as you described it, and pictured it on your website; I say in a way because there are no words or pictures that can truly reflect the beauty of the site the ancient tower abode, with all its charm; the pristine private beach where I spent the better part of a day completely alone with my books and thoughts; and the absolutely stunning view from the bedroom, the terrace, or from just about anywhere on the property. It was spectacular! Paola was there to meet us, and available to assist us throughout our stay. She was very kind, even offering to give Paul and me a ride (via her boat) to the San Pietro.
It was nice to have a local looking out for us. We also want to thank you for all of the recommendations you provided on what to do once we got settled at Il Saraceno. Everything you recommended be it a shuttle service, cafe restaurant, grocery store, pottery shop, etc.was terrific. I am amazed that you are able to keep your list of recommended places to go so current and GOOD; however you are doing it, keep it up! Your pre-trip guidance and suggestions were invaluable. So, grazie mille for all you did to make our celebration truly memorable. We are already browsing your site searching for next years destination! Warm regards,
Lisa Kerber Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania Il Saraceno
September 2005We expected the property to be wonderful and it exceeded our dreams and expectations. It was paradise - the view, the location, the villa and Graziella's cooking. We couldn't have asked for anything more, and we can't wait to go back.
Lauren G. Potomac, MD Colle Aperto
September 2005Hi Lori and James, I wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful experience in Tuscany especially in our beautiful country home Palazzuolo. We loved everything about the place. Cristina is a true chef and culinary expert. We had her cook a few nights for us and it was all truly delicious and elegantly served. The rest of the staff was also so accommodating, friendly and most helpful. We all had the same feeling about Tuscany. Some of us for the first time and some for a second time. We did much traveling around to the lovely villages and enjoyed the scenery wine cheese and food. I do hope I will be doing business with you in the future as I would definitely return to Tuscany and the properties that you represent are perfect so far. Thank you again for all of your help!
Joan J. Peekskil, NY Palazzuolo
September 2005Dear Lori and James:
Once again I write to tell you what a wonderful time we had in a place that you found for us. Loggia was even better than we had anticipated. Of course we knew how beautiful the estate is , the village of Panzano, and the surrounding area were, having stayed in the Vigna apartment for a great week last year. Because we had a larger group this year, Loggia was perfect for us, spacious, extremely well laid out and furnished, and providing spectacular views. The large common areas, living room dining room, kitchen and loggia, brought us together, yet each of the four bedrooms with baths were laid out to give quiet private spaces.
As before Monica and Anila were extremely competent, as well as a joy to deal with. In summary we had a great time in a terrific setting and are pleased to have again benefited from your excellent advice and services.
Purnell C. Washington D.C. Loggia
September 2005WOW! Wow!!!! Spectacular, incredible, Beautiful, and most of all memorable. The total vacation experience would have been very different in another setting. The property provided an incredible backdrop to a great vacation.
Drew D. Boston MA Palazzuolo
August 2005The pictures and description of Il Saraceno do not come close to conveying the magic of this place!! What an absolutely incredible place. We loved it.
B. Berardo Lambertville, NJ Il Saraceno