Help! suggestions for Italian villas to cater for all ages.. Post Reply

[greendog]

I have a dilemma. We are planning a lovely family holiday, mid August to Umbria or Tuscany. So far, so good!
It's for two families - my brother, his wife and his family, a toddler and a baby.
My mother who is 65 and our family which includes three very loud, energetic teenage boys.
Last time we stayed together it was a lot of fun, but hard at night-time because my nocturnal offspring wanted to stay up and be silly and my brother's children obviously needed a decent bedtime AND quiet!
I was contemplating trying to find a campsite for my noisy bunch and a villa close by ......or could anyone suggest a good villa with separate wings...or an annex down the bottom of the garden for my boys? In a countryside spot but close to interesting sightseeing for my mum and sister-in-law?
All suggestions gratefully received. Thanks is advance for your help.

[greyingmum]

Have you looked at Villa Pia on the border of Tuscany & Umbria? It's a unique place - catered but like staying in your own villa rather than in a hotel. Brilliant for kids of all ages, something for everyone. An English couple Kevin & Morag started it up about 17 years ago and they do very little advertising as word of mouth (and a few journalists having been there) have served them well enough. And deservedly so. Food is gorgeous, help yourself fridges always available, kids mealtime then adults food later, sitters or if in the main building they are literally above where you eat as in your own villa, swimming pool, tennis courts, trampolines, acres of space for the children. You either love the idea of it or hate it but I think it works particularly well for several families travelling with grandparents and children of different ages. We went years ago when ours were 3 & 18 months and then revisited two years ago with them now 12, 10 & 6. Google it, sorry haven't got the address but it's Villa Pia in Lippiano.
Good luck with your search.

[greendog]

Thank you. That sounds ideal. I'll have a look.

[ekf]

Hi
We stayed in villa ail Solatio in the Chanti region. Can not recommend it highly enough. It's actually 2 self contained villas with 2 bedrooms each and all with ensuite bathrooms. We went with 2 sets of grandparents and a 4 month old baby. The pool and garden view is amazing. It is isolated as the name suggests but the local village has some fab restaurants and lots of quaint villages and Siena are easy to reach by car.
It's run by a lovely family who cannot do enough to please you. We asked if they had a microwave as it was easier to sterilise and prepare things for baby. They didn't but before we arrived they bought 2 and put one in each villa for us.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/VacationRe ... scany.html

[Maggie1]

This might be a bit late but we have just come back from Villa Pian di Cascina in Umbria. It's not just one villa but a restored farm with a couple of self catering cottages of varying sizes.

It has an amazing pool and play area. We travelled with our 13 month old and absolutely everything we needed was provided. There were families there that had older children too and they all seemed to be enjoying themselves. There is loads to do in the area to keep sightseers happy too.

Best of all for us was that the owner cooks twice a week (the food is incredible and reasonable). Baby monitors reached to the restaurant so we were able to enjoy a grown up meal together. The farm is quite isolated and we were right next door so we felt comfortable leaving our daughter in the villa while we ate.

Would highly recommend it.

http://www.avillainumbria.com/

[happybuttiredmumof1]

HI... I have a 17 century farmhouse in Tuscany but the only dates i have available are from 31 August onwards. It would be ideal I think because it has a games room which would keep your teenagers amused plus we are ideally located for visits to Florence, Siena, Montepulciano etc. I know it most probably wouldn't suit for this year as I am assuming you need school holiday dates but maybe next year.. please email if you are interested casa_barliano@live.co.uk

[greendog]

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for all your excellent suggestions. We have found a place and booked.
But I will definitely keep the places you have recommended in mind.