Villa Gioianna

GUESTBOOK

I have traveled all over and many times to Italy, but have never had such a wonderful place to stay with such a wonderful hostess.

Charlotte, Palo Alto, California

This holiday has been one of total enchantment.  Words can’t convey how wonderful this experience has been.  It has been wonderful – magical – to hear the nightingale and hoopoes.  Every view is worthy of a painting and the Villa beautiful.  How fortunate we are to have lived this dream.

Tess and Pete, Bath, England

We all found the Villa and grounds enchanting.  It is a truly wonderful holiday locale.  We have thoroughly enjoyed the fruits of the estate, including the vino (in copious quantities), olive oil, strawberries, beans and artichokes.

James’ patriarch and progeny, Great Britain

First, may I say how much the whole family enjoyed staying at the Villa?  The manner in which you have modernized yet maintained the feeling of such a fine old building is much to your credit.  In addition, the whole estate with the intermingling of vines, trees and flowers is so pleasing.  It was not just a “nice” place to stay for a holiday, it was much more a great experience to enjoy a living environment – vineyard, olive grove, orchard and “veggie patch”!

Michael and family, London

We can’t believe what a relaxing, yet fun-filled time we had.  It seems like yesterday when we were on our way to Castiglione del Lago full of anticipation for our time at Villa Gioianna.  Then we came up the drive and all our expectations were met.  We couldn’t believe how grand the Villa was, yet so much of it felt so warm & homey . . . When we weren’t eating, we enjoyed the Villa and all it offered:  a game of bocce, a fire in the den, your gorgeous pool and even managing laundry.  And when we got hungry again, we picked figs, melon, pears, plums, tomatoes and fresh herbs – oh the herbs! – and, of course, we can’t forget the grapes.

Kara, Coley and family, London and New York

Great Place!  Great times!  Great People!  The Greatest! ! !

Traci, Boston, Massachusetts

Not enough can be said about this glorious Villa!  I especially loved walking the grounds and discovering how much goes on here – a world all of its own.

Susan, Palo Alto, California

Your villa is magnificent and very warm and homey!  Your kitchen is heaven to cook in.  Thank you for going out of your way to give us ideas/suggestions and making us feel at home.  This was truly an unforgettable experience!

Jerry and Betty, San Jose, California

As others have said, yours is a truly beautiful villa in an amazingly gorgeous part of Italy.  But what make it special are your wonderful hospitality and gracious openness and helpfulness.

Don and Ann, Paris

I can’t think of anything that would have made this week more delightful.  Interesting and fun people, died-and-gone-to-heaven food, idyllic setting and grounds.  Who wouldn’t fall for this?

Maggie, Switzerland

Your villa is one that can only be dreamed about and we will always remember our stay, especially the lavender baths in the red bathtub!

Janelle & Jeff, San Jose, California

I had the best 40th!  I had the perfect trip to Italy and my birthday evening at the Villa was a life-long memory!  The food was out-of-this-world and all your suggestions for wineries, dinners and activities were “the best”!

Cathy and Randy, San Jose, California

I flew into Bologna on 08 October.  Rented car and drove to villa on 09 October.  Ate at Luigi’s.  Troppo mangiare, troppo moscato, e troppo, troppo grappa.  I pay for my sins this morning.  Slumber cut short by neighborhood peacock calling and church bells ringing in distance.  Cool breezy weather with middle and upper level clouds.  Grape harvest almost complete.  I leave the Villa with the car full of vino, grappa e olio d’olivi.  Grazie mille!

El Capitano, Grande Pilota, MHT, San Jose, California

I really didn’t want to leave and the whole thing was quite idyllic.  The Villa really is like something out of a film – and what you have done to it is stunning.  Are you sure Jeremy Irons isn’t hiding somewhere in there?

Olivia, London

I can’t communicate to you how wonderful our trip was to your Villa.  It was one of the best vacations of my life and I can’t wait to come back again and again.  The house is so beautiful and I have to admit it doesn’t feel at all like a rental with all your personal touches and exceptional high quality in terms of what you’ve put in it.

MPW, New York City

What can we say?  This was the most amazing week in Italy we have ever had.  The Villa is so special and is outmatched only by the kindness and generosity of E. and A. [our Italian hosts].

Allison, David and family, London

From the moment we arrived we were greeted with all of the finest delicacies of the region.  Coupled with your warm hospitality, it truly made for a weekend that none of us will soon forget.

Joe, Sven and Joshua, London

Many thanks for a string of (very positive) superlatives!  Lovely to spend time in such perfect surroundings.

Abigail, London

I love your villa so much!  The grounds are beautiful and getting better all the time.  Your furnishings and linens are so luxurious.  Thank you for making us such a nice place to stay.

Linda, Washington State, USA

Life is full of surprises.  Our stay at your villa was definitely one of the most positive ones.  It has been “too good to be true:” a perfect holiday with the villa and its wine and olive trees, refreshing pool, three not-so-shy cats, trips to Trasimeno villages and to Montalcino.  Mille grazie!

Sten and Maria, Finland

Last year, a week did not feel like enough and now, after 15 days, we hate to leave. . . . Great meals in Montepulciano, Orvieto, Panicale, Paciano and Perugia.  Great jazz in Perugia and blues in Città della Pieve, but it is the house that, again, made this a great vacation!

Petri and family, Helsinki, Finland

The villa's amazing location, the garden with its herbs, olive groves and vineyard, beautiful architecture and furniture, the pool . . . it's even hard to name all the elements that made my stay so relaxing and energizing at the same time.  Many thanks also to E. and A. [our Italian hosts], whose warmth and laughter contribute to the comfort of your guests.

Ewa, Warsaw, Poland

There’s only one word to describe our week at your BEAUTIFUL villa – MAGNIFICO ! !

The “Gruppo Finlandia”, Helsinki, Finland

Your villa is very beautiful and welcoming.  Thank you for the unforgettable memories.  This is a very special place and we leave a bit of our hearts here.

Ubaldo and Helen, California

We really enjoyed our stay here.  The countryside is beautiful.  So is the pool.  E. made our stay very enjoyable, and even let us ride on the tractor.  We hope to come here again next year.

Emily (8 years old) and Thomas (10 years old), Connecticut, USA

The villa was more than we could have hoped for – truly heavenly.  We had such a wonderful time; we hate to leave.  Greg insists it was the best vacation ever and I’d have to agree.  We thoroughly enjoyed E. and A’s hospitality.  They took good care of us.  We visited most of the sites you recommended.  What a fabulous country this is. . . .

Phyllis, Greg, Jackie and Christopher, California