Tuscany holiday apartments review

By Roderick & Patsy Brodie, winners of our December 2007 holiday competition

We enjoyed in June a lovely week in the relaxing beautiful setting of the Odina Agriturismo apartments situated on lawns with an absolutely super pool surrounded by Gloria's magical herb garden. It was situated way above the valley of the Arno looking across to Chianti country; and all far removed from the motorway and railway far down below in that valley.

At night was the view over sparkling lights, the dark quiet of the night punctured by hoots and calls of birds and animals round you. The accommodation is of very good quality in such a rustic setting, the architecture in keeping. Our 1 bedroom apartment was well equipped for self catering with attractive spiral staircase to the bedroom and shower room above. But apart from breakfasting sitting out in our private bit of lawn, we preferred to eat out at night in the varied restaurants of the many little villages.

One day we walked for hours on marked paths from the doorstep into the next smaller valley where little hamlets were discovered including a surprising jewel – a restored packed restaurant at Rocco Ricciarda. It was a saint’s day and it was full of excited ramblers, but the friendly and helpful staff there still found time to serves us an espresso and snack.

We also enjoyed in our week visiting some famous towns - the 700 year old San Gemigniano with its 12 skyscraping towers can be visited in a day, as can Florence. Mostly we visited by car the many small villages around us and along the historic Via setti Ponti or 7 bridges, entering ancient churches, seeing soaring old bridges over ravines and oh so wooded! More walks can be done from in the many side valleys way up to 5,000 feet after cheating by driving a car most of the way up!

To see the accommodation that Mr & Mrs Brodie stayed at take a look at our Tuscany holiday apartments page