We were looking for a country retreat from which we could go to the surounding towns including Sienna. In santa Maria we found a very affordable base from where we traveled to all the towns and villages. We also took many fantastic walks in the surrounding countryside. The local shop, to which we walked (about 10ks) then delivered all out groceries to the villa for us…great friendly service with all the Tuscan flavour to imerse yourself into…we will be back.
After some searchwork on the internet for a holiday stay in Tuscany, we found the nice website of Residence Santa Maria in Alberi (Montaione).
We took contact via e-mail and immediately received all necessary information from Stefania, who runs the Residence.
The reservation went very smoothly. Quick replies and payment confirmation.
We booked our flights with Ryanair and rented a car (Fiat Punto)
with Hertz, all on-line via their websites.
We had no problems at all (no queing) when arriving at Pisa. Within half an hour we had our luggage and the car ready to drive to Montaione (Alberi), which is a 45 minutes drive from Pisa airport.
On arrival at Residence Santa Maria, Stefania welcomed
us, showed our appartment and gave a lot of practical information and tips (good restaurants / supermarkets / open markets / local events etc.)
We booked the Michelangelo appartment, which is a duplex with a nice kitchen, 2 (small) badrooms with a shower, 2 bedrooms each with a double bed, 3 terraces. This appartment is spacious enough for 4 persons, comfortable (sattelite tv / dishwasher) and very clean.
However, no air conditioning, which is a little bit a pity in the hot season (July / August).
There is safe parking space for the car.
During our stay the 10 appartments were fully occupied : Belgians, Dutch, Spanish, Italians, Germans, English.
Some couples, but most families with children.
But it remains a quiet residence where you can relax at the
beautiful swimming pool or enjoy the well kept garden.
There is garden furniture available for all guests at swimming pool.
Alberi (Montaione) is well located to visit the most interesting places in the north/middle of Tuscany. San Gimignano, Volterra, Firenze, Sienna, Pisa, Lucca, Certaldo, Pontedera (Vespa Museum), San Miniato, Colle di Val d’Elsa are all within 30 to 60 minutes’ drive.
We would highly recommend Residence Santa Maria to families who want to combine a relaxing holiday at the poolside with visiting losts of beautiful places.
The only negative point in Tuscany are the very aggressive tiger mosquitos.
Ospiti silenziosi, a ciascuno la propria privacy in un contesto verde e fiorito. La gestione familiare è particolarmente simpatica, giovanile e disponibile e saltuariamente intrattiene con musica dal vivo senza essere invadente. Per rilassarsi è un ottimo punto di sosta settimanale per girare i vicini dintorni pieni d’ arte e piaceri culinari, come San Giminiano e Volterra. Lo consiglio a coloro che vogliono distrarsi dal caos cittadino e vivere in un contesto di villa /casale di rustico toscano particolarmente curato e rinfrescarsi con un tuffo nella piscina attrezzata.
Grazie da stefania, matteo e la piccola arianna giovanna da milano.
We stayed one week at Santa Maria in July 2009. The place was very peaceful. Staff was helpful and friendly. Garden is beautiful with lot of roses and a great pool (enough sunbeds!). The apartments were clean and with dishwasher. The nearest towns Montaione and San Miniato are sympathetic and Santa Maria is also close to San Gimignano, Florence and Siena. Also no more than one hour drive to the beach. The only thing we missed, was the air conditioning. Liisa from Finland.
October was quiet not many other guests there but we didn’t mind this. The position of the accommodation is in a quiet village in beautiful countryside. The autumn colours were outstanding.
When we arrived Stefania was really welcoming and nothing was too much trouble. There was a vase of roses on our table which I thought was a nice touch. The apartment consisted of a small kitchen dinning room a small shower room and large bedroom. As it was cool at night we didn’t sit out so it did seem a little cramped in the kitchen but sitting at the table in summer in the evening I can imagine would be really nice. The shower was in a strange position and I think that room design needs a re-think. I really like a bath so was a little disappointed that there wasn’t one.
We had a car ( a must as you are too far from the supermarket to walk) and was in easy driving of all the famous towns and cities. When not sight seeing we went walking – Stefania gave a walking map of the area which took us to some really beautiful out of the way places. The weather was mainly good until the last day when ‘winter had arrived’ and it rained. As we holiday a lot off season it is something you are prepared for. I would recommend this time of year as the tourist places are reasonably quiet and the cooler weather is ideal for sightseeing. We were made very welcome and really enjoyed our stay.
Das Haus liegt ruhig. Das Personal ist sehr freundlich. Nur Stephania spricht deutsch, mit Englisch kommt man gut weiter, denn viele Gäste kommen aus England.
Deutsche Kaffeemaschine ist vorhanden.
Das Gasthaus Caminetto in Mura fanden wir sehr gut, aber am besten Tisch reservieren.
Ausflugsziele sind alle lohnenswert, aber auch kleinere unbekannte Orte Certaldo Alto.
- A very friendly place, family very helpful. Great location for exploring Toscana. LUCIYA SKORIC
- Stefania, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Santa Maria. You were extremely kind, helpful+knowledgable and the villa were lovely. It made our honeymoon even more special. Many thanks! Leisha+Conrad CAMELON
- Beautiful accommodation, friendly service. Would highly recommend it to everyone. SARAH HINCHLIFFE
- Accueil trés chaloreux. Maison magnifique avec “une âme”. Excellent séjour, parmi nos plus beaux souvenirs. CECILE MADRONET
- Nous avons beaucoup apprecié notre séjour ici. Merci pour votre accueil. ODILE LEMAIRE
- We had an amazing vacation and were very pleased with everything! We would definitely recommend the S.Maria to our friends! Thank you! LISA LABRICQUE
Gary Sackett from Salt Lake City, Utah:Everything was very comfortable … Stefania and Laura were extremely pleasant and helpful, making reservations for the Uffizi and making the effort to find a hotel for us near the Malpensa airport for the night after we left Casa Maria. They were also very understanding about the mix-up with the wire-transfer for the payment–which had not yet arrived by the time we left. Our day trip to Siena was far more enjoyable than our day trip to Florence. Perhaps the best advice would be to take the commercial tour to Florence to avoid the traffic problem there. It is much easier to get in and out of Siena by car. We spent one day going to Vinci and we quite enjoyed it. Restaurants: Piccolo Osteria in Mantione was quite good; Carpe Diem was almost as good. –Gary Sackett (May 17-23)
Berlin, Deutschland, POSTED: 05/06/2007 Positiv war rundweg alles am Objekt Casa Maria, die verschiedenen Gaststätten in der näheren Umgebung sind Geschmackssache, wir haben uns hier sehr wohl gefühlt!
