Villa Il Padule

We had a three-bedroom apartment that felt like our own house, with lots of space in a lovely old-style building. The grounds were beautiful, and people were out relaxing in the gardens. The pool had water in it, though there were quite a few leaves, so I wasn't sure it was still being maintained. It was a little cool for swimming during our September visit anyway. The family who runs the place were warm and welcoming, and Vikki made a very nice continental breakfast each day. The villa is just 10-15 minutes from downtown Florence, with Tuscan vineyards and castles nearby. Supplies in the apartment were a bit sparse, but there's a grocery store within walking distance and a good restaurant right next door. A great place for a large family.

The quiet atmosphere is a nice break from the bustle of downtown Florence, and the service is relaxed, so don't expect anyone to rush around. Villa il padule is a pleasant B&B on Florence's outskirts, in an old house where the owner has kept the original, traditional design. It's not a modern, state-of-the-art kind of stay. Getting a taxi can be tricky and costly, with waits of 45 minutes to an hour. Pocket WiFi makes it much easier to arrange one.

The rooms are spacious, there's a pool, and the views are lovely. Our host and the staff were friendly. At dinner, the grilled meat took us a long time to chew, which wasn't ideal before bed, though the pasta and appetizers were delicious. A few wasps joined us at breakfast; we fed them some eggs and they settled down. A nice, luxurious stay.

The rooms were magnificent, the staff friendly, and the pool was great!