Agriturismo La Ripolina

The views were sensational, from sunrise to sunset, with an incredible feeling of being close to nature. The nature walks were great too. The owner and staff were wonderful, helpful, and considerate. Our room was clean and large, though pretty dated, and there was no air conditioning. If you’re fine with old world Italian living and can sleep in the heat, this may suit you. Breakfast was fresh, delicious, plentiful, and felt like Sunday morning at grandma’s house. But there’s nowhere to get food for miles, and you can’t buy any at the front office, so pack lunch and dinner. The pool was okay, though I wish the furniture were more modern. Don’t expect soap or shampoo in the bathroom, or water in the fridge. You’ll have to carry your luggage up a flight of stairs, and the shower floor floods over a bit. Hope that helps.

The food at the main restaurant was delicious and homemade in the Toscana style. My daughter said the homemade tomato pasta was the best she’d tried in Italy. Laura was a very pleasant and helpful host. It must take a lot of hard work to keep this place going, and I can only imagine how much she adores it and truly loves it. We stayed with friends and two kids in the Pieve Focolare apartments, in the area of the very old and lovely Church of Piana, a historical and architectural attraction. The building is huge and in great condition, with four bedrooms, two shower rooms, and a large kitchen with a dishwasher and all new appliances. The rooms have a fitting style that makes you feel as though you’re living a couple of centuries ago. We loved the vineyard and nature views from the windows. The location was lovely, with easy access to beautiful places around Toscana. We spent three nights at La Ripolina, and it was one of our best experiences traveling in Italy. The whole group loved this historical, unique place. An unforgettable time in Toscana, and we hope to return!

The apartment was big, with a full kitchen and dining table, and everything was so clean. We really liked the wooden furniture. The owner was friendly and nice. We stayed for two nights. The building is quiet when there aren't other guests around. At first, finding a cemetery outside the old church made us a little scared, but the morning views were so beautiful that we stopped feeling that way. There aren't words for them. We had wanted to try dinner and the wine here, but our trip was too busy. We saw people horse riding and wished we could have done it too. We hope the bumpy roads and bedding sheets can be improved. We’ll definitely visit again.

Laura and Margherita went out of their way to help us when our car broke down the evening before first of May. Laura responded quickly and decisively, and Margherita stayed with us through it all. Their help meant we could enjoy the rest of our trip, which had only just begun. We’re so grateful for their hospitality and an unforgettable stay. We spent two nights at La Ripolina in the Pieve Focolare, an old monastery with a small church. It was magical, with a rustic old-world feel and breathtaking views. The stone-paved floors and fitting rustic decor gave the rooms character, while still providing what we needed. The bathrooms were quite large and comfortable, and even had a bidet. Breakfast was tasty and thoughtfully prepared, with something for everyone: sweet and savory choices, ham, salami, sausages, and fruit. One small suggestion: the tricky pothole at the entrance to the property could use filling. Thanks again for the lovely hospitality and unforgettable experience!