Agriturismo Poderi Val Verde

A real treat were the two mapped walks into the countryside, especially after those generous breakfasts. The pools were peaceful, and in June the water was lovely for cooling off. Pool towels were available if you asked. We also had dinner there one evening and really enjoyed it. My room stayed quiet and cool, which isn’t always a given in hotels. The air conditioning worked well, and the mosquito screens meant I didn’t have to worry about the windows. I slept well too, with a comfortable bed, fine pillows and excellent bedding, despite having read some complaints about it. Breakfast suited me. There was plenty to choose from, though the juices were average. I suppose you can pick holes if you want, but I had no complaints. It’s a quiet, restful place, and you can tell from talking to the staff that it’s a family business. That’s rather nice. It doesn’t claim to be five star, and it’s easy enough to find fault if that’s what you’re looking for. Great place to stay.

We stayed for three nights and ate at the restaurant every evening. The food was superb, freshly prepared, and we couldn’t fault it. Breakfast was generous, with lots of choice. We’d come down from Lucca, and the place was easy to find. We got a nice, friendly welcome, and the staff were helpful throughout. A wonderfully relaxing stay. I’d go back in a heartbeat.

The desserts were wonderful, so don’t skip them. I went back to Tenuta di Ricavo on May 3rd, 2013, and was thrilled by the restaurant’s new chef and menu. We loved every dish, especially the fresh, healthy choices that still felt true to Tuscan cuisine. The elegant presentation and interesting food combinations have me looking forward to returning this summer.

I stayed here back in 1997, and it was wonderful then. The old trip down a dusty road was a little tricky, though the pictures make it look like that’s improved. There was just one pool at the time, and the restaurant was great. The managers always had suggestions for places to visit. From the photos, it still looks wonderful now. Can you believe it was that long ago?