Il Condottiero

The layout and facilities felt undersized for how many people the house can sleep. We ended up using only one of the living rooms, so much of the space went unused, while we spent a lot of time in the kitchen. That kitchen is very basic: a stone-carved sink, dishwasher, and a small four-burner gas stove. Cooking for ten means getting up early. The setting is pretty and rustic, and the pool is a real bonus. Bathrooms are tiny, and only two of the three have windows. With steps all over the place, indoors and out, it doesn’t seem suitable for elderly guests or small children. The garden is nice to look at, but its slope and landscaping make it unsuitable for play. I’d suggest this house for groups of adults who are comfortable with a camping-style setup and value air conditioning. The access road goes both ways, but it’s narrow enough that two cars can’t pass at once. If driving makes you nervous, that could be an issue.

There are nice short walks straight from the house, including with a dog, and the place itself is lovely and quiet with a great pool. For improvement, some outdoor dining seats would be welcome, and the barbecue gear feels a bit old.

We loved staying in this dream holiday house. It has four bedrooms, one bathroom, and two toilets with showers, though calling those showers bathrooms would be a stretch. A few details could work better, like the kitchen cupboards being placed so far apart that moving between them is awkward. Still, it’s close to perfect, so five stars.

A lovely place, and we had a great holiday. The house was spotless, but the kitchen was missing basics you wouldn’t think to pack for a trip: pot holders, a trivet, and even a corkscrew. We are, after all, in the homeland of still red wine. That’s why I’m holding back the fifth star.