Casa Bellavista

We took a vegan cooking class with Simonetta, and had such a great time. Her teaching and cooking were incredible, and the setting was breathtaking. Casa Bellavista BB feels peaceful and surrounded by nature, a lovely place to slow down. Lia, their dog, is such a sweet, beautiful girl. Rooms come with breakfast, and they also offer wine and beer.

Breakfast had plenty of choices for vegetarians and vegans, and the cooking course with Simonetta was a lot of fun. The food was delicious, too. She also gave us loads of ideas for places to visit and things to do. We had a wonderful, relaxed stay at Casa Bellavista in such a beautiful area, and would happily recommend Simonetta's place.

Simonetta's cooking class was one of the best parts of our whole trip. We could pick an antipasto, primo, secondo, and dessert from lots of options, and buy wine by the glass or bottle for the class or dinner. Bringing our own wine was fine too, for a small corkage fee. Our group had so much fun with Simonetta. She's funny, welcoming, and kind, and her husband Guido was lovely as well. The grounds are huge, with a rose garden, a pool looking out over the valley, sunflower fields by the front yard, and lots of outdoor spots to sit and take in the Tuscan countryside. Inside, it's full of lovely little treasures and feels like home. Everything was incredibly clean, even the windows were being deep-cleaned on our first morning. Our room was nice, with a huge bathroom. Breakfast was wonderful, from savory choices to sweet ones, including a fresh vegan cake Simonetta baked. We loved eating on the patio before spending time by the pool and heading to nearby Cortona at night. Their dog Leah was the icing on the cake, and the sunsets were beautiful too. We only wish we'd stayed longer and can't wait to return. It's a great base for visiting different Tuscan villages and towns.

Simonetta, the chef, and Guido, who knows so much about wine and olive oil, are what made this stay so memorable. Being welcomed into their home felt like stepping into an Italian family kitchen. The house itself is lovely, set in beautiful Tuscan scenery, and really does feel like a hidden gem.