Podere Le Olle

We made the most of the sparkling pool, and our room was very comfortable. As four guests staying for five nights at Podere Le Olle, we had a fabulous time. Martina made booking easy and was always quick to respond. She did everything she could to make sure we had a wonderful stay. The wine and food experience was a highlight, with lovely wineries and towns to explore. Her husband Gian Lucca is a brilliant chef, and the sensational meals came with excellent wine pairings. We're grateful to them both for a very special holiday.

The week-long cookery course was packed with excellent, relaxed and informative classes with Gianluca. Marina is charming and kind, and she paid close attention to what we needed. She planned the whole itinerary, so we didn't have to think about a thing all week. The place itself feels magical, with clean rooms and a beautiful pool. B&B guests and people on the cookery course mix together. A truly special place, and I couldn't recommend it more.

Three days after we'd checked out and paid the full balance, the owner saw our negative review and sent a phantom invoice for extra charges, including using the old, cheap pool towels. They tried to charge our card without permission, but our card provider blocked it. When we asked about the made-up charges, the owner said that if we didn't value them, they'd charge us more than they usually do guests for “extras.” That says it all about their attitude. There's a whole list of other problems, but this invoice three days after we left sums up the unprofessionalism. Don't risk your money or holiday time here. There are plenty of other beautiful places in the area, and life is too short for a bad holiday. Full review on TripAdvisor.

Dinner with the other guests, who came from several continents, made the stay even more special. It's a relaxed place to unwind, learn Italian cooking, or go for bike rides. Marina and Jean Luca were great hosts and served us some lovely dishes.