Villa Le Panche

Davide and his dad Neto were attentive and knew a lot about the region and its history. They even helped my grandmother check in when a cancelled flight changed her arrival time. Villa Le Panche is a wonderful spot for a real Tuscan stay, tucked away in the mountains and a short drive from adorable small towns. I’d highly recommend it if you want to get a bit off the beaten path in Tuscany.

The villa is over 300 years old, with plenty of indoor space for two families, and a garden that feels safe for young children. Davide and his Dad were fantastic hosts. In the hills above Pistoia, the villa stayed at 30 degrees when Pistoia and Firenze were at 38 degrees, and the nights were cool and comfortable. We saw very few insects. There’s a supermarket a short drive away, and a gelataria selling bread and cakes is five minutes away by car. Abetone ski resort is a 40-minute drive along a mountain road, and the high mountains are spectacular. Firenze park and ride and the airport are both 50 minutes away, with Pisa a little farther. I thoroughly recommend Villa Le Panche.

The house has very spacious rooms and is fully equipped with nearly everything you could need. The hosts were fantastic, and I’d absolutely recommend it for a family or group of friends. Some reviewers mentioned noise from the road and carwash, but we hardly noticed it. It’s a beautiful location, tucked away in the Tuscan hills.

We had a lovely week at the house with my family, though the weather unfortunately wasn’t great. The swimming pool was great when the sun came out, and Davide and his father were very welcoming and helpful. The house itself is amazing. There are two downsides. The house is close to a trafficked road and a petrol station, so it’s never completely quiet. Some of the equipment felt dated or a bit broken, including the fitness machines, living room TV, cue sticks, coffee machine, and some lounge chairs. At this rental price, I expected the equipment to be better quality.