Agriturismo Streda Wine & Country Holiday

We could have happily spent a few more days here. Claudio really showed me what agritourism can be: away from the crowds, with a lovely view and someone ready to arrange everything, from a taxi to the airport to watching a volleyball match or offering simple recommendations. The rooms were beautiful and clean, and we didn’t lack for anything. There was coffee in the room, shared laundry, a pool, Jacuzzi and ping-pong table. Dinner and the wine tasting went beyond what I expected. The food was delicious, and when we couldn’t finish it, the owner packed the rest to take away. We got to taste wines that were 20 years old and talk about them. Breakfast was a tasty buffet with something for everyone. Thank you for such wonderful hospitality. I only wish our stay had been longer.

We came back for a second stay at this lovely estate among the vineyards. The Tuscan scenery was just as you’d picture it, and the pool has a stunning view over the hills. Dinner at the agritourismo was very tasty, and they checked several times if we wanted more. We liked the white and rosé wines, though the reds tasted strongly of cork. There were some letdowns over the week. Our shower wasn’t working properly, and although we reported it at reception, it wasn’t fixed. The cleaner also didn’t do a proper job in our room. We ran out of toilet paper for three days and had to buy our own, even though we were staying in a room rather than an apartment.

They advertise an airport shuttle, but we found out they don’t actually provide one. The best they could do was order a taxi for 160 euros each way. They also left our enquiries unanswered for weeks. When we eventually gave up and cancelled, they specifically said they’d waive the cancellation fee, yet charged us the full room price anyway. What a joke. Save your time and money. I’d give zero stars if I could.

We felt at home here, thanks to Claudio and the whole team, who made our stay memorable. Breakfast was a highlight: eggs made how you like, tea, coffee and espresso drinks, hot chocolate, still or sparkling water, homemade breads, cheeses, salami, ham, mortadella, cakes and fruit including kiwi, oranges and pears. The cook was especially warm and pleasant. And, of course, there was wine. The rooms were spacious, everything was well maintained, and the shower always had hot water. The kitchen had gas cooking and non-stick pans. There was even a dishwasher, free laundry, and separate bins for paper, plastic and glass. You can reach lots of the area by train, including Florence, Siena, Pisa and Lucca via Pisa. The accommodation is near the local museum, since Vinci is Leonardo’s birthplace. If you’re planning a trip to Tuscany, this could be hard to beat.