21-06-2011 Bob Ruth and friends

We are two couples who have just returned from a fortnight at Podere il Giurato, Fauglia.

We booked it because it ticked all our boxes; two bedrooms with ensuites, a bbq, a pool and in an ideal position, half an hour from Pisa airport, but with good accesss to Lucca, San Gimignano, Florence, the coast - all at a very reasonable price.

On arrival we realised it GREATLY EXCEEDED our expecations.

All our planning with Paola has been very easy.

She speaks English fluently and even provided details of how to get to a supermarket on our way from the airport.

She is a delightful lady, very professional but approachable.

She was able to suggest some excellent restaurants and how to get to several interesting villages, which we would otherwise have missed out on.

She provided excellent customer service; nothing was too much trouble. All the staff and family were very friendly.

The property itself is a two storey house with all the facilities we needed including SMEG oven, dishwasher, coffee maker, TV etc.

The layout was as expected although roomier than the photos suggest. It was thoroughly clean and very well maintained.

The staircase was stone, but it did have a cord rail so we soon got used to it.

There were two tables for eating outside one at the front of the property and one at the back, so it was easy to ensure privacy from fellow visitors.

The BBQ facility is excellent and the house provides a cool retreat from the outside heat. We all agreed that the setting in the countryside was superb; set in an estate of fields, paddocks for horses and free access to walk the area.

We drove into Fauglia for a couple of meals and the Collesalvetti supermarket provided an excellent choice of food.

The pool was a very good size and the sun loungers etc first rate.We had a relaxing and peaceful stay at Podere.

It was always lovely to return there from our visits to Pisa, San Gimignano, San Miniato, Livorno, Vada , Torre del Lago and Lucca. (the bike ride round the walls, opera recital in the evening)

The local countryside was beautiful as well and our trip to the hill top village of Lari was a treat.

There were many good restaurants around the area.

We particularly enjoyed the fish-seafood restaurant Novelli in Livorno, well worth the ride out.

Thanks Paola for your very welcoming hospitality.

We would wholeheartedly recommend Podere il Giurato to friends & family.