Appartamenti Villa Mascagni

Tucked away right outside the city wall, the villa is a serene place with old-world charm...we absolutely loved it! We were greeted by Patrizio and his partner, who gave us many tips for the surrounding area, including the best meal we had on our 10-day trip (hint: it's Osteria Fornelli). Our apartment was just beautiful, with a separate bedroom, outdoor dining area, and patio with a stunning view. My husband, college-age son, and I had plenty of room to stretch out, and we were able to get a great night's sleep because the area is so quiet. Free parking on the property is also included, which is a huge bonus and more cost-effective than the $25-35 Euro per night that we paid in other cities. My only regret is we only stayed one night as a stopover between Florence and Siena. We drove from Florence to San Gimignano to spend the morning/afternoon and didn't hit Volterra until 4pm...big mistake! Do yourself a favor...skip the tourist trap of San Gimignano and head straight to Volterra. It's a much more authentic Italian experience that you can breathe in at a slower pace. And our apartment here was at least $100 cheaper per night than the hotel we originally booked in San Gimignano! A couple of things to keep in mind...there is no food service, so be prepared to drive or walk into town to hit a market or bakery (Patrizio and his partner are more than happy to direct you to a great bakery and nearby grocery store). Also, the bathroom plumbing might seem a bit antiquated and a bit slow, but remember this is an historic property and many of the original details are what make it so charming.