Guestbook

A really fabulous Villa with breathtaking surroundings in a lovely village. The outdoor space is perfect with a really well thought out outdoor kitchen, pool, hot tub and sitting area with gas fire pit.
So relaxing! Thank you

Just back from an awesome 2 weeks at Villa Ariola. Out of a rating of 5 this gets a 10!! Everything was there that you could conceivably need. The Pizza Oven, Fire Oven and BBQ were all put to good use. Masses of wood was available, and even the firelighters. Nothing was needed to to be bought.

The pool, hot tub and all the sun beds were put to extensive use as was the outside bar. Everything had been thought about!!

Inside the kitchen with a great American fridge / freezer gave us plenty of ice and fridge space. every item you could need in a kitchen was there.

Bill and Lynn could not have been more helpful and booked the restaurants and taxis for us.

Definitely planning on going again - 10/5

We stayed at the Villa from the 4th June until the 16th June 2023. From the moment we arrived the Villa had its own sense of magic, beautifully laid out, lovely pool with electric cover and 'Hot Tub' The outdoor kitchen was great to use and the outdoor dining area was lovely to use in the evenings. The bedroom (with Air-Con) were of a good size and we enjoyed using the TV room for occasional evening entertainment.

The hamlet, only comprised of very few properties, but one felt very much part of the environment and an easy drive for restaurants and shopping.

The Wi-Fi was very important as it allowed me to keep in touch with the office and the outer world !

Finally, I would not hesitate to recommend this Villa to anyone wanting to visit this part of Tucany.

The Real Italy
5 Stars.
Villa Ariola, its position and surroundings offer something for everybody. The Villa itself is beautifully spacious and well appointed – there’s enough of everything and everything works, which has not been my experience in other holiday villas. I also really appreciated the number of bathrooms; I hate having people waiting for me and this never happened. My sister is a keen (and excellent) cook and she was in her element in the lovely Ariola kitchen.
My sister and brother-in-law and their little daughter spent most of the time at ‘home’, sunbathing, swimming, playing, pottering and soaking up the peace and beauty of the place. It was a joy to watch all their stress dissolve during our stay.
My husband and I, on the other hand, covered a great deal of ground. We did a lot of walking through the stunning countryside right on Ariola’s doorstep, we checked out the beaches and made a couple of very satisfying day trips, one to Firenze and one to the Cinque Terre. We also visited a vineyard recommended by Lynn & Bill and couldn’t leave without buying a few gallons of local wine to take home (just as well we’d come to Italy by car!).
I know and love Italy but I’ve made a few mistakes with holiday destinations in the past. Irola, however, is the real deal: off the tourist track and immersed in the best of rural Italian culture.
If we can possibly coordinate our work schedules again, I know we’d all love to go back to the Villa Ariola this summer.

A True Tuscan Gem!
5 Stars
What a fantastic place! Bill and Lynn have created a beautiful, serene yet luxurious hideaway. They really seem to have thought of everything, the villa itself is absolutely gorgeous, in a true Tuscan village. It is everything you imagine when you think of Tuscany.
This is a big house [especially by European standards] with lots of space, with 6 adults travelling we were worried we may feel a bit cramped, but not so at all in Villa Ariola. We've travelled in Europe before & know that space can often be at a premium, but there was so much space here we felt quite spoiled. Each bedroom has its own beautiful marble bathroom, & each also has its own terrace with lovely mountain views, so there was no fighting over who got the “room with a view”.
We lived in the lap of luxury eating outside each night on the terrace [no bugs], we were able to make good use of the BBQ & enjoyed sipping our wine while watching the deer come down from the forest to feed at the edge of the property. The pool was fantastic, sparklingly clean with wide sun terraces that caught the sun all day.
We didn’t leave the villa much at all during our 1st week because we were having so much fun just lounging around the pool & grounds of the villa. The 2nd week we visited the area where Carrara marble comes from in the mountains - really interesting brought a piece home too as a souvenir! We went into Lucca & cycled around the walls, that was hilarious as it was quite a while since some of us had been on a bicycle! I saw my very first opera in Parma - think John Grisham’s novel Playing for Pizza. In Pontremoli we did the local thing sitting in the piazza [again with a glass of wine] people watching. We spent a day visiting the Cinque Terra by boat & ate lunch on the island of Palmaria.
The guide for guests was invaluable giving us with real “insider” knowledge & making us feel like locals. This was one of the best holidays we’ve had - ever! Villa Ariola was above & beyond our expectations, the photos almost don’t do it justice. Everything was very clean, in excellent condition & the kitchen was so well equipped [a real treat for me the self-designated cook] often rental kitchens are a bit sparse to say the least, whereas here, I had everything I could possibly ask for.
Thank you Bill and Lynn so much for sharing your beautiful Villa Ariola with us, we will be back!

Best regards,
Daniella & Steve, Samantha & Mark, Lesley & David.
Williamsburg, VA, USA

Perfect Relaxation
5 Stars.
We were very lucky to book Villa Ariola for just 4 days before a visit to Rome.
We visited Pisa on our way to the Villa and that was all the sight seeing we did, because once we'ed arrived at the Villa we couldn't bring ourselves to leave. The house is beautiful and feels more like an elegant home than a holiday villa.
Just what we were after and more.
Many Thanks, Karin & Jon

Wonderful stay in large, beautiful house
5 Stars.
My group of friends (6 women) rented this house as a home base for exploring Cinque Terre and some of the smaller Italian towns after a week in Florence. It's up in the hills off the main highway between La Spezia and Parma. The house was huge, clean and well appointed. There was plenty of room for 6 (or more) adults to be on the property all together for a meal or to each have space to do our own thing. It was still a little chilly most of the day to enjoy the pool when we were there, but we were able to grill, sit by the fire at night, and enjoy the quiet of the outdoors. It feels nicely remote when you are there, but you aren't far from all the basic shopping you'd need and some restaurants in neighboring towns - 15-30 by car from plenty of options. Irola di Sopra and di Sotto were nice to explore on foot. I think we doubled the population with our arrival, but we met some nice neighbors on a walk through the tiny villages. Bagnone (a larger nearby town) was a beautiful place to explore with some nice walks. We took day trips to Cinque Terre and Parma and sometimes just sat at "home" with wine, our own food, and relaxation. The internet was spotty, but after a day or so, we decided it didn't matter. The owners were easy to deal with. We had a minor plumbing issue in the downstairs bathroom. One phone call, and it was taken care of within a day. We received our deposit back promptly after our return. They provided an extensive notebook with tips for places to eat and information about the surrounding area, which was incredibly helpful. Highly recommended for a group of friends or a family looking for an alternative to the urban experience in Italy, but with relatively easy access to some tourist destinations.

Great Villa, Lovely Holiday
5 Stars.
My family and I have had two fabulous weeks at Villa Ariola. The house is beautiful, located on the edge of Irola village which is delightful, peaceful and relaxing, truly a step back in time. The interior of the house is lovely, very well equipped and very clean. The linen and towels were 5 star, in fact everything was 5 star.
We have returned home with many fabulous memories of relaxing by the pool and enjoying meals on the terrace in the evenings. I really couldn't criticise the house at all, and we intend to return again for more of the same! The owners Lynn and Bill were very helpful, answering queries promptly and providing lots of useful information before our holiday so we could plan. Thanks for everything Jo, Tim and boys.

A fabulous Villa, & we fell in love with Lunigiana
5 Stars.
We all had a brilliant holiday. The house was wonderful, very homely and very comfortable; it was everything described, and a great base to enjoy the area. The kitchen is great, fantastically well equipped; we have really enjoyed cooking here, especially the wild mushroom risotto from the Tuscan cookbook, which is now one of our favourite dishes! We really loved the area as there was so much to see and do, and we have a lot of wonderful memories. Unfortunately 2 weeks just isn't long enough. I think some of our best memories are of sitting on the terrace eating and drinking as the sun goes down behind the mountain and the deer feeding in the forest just beyond the garden. Thank you Lynn and Bill for allowing us to stay in your beautiful villa, we hope to return one day. Best wishes.

A True Tuscan experience
5 Stars.
My partner and I went out for a week last September The whole holiday was fantastic and much needed. The villa was so luxurious and completely equipped with everything we could have wished for. The pool and gardens was lovely and private. With the forest behind giving the perfect backdrop for the alfresco dining. The internal accommodation was second to none. All the bedrooms are really good sizes with comfortable beds and good quality linen and the bathrooms all ooze Italian chic.
We were close enough to visit Florence Pisa and Lucca on days and visited 2 excellent restaurants recommended in the guide for guests, Candella Rayna on the island and Ca di Muro in Pontremoli.
The owners were very helpful and nothing was too much trouble when we were planning our holiday.
We would definitely go back,
Thank you so much.
G.A
Newport Shropshire

Italian country-side at its best.
4 Stars.
We had seen a lot of pictures of Villa ariola - but could it really be true? and yes all our expectations was fulfilled - the house is fantastic and we enjoyed every moment in this tiny village. The pool was clean and we used it from day one. The lovely quietness was just what we needed. and with only 35 minutes to Lucca or Forte Dei Marmi we could not ask for more. Our local town Villafranca have some very nice food stores, butcher, baker you name it.
We will be back.

An excellent let!
5 Stars.
Our first visit to this area of Italy gave us great difficulties in choice. The number of villas available for rent were enormous, so of course we decided on villas both private and accessible to our desire of seeing places of cultural interest. Villa Ariola was decided upon, and we hoped it would be OK! On arrival in Irola, after a rather nervous journey thinking of 'did we make the right choice?'. We were immediately thrilled with the villa, the rooms inside were of a very high standard, clean, and everything well maintained. We even had our own bath robes! The outside area with swimming pool and hot tub , the barbecue area and general feeling of tranquility and large open spaces gave us a real feeling of 'getting away from it all'! The surrounding countryside and the freedom of being able to walk through the wooded hillside near to the villa was much appreciated. During our three week stay we had many days out, with early starts we visited Florence, Siena, the Chianti area, Genova and so many other places. The owners were most helpful when we telephoned them, and their information booklet "Guide to get" was excellent, with information of the local area, how to get around, and guiding us to superb local restaurants. For us, we were very contented that we had made a choice that was 'cinque stelle' for us! We would certainly recommend this property.
John & Kathy A.

“Great Vacation House”
5 Stars.

The villa has everything that you need for your vacation. You must have a car as the house is in the tiny village of Irola di Sopra at the top of a very large hill. My GPS says 534 meters above sea level. The Taylors have left nothing to chance with complete instructions and a book of attractions and restaurants in the area. Lucca and Cinque Terre are day trips from here. The location defines the term, "peace and quiet."
Traveling group: Spouse/Partner
Would I recommend this vacation rental to my best friend?   Yes.

Muriel
5 Stars.
First visit to Italy .so glad we chose this villa beautiful very well equipped with everything you need in doors and out. Beautiful garden with swimming pool, hot tub and outdoor kitchen. Very beautiful villages to visit in surrounding area and of course Florence is well worth a visit such a beautiful city. Bill and Lynn were very helpful in any questions we had. Would highly recommend this villa which is beautiful.

The best holiday ever!!
5 Stars.
The villa is situated in a small Tuscan village not too far from the stunning area of the Cinque Terre. Pisa and Florence are also just a stone throw away but believe it, once you get to the villa you'll feel in Heaven and won't want to go anywhere else. The house is spacious but cosy, the open space kitchen dining area is great if you like to cook and entertain family and friends. The outside area is probably the best part of the property. the outdoor oven/barbecue is massive and very well equipped, we cooked fab barbecues and made our own pizza. The kids really enjoyed the pool and playing in the gardens which are very well positioned and safe for the little ones, whilst us grownups made the most of the hot tub! A big thank you to Lynn and Bill ,the owners, who were very helpful in organising our stay. We will be back soon!

A Wonderful Family Villa!
5 Stars.
My family and I spent a glorious week in the villa. The facilities are seriously top notch - pristine pool, brand new spa, excellent bbq and pizza oven, with very comfortable seating, bathing and eating areas around the pool. A vast garden which is excellent for children, all very safe and secure and a great space to run off the pizzas. The villa itself is very comfortable, everything and more you could need in the kitchen. The bedrooms and bathrooms are all a very good size and very comfortable.The villa is a great place to spend the day but also a good point to reach beach / port locations (we visited Portovenere and Lerici). The owners Lynn and Bill were very helpful in getting together everything you could need for the villa and surrounding areas, and very easy to contact should you need. A fantastic villa with wonderful facilities and space, I'd highly recommend.

Stunning property and fantastic location
5 Stars.
The villa is truly beautiful and set in a glorious location tucked away in the Tuscan hills. It was quiet and peaceful and yet within easy reach of good amenities and many fascinating towns and villages. The villa itself is spacious and beautifully furnished and provides all that you need to make your stay a comfortable one. I would agree with previous reviewers that it is so lovely it's is hard to tear yourself away. However, we did make a few excursions to Lerici, Lucca, Pisa and Portovenere a gorgeous port town that we particularly loved. We spent half our week at the villa by the fantastic pool and jacuzzi. The family especially enjoyed using the pizza oven and afterwards relaxing by the fire pit in the evening listening to the rustlings of the wild boar in the surrounding forests. Lynn and Bill made us feel very welcome and were helpful with any queries.
The whole family absolutely loved the holiday and we would highly recommend the villa to anyone considering staying there. Thank you.

Amazing family holiday. Wonderful Villa
5 Stars
This Villa is a wonderful place to enjoy a family holiday. It sits at the top of a hill and there are lovely views from the many balconies.
It is immaculately kept, Lynn and Bill have put a lot of thought into the furnishings and the outside space is as spectacular as the photos look. The villa is very private and secluded yet the local supermarkets are all within a 10 minute drive (bearing in mind the access road takes around 8-9 minutes). It is also ideally situated to visit La Spezia (40 mins) Parma (1h10) Moderna (1h40) and Lucca (1h10).
Lynn and Bill also provide you with a list of restaurants both close by and slightly further afield and all of the ones we tried were very good.
We honestly can not fault the Villa or the service provided by Lynn and Bill and although we didn't need them once there, I'm sure we would have been able to contact them easily if we and any queries or issues.
We would thoroughly recommend staying at this Villa, and if one day we are looking to holiday in the same area again we would definitely stay here again.

A fabulous place to stay
5 Stars.
• This house is amazing and if you are looking for a fabulous place to stay that affords fantastic degrees of privacy, first class facilities and a great base for exploring this bit of Italy then I honestly don't think you will find better than this. The house is clearly loved by the owners and has been restored to the highest of standards. It has everything you need and more. The outside space is truly superb. We shared the house with our friends so that meant three girls age 9,10 and 11 and four adults and we had acres of space. the kitchen is well kitted out and there is even an outdoor kitchen with Pizza oven which was great fun. The pool and hot tub were in constant use and brilliantly warm and well-appointed with an adequate number of loungers and shaded areas to escape the sun should you want to. AC in the bedrooms also ensured that everyone was happy at night and the beds were so comfortable, I had the best sleeps I have had for years. I have never taken to writing a review before but this house and location is special and has inspired me to contribute this. Just to give a slight touch of balance the road up to the property is steep but it only takes ten minutes and its oh so worth it. We hope to return many times and that’s the best recommendation I can give. Pete.

The place is excellent; large and very well set out; you will need a car to get here.

The kitchen is amazing, very well equipped we cooked in it every night. The island is perfect for working on your pizza dough and pizza boards great for carrying the pizza to the oven. The dresser contains a book on Italian food, we used this for cooking some excellent local dishes.

The place is set up for you sitting outside and my wife and myself enjoyed most evenings in the hot tub watching the stars while waiting for the pizza ovan to finish; top tip is wait until the embers are burnt through, no flames will stop your pizza burning.

The table outside the back door is perfect for the morning sun and breakfast. The covered pool, was a little chilli in May but would be perfect in the summer. There are two BBQs and a pizza oven. There is a working SMEG fridge and running water so everything you need for outdoor cooking. The hot tube is kept at 37/38 degrees is was amazing and quickly back up to temp by putting the cover on.

There is a well equipped pool house with sun beds and chairs. We didn't spend much time around the pool as we went out each day but if you wanted a holiday next to the pool this is perfect. Back inside and the house is on three levels, downstairs basement has the lounge area with a bathroom and sofa bed, we didn't use this at all but would be a very cool place in the summer or cosy place in the winter. Upstairs are three great bedroom with genuine comfortable beds. The master bedroom is worth going out the doors and round the side of the house to watch the sun set and rise, a truely wonderful site over the Tuscan hills. The two other bedrooms are a great size and all come with AC which we found excellent for getting warmer or cooler very quickly.

Recommend:
Visit lucca - an excellent city about an hours drive away and a great place to sit and watch people or visit historical Italy without the crowds.

The chica terra is close and worth a visit. Make sure you get the 10:30 boat otherwise you won't have enough time to stop and visit all five ports.

Lynn and Bill are wonderful hosts and if you need anything before or during your stay just ask them.

The wine they supply is very drinkable, white and red would recommend getting a few extra bottles of each from them.

Downside:

Only one, a long way from Florence; over two hours drive.

This villa is a true gem of a find. It had everything that we were looking for and more - a beautiful pool, a BBQ grill (both gas and a wood-burning grills), a well-apportioned and very nice kitchen, clean and spacious bedrooms, plenty of bathrooms, a number of outdoor and indoor dining/seating options, and plenty of garden space. On top of that, there is a natural pizza oven, a hot tub, and outdoor kitchen and bar area. The villa is nestled with a few neighboring houses up top of the hills overlooking the Magra river valley below and served as a private retreat for our family. It was perfect.
We stayed for a week in late June, and while the temperature was quite warm during the day (which was perfect pool weather), it never got too hot in the house. The natural breeze that came up into the hills from the valley below provided a refreshing flow of air through the house that was quite nice. So, while there was an option to use the air con, we never had to, nor did we use any of the provided fans.
The groceries options were not too far of a drive away in the valley towns below. We would stop by them almost daily on our way back from visiting the lovely surrounding villages.
We never found ourselves wishing for more during our stay at this villa. We highly recommend it if you are looking for a true getaway into Tuscany.

We had a lovely time in the villa. We love cooking gourmet food, which is especially easy in Italy with all the lovely high quality food and we had everything we needed in the very well equipped gourmet kitchen. The outdoor kitchen is also a wonderful addition, we made delicious pizzas in the wood fire pizza oven, absolutely loved it.
The quality of the beds in the villa is high, they are very comfortable. The villa is nicely decorated, very clean and spacious and then there is also the large garden, terrace and pool area. Many nice places in the area to explore, both small towns and larger cities. We went for a couple of day trips, to the beautiful Chinque Terre and also drove up to Genova. So many interesting places to visit within 2 hr. drive.
Villa Ariola fits well for a nice family vacation or 2 couples with children.
The owners are very helpful and quickly attended to all our needs. We had a wonderful and relaxing time.

Lynn and Bill, We had a fantastic holiday and your villa is beautiful. You are always worried when booking on line, but your villa probably exceeded our expectations. A lovely location, so peaceful. It was very clean when we arrived and is also very well equipped. This was a holiday to celebrate our 60th birthdays with our children and their partners, and everyone came back saying what a great time they’d had and will always remember it. We would definitely recommend this to anyone considering this type of holiday

We spent a week at the villa and enjoyed the fantastic facilities as well as the national park surroundings.

The Villa is particularly well appointed for out door living with the pizza oven and traditional barbecue as week as a top of the range Weber Gas barbecue, where we cooked traditional bistecca Florentine.

As we sat by the fire pit as dusk decided we were delighted to see the wild boar roaming around the woods nearby as well as deer and other wildlife.

We would highly recommend the villa for that special getaway as a base to visit the surrounding area or just to chill out at the pool or in the hot tub.

Our family of 4 had a fantastic holiday in your amazing villa in the hills. It was very clean and very well equipped. I would recommend this villa to anyone considering a quite, away from it all holiday in this beautiful region of Italy.

We had a wonderful week. Lynn and Bill have a very spacious and comfortable home and have done very well to provide for their guests. The guest book is full of helpful information and recommendations for exploring the surrounding area. The pool and outdoor spaces are fantastic and we enjoyed making our own pizzas in the oven or just relaxing around the fire in the evenings. We would highly recommend this property.

We spent a week at the villa and enjoyed the fantastic facilities as well as the national park surroundings. The Villa is particularly well appointed for out door living with the pizza oven and traditional barbecue as week as a top of the range Weber Gas barbecue, where we cooked traditional bistecca Florentine. As we sat by the fire pit as dusk decided we were delighted to see the wild boar roaming around the woods nearby as well as deer and other wildlife. We would highly recommend the villa for that special getaway as a base to visit the surrounding area or just to chill out at the pool or in the hot tub.

We really enjoyed every minute of our stay in this property. The owner Lynn gave us a call a couple of days before we arrived and offered any help we need with booking restaurants, etc. thankfully we manage ourselves, but it was good to know there was help if needed. By entering the postcode into the sat nav we had no problem finding the property. We loved the rural location and real Tuscan feel of the property with the addition of all the mod cons (TVs, Wifi, Pool, hot tub, gas fire outside, etc.) The house is very well equipped and had everything we needed for our stay. The large American style fridge has an ice machine and cold filtered drinking water on demand. The pizza oven was easy to master and the fact that the local supermarkets sold pizza bases made it easy to make some of the best pizza we ever had - the kids loved creating their own individual pizzas. The outside facilities to this property are outstanding and we spent most of our time there. The pool is a decent size and has a large canopy which can be raised to provide partial shade. We loved spending the evenings chilling out with a drink and book around the outside gas fire / seating area and the outside lighting helped created a relaxing setting. Listening to the wild boar rustle about was very amusing. The kids enjoyed toasting marshmallows on the fire. We took a walk down to the waterfall near the property. Its only about a mile walk and it marked with red arrows giving directions the whole way from the bottom of the village. It was a tough climb back up the hill as the terrain is rough and parts very steep (nearly 700ft of elevation) The guest book provided details on quite a number of local restaurants, we tried a few of these. The best by far was the country club in Pontremoli. We took a day trip to Portovenere. This is a beautiful part of the Italian coastline and has plenty of good restaurants and boat trips available. It was very busy here and would advise getting there early to get parked and to make the most of the day. We loved every minute of this holiday!!! And now have to invest in an outside gas fire, pizza oven, hot tub and a few wild boar for home.

We had a lovely stay in this quiet and well equipped villa.
Thank you
Lynn and Bill

We have just had two fantastic weeks here, its great to be able to visit some amazing places easily, such as Pisa, Parma and the coast, as well as all the interesting hill top towns, where you can sit and people watch over a coffee, but its even better getting back to the house to make use of the excellent outdoor space, a cooling swim in the pool followed by home made pizza made in the outdoor pizza oven, to then sit by the fire and watch for the wild boar, Lynn was so helpful before and during our stay, making us feel right at home. Thank you for a great holiday and if we ever come back to this area of Italy we will certainly be in touch.

As you drive up the mountain (following the excellent driving directions), you may wonder what is waiting for you at the top. Keep going—there is a great reward at the end of the narrow and winding road! In a medieval village, next to a charming old church is the Villa Ariola. It is rightly advertised as a luxury villa. I think the price is quite reasonable considering the size of the home, the beauty of the property, and all the amenities. The rooms are large and comfortable. The kitchen is wonderful and is fully outfitted for any type of meal you want to prepare. The backyard is a haven with a heated pool, whirlpool, large grill and oven, gas fire pit and lots of cozy seating. The area in the back is wooded and we enjoyed the birds and wild boars.

We stayed at the villa between stops in Florence and Venice. It was the perfect place to recharge! The owners provide a list of easy and interesting day trips in the area, though we had no need to leave the property. It was so pleasant and relaxing.
I cannot think of enough positive things to say about the villa and the owners Lynn and Bill! Their attention to detail is admirable. Their photos are accurate, but still do not do justice to their lovely home. The villa is incredibly clean and well maintained. Bedding, towels, and spa robes are of high quality. The guide for guests contains everything you need to know.

Lynn is excellent with communication. You receive a lot of information before your trip and she was available by phone while we were there. We had a minor issue with the WiFi, which was fixed immediately. We elected to order a hamper of food and some bottles of wine. Lynn makes the wine herself and it is delicious! We also requested a local chef to cook our dinner. Lynn did some research and found us a wonderful chef. She spent a lot of time making sure that this was a good experience for us—and it was!

Our stay at the Villa Ariola was one of the highest points of our trip to Italy. I would recommend it to anyone and would not hesitate to return. My only regret is that we could not stay longer! Thank you so much Lynn and Bill for sharing your beautiful home!

"Nanna, it's amazing" the words of our 3 year old granddaughter on first seeing the garden and outside living area of Villa Ariola, and the whole family agree, it is amazing!
From the start, our family was blown away by the villa and its surroundings, it really is very special.
Inside, the rooms are all spacious and tastefully furnished with lots of lovely touches making it feel immediately welcoming. The bedrooms are delightful with comfortable beds and more than ample wardrobe and chest storage, there are bathrooms aplenty, all beautifully fitted and even an extra downstairs shower and toilet, and all spotlessly clean.
The kitchen is extremely well equipped, we found everything we needed and more besides. The furnishings make it feel like a real family kitchen and a great place to congregate and prepare meals together.
The downstairs living room is cosy, well equipped with lots of lovely touches and I can imagine even cosier when the fire is burning.
The photographs on the website really don't do the outside areas justice. The setting with forest around is really lovely, the garden is spacious, with plenty of grass for running around and playing, and it is all beautifully maintained. The living areas are amazing, the pool and hot tub and the firepit and sofas are beautifully arranged within the garden and all presented with great attention to detail. The traditional buildings provide a fantastic outdoor kitchen area and it is all superbly equipped, we loved it so much we hope to replicate some of it in our own garden.
The information in the Guestbook (already perused when provided by Lynn in advance) enables full use and enjoyment of the villa and its facilities, the additional information on the local area for sightseeing and restaurants is the best I have ever encountered. Lynn totally lives up to her promise of always being available to help in anyway - we tested her out a lot.

Lynn and Bill,
Villa Ariola is just amazing, we loved every minute of our stay and now have many happy memories of the wonderful week we spent there, it was a real effort to leave I can tell you!
We would absolutely recommend Villa Ariola to anyone and everyone, and hope ourselves to stay there again sometime, it is simply beautiful.
Karen and Family

Wir hatten einen tollen Aufenthalt in der Villa Ariola. Es ist ein Schmuckstück ganz besonderer Art.
Die Villa ist sehr sauber und geschmackvoll möbliert. In der grosszügigen Küche ist alles vorhanden. Das aufbereitete Wasser schmeckt vorzüglich und dazu die Eismaschine, einfach perfekt.
Der Aussenbereich mit Sommerküche, Pool, Whirlpool und viel Umschwung ist sehr einladend und gepflegt.
Wir fühlten uns rundum wohl, es war eine erholsame tolle Woche.
Danke für die Gastfreundschaft, wir kommen gerne wieder.
Familie Rutishauser und Familie Bruderer
Google translation to English
We had a great stay at Villa Ariola. It is a jewel of a very special kind.
The villa is very clean and tastefully furnished. Everything is available in the spacious kitchen. The Filtered water tastes excellent and the ice maker, just perfect.
The outdoor area with summer kitchen, pool, whirlpool and much change is very inviting and well maintained.
We felt very comfortable, it was a relaxing great week.
Thanks for the hospitality, we will be back.
Family Rutishauser and family Bruderer

I cannot say enough good things about Lynn and Bill's oasis in the mountains in Italy. The house far exceeded our expectations with is spaciousness and beauty. The kitchen is the heart of the home where we spent many hours cooking and spending time. The bedrooms are all large and the beds are extremely comfortable with high quality bedding which was much appreciated. The outdoor space was very well thought out with a swimming pool, hot tub, fire pit and couches, pizza oven and so on. We spent many afternoons relaxing by the pool and making our own pizzas. We very much appreciated Lynn's guest book which included details about restaurants, local markets, etc. I should mention that you will need a car which we used every day taking day trips to the coast and the surrounding mountains, as well as visits to nearby towns and villages. Finally, Bill and Lynn were very responsive to anything we needed even though they were not in Italy at the time. They have two lovely neighbors/house managers who will come at a moments notice. We spent ten glorious days at Villa Ariola and would recommend that anyone who wants to relax and spend time in a beautiful place, should definitely consider renting this house. We certainly hope to return.

So while I am a little ashamed to admit that this is my first ever review, despite the fact that I use reviews a lot to help me decide on my trips I am delighted that my first one is so positive.

Everything about our experience from the moment of hitting the book button was first class. Lynn was fantastic to deal with and answered every query we had and could not of been more helpful. The images you see match exactly what you will find when you arrive. In fact there are so many more facilities which are not even described. Every drawer is full of useful items weather its binoculars to watch wild life, books, guides, movies and the most equiped kitchen (inside and out) you are ever likely to find. It has everything.

The pool is always warm and our kids loved it. we were a little nervous that our kids (Ages 13,11,7,7) would get a little bored as we are used to camping holidays of late but they couldn't of been happier and enjoyed the freedom. There is also a great electrically retractable pool cover which makes it very safe if travelling with small kids. The two villages are tiny and very old worldly and full of charm. The old church bell tower is right beside you and the villa has complete privacy from all angles so its very peaceful. I especially enjoyed sitting out by the fire pit every night, its a great centrepiece.

You will definitely need a car as there are no shops or restaurants you can walk to but there are plenty of good restaurants in the area. We found that not many restaurants spoke english which was a little challenge for us but we got used to this quite quickly and wasn't a problem, we also cooked at the villa a lot.

There is lots to do in the area and can recommend H2O rafting if up for some adventure. We visited the CInque Terre also one day but found this completely overrun by tourists and we preferred portovenere far more by comparison. There are no real water parks within 1.5 hrs away in case your kids want to visit one as ours did but we all quickly forgot about this.

Overall I could not recommend this place enough, I am struggling to find fault with anything. It's a much loved home thats been left for others to share.

We had a wonderful 2 weeks at Villa Ariola. We made full use of the pool, hot tub, outdoor kitchen and the pizza oven is fantastic! Once we got used to the steep and windy road up the hill, we were fine. The kitchen is very well equipped and the beds and showers were first rate. Lynn and Bill are very helpful and their assistance in organising a hire bike was invaluable. Pisa, Parma, La Spezia and the outlet village at Brugnato are well worth a visit. The Autostrade are toll roads by the way!
All in all, a fabulous 2 weeks in beautiful Tuscany!

We had a great stay at Villa Ariola. The house is beautiful and the garden even more so. Lynn is a great host that makes sure you have everything you need. We would very much recommend booking it!

A gem of a property in the heart of Tuscany.

Nestled away at the top of the mountain village of Irloa Di Sopra, we found our stay at Villa Ariola to be the perfect combination of classic Tuscany and high-class relaxation. This property is perfect for those looking for a hot soak and a refreshing swim while slow roasting some local meat in the wood fired pizza oven or just laying out in the sun over cocktails and music. The property not only offered isolation, but also easy access to ingredients and activities. We stayed for 7 days and choose to stay-cation 4 days and day-trip for 3, day on, day off style.

Day trips included a trip to Bagno Tropicana Beach (less than an hour drive) where we had a lovely lunch at the Bagno Marina and then off to float in the salty, buoyant, waves of the Arcipelago Toscano Sea occasionally taking a break for a cocktail or lying in the sun.

Another day trip was to Parma with a brief stop (10 min West) at the Fidenza Village outlet stores, The Ferrari Store being a favorite. We had a lovely lunch and stroll through town exiting Parma with a stop at Il Tempio, an amazing bakery, for some chocolate and vanilla cannolis, Yum!

Our final outing was to Pisa. The leaning tower was quite the sight and the town of Pisa, Square of Miracles area, was surprisingly full of places to explore, eat and shop.

As for the alternating days staying at the Villa Ariola, I will leave you with this; we returned well rested, full of delicious food and tan.

The kitchen was spacious and well appointed. The appliances are premium. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Views of the stars at night from the hot tub are stunning. Pro-tip: Open the big umbrella 50% and turn toward the BBQ 45 degrees to block out the only light from town for the best star gazing experience, absolutely breathtaking.

We highly recommend the Villa Ariola for a proper, well balanced, Tuscany experience. It will be a holiday you’ll yearn to return to.

A special thanks to the owners, Lynn and Bill, who made access to their home seamless and pleasant.

Aaron, Stacy, Barbara and Heather
Santa Cruz, CA, USA

Villa Ariola more than exceeded our expectations. Based on all the reviews we had read we knew it was a special place and we were certainly not disappointed!

Inside the villa the three bedrooms were spacious, the beds comfortable and with plenty storage.
The spacious kitchen/dining area is well equipped with high end appliances as well as pots, pans, glasses, crockery and utensils and anything else you might need for your cooking.

The star of the show for us was definitely the outside facilities - pool, hot tub, gas and wood fired bbqs and pizza oven all of which were clean and very well maintained.

Lynn and Bill provided an easy to understand and extremely comprehensive guide on how to operate the villa as well as details of local interest including day trips and restaurants as well as providing details of shopping, medical etc.

Throughout the booking process and while we were staying in the villa, Lynn was always prompt and helpful in her replies to our queries - nothing seemed too much trouble even though she was in the UK and were in in Italy.

No hesitation to recommend this villa to anyone who wants a fully equipped place to stay in a quiet location but which is close enough to restaurants, supermarkets and the stunning scenery that Tuscany, Portofino and Cinque Terre has to offer as well as the beaches of Lerici.

Perfect Villa in a Great Location
Had a wonderful and relaxing 10 days at Villa Ariola to celebrate our wedding anniversary and a 65th birthday. Weather was perfect and Villa and gardens were peaceful and relaxing and a perfect antidote to the drive up the hillside. Loved exploring the old village and Irola de Sotto and soaking up the history and atmosphere. Ariola has everything that we needed and everything worked so it really felt like home. Very sad to leave and hope to return some day. Barry and Val D

Fabulous week at Villa Ariola
5 Stars
Sonia S
In the heart of the northern Tuscan hills, The small village of Irola consists of just a few houses and a very pretty bell tower. Lunigiana is the name of this area and it is famous for its exquisite food, beautiful small villages scattered here and there on the Tosco Emilian Apennines. Exploring is a must, each and every little medieval town discovered is an extra bonus to the holiday.

Villa Airola is a corner of paradise, where family and friends can spend an unforgettable break. The three bedroom Villa is airy and spacious. The attention to the details and décor give a special taste of Renaissance, mixed with modern and luxury facilities. Both Kitchens are very well equipped both inside and outside. The outside Bread/Pizza oven and barbecue area are overlooking the pool and the Jacuzzi.

Lynn and Bill are excellent hosts, and very attentive to everyone’s needs. All is taken care of in such a perfect way that your holiday will live up to its true meaning.

Can't wait to go back!

The pictures don't lie, this is a beautifully presented Villa which has been finished to a high standard. We enjoyed our stay and using this as our base were able to explore as far as Florence & Pisa quite easily. Lucca was also well worth a visit if you want to get away from the crowds. Returning to the comforts of Villa Ariola in the evening never disappointed.

The perfect Tuscan hideaway
5 Star

We had the most wonderful stay at Villa Ariola. It was truly the most beautiful place we’ve ever stayed. All of the facilities are spotless, well-looked after and comfortable.

The location is stunning, a perfect “Tuscan hideaway”! The village of Irola Di Sopra is beautifully quaint whilst the surrounding mountain forests provide a beautiful backdrop to the garden. We were lucky to see wild boar and deer at dusk, and the night time display of fireflies was mesmerising.

Even before we arrived, property owners Lynn and Bill could have not been more helpful and friendly. The instructions to the property are perfectly clear and it’s an easy drive from Pisa airport.

The villa is immaculate and has everything you could ever need during the stay; all manner of cooking utensils and crockery, games, DVDs etc. The instructions to work/operate the kitchen and amazing outdoor facilities are very clear and the detailed guest book provides all the useful information you could need about the local area.

We could barely tear ourselves away from the poolside, but when we did we found plenty of things to do and places to see, all within an hours drive of the villa.

We can’t recommend Villa Ariola enough. Thank you Lynn and Bill for a perfect stay.

Fabulous week at Villa Ariola
5 Stars
Jaki M.
A wonderful week at Villa Ariola! We were well looked after by Lynn and Bill who were on hand for great tips of where to go, where to shop and appeared in an instant for minor house issues, they were lovely and made our stay very personal. The villa itself is wonderful especially the outdoor kitchen area and pool. The wood fired pizza oven was everything we hoped for and had some great meals roasting everything in the oven. The house is lovely, great air con in the bedrooms and kitchen well equipped. It was so hot the week we visited that we didn’t venture far but found the location more remote than other Tuscan areas we have visited in the past but given the heat it didn’t matter, we just maxed out on the villa facilities. We will most definitely consider coming back again in the future and highly recommend.

We’ve already booked our next visit to beautiful Villa Ariola. 5/5 stayed June 2019

We spent a delightful week at Villa Ariola with two other couples. The property is perfectly appointed as a relaxing getaway for people who love to cook, as we do. The outdoor living spaces are comfortable and afford good privacy; the bedrooms are comfortable and feature air conditioning. Lynn and Bill are consummate hosts, taking care of our extra requests with gracious dispatch. We’ll be back; in fact, we’ve already booked our next visit to beautiful Villa Ariola.

Villa Ariola was absolutely amazing. We stayed for 4 nights and really enjoyed our stay. Everything was perfect.

Owners Lynn and Bill were very friendly and helpful and they really made us feel welcome. Thank you Lynn and Bill!

We couldn't be more satisfied with this wonderful villa and hopefully we have a change to come back again someday.

Highly recommended!

Wonderful villa 5/5 Stayed Aug 2019

We had a great stay at Lynn and Bill’s villa. They are great hosts and made us feel very welcome, answered all queries and kept us informed of local events. Also, their wine is delicious! Very spacious and clean property. Great outdoor area with a luxurious feel and many different seating areas and shade. Large kitchen with everything you need.

Excellent Stay 5/5

Fantastic property and location. The stay was made very relaxing by the depth of information provided from the excellent owners.

Fabulous week at Villa Ariola 5/5 Stayed Aug 2019

We can't praise Villa Ariola highly enough - we spent a fantastic week relaxing up in the mountains of Tuscany. The villa is really a home from home, as soon as we arrived we felt welcome and relaxed. The village is very peaceful, we spent long days lazing in and by the pool, with only the sounds of the local wildlife to be heard.

Lynn was wonderful to deal with, communication was open and frequent right from when we made our booking and nothing was too much trouble. It was lovely to meet her at the property on our arrival.

The villa is well equipped and was spotlessly clean. The welcome pack of food is very generous and provides most of the things you'll need for the first couple of days of your stay. The bathrobes were a welcome addition for using the hot tub (another great feature of the villa!) as later in the season it can be a little chilly in the evening (relatively speaking , 30+ degrees in the daytime and probably 20 in the evenings!)

We loved our time at Villa Ariola, it was a real opportunity for total relaxation and we didn't want to leave, either during or at the end of our stay! We will certainly be back. Thank you so much Lynn and Bill for sharing your lovely house!

Published 24 Sep 2019

Wir sind eine Familie mit 3 Erwachsenen Kindern. Die Villa Ariola ist sehr geschmackvoll eingerichtet. In der Küche fehlt es an nichts. Die Umgebung der Villa ist sehr gepflegt. Wir haben den atemberaubenden Pool, die grosse Sommerküche im Freien, den Whirlpool und die gemütliche Sitzgruppe mit integriertem Grill in der Mitte sehr genossen. Wir kommen gerne wieder.

Fantastic Tuscan Family Holiday
We spent 2 weeks at Villa Ariola, and had such a great time. The villa was lovely and clean - with Bill and Lynn going to extra mile to ensure that it was COVID-19 safe. The kitchen had everything you could need and the outdoor kitchen was so useful for the kids to get drinks without having to go into the Villa. The pizza oven and BBQ were great to use and was making pizza from scratch an enjoyable activity for all the family. The whole villa is spacious, the addition of having a washing machine came in really handy with a messy 4 yr old too. The pool was in use from morning till night, and the hot tub a great place to relax at night. We chose Villa Ariola so that we could get away during the pandemic and feel safe and we certainly got that. Villafranca was close by for shopping and it was easy to get to Lucca and the Cinque Terre to explore a little more of Italy. Bill and Lynn were really helpful hosts, suggesting and booking us our restaurants which both were fantastic.

We arrived back from our week long holiday at Villa Ariola on Sunday and wow, I can’t put into words just how incredible it was and how much me and my family are suffering from holiday blues! I was extremely fortunate to win the incredibly generous competition Bill and Lynn organised for NHS workers back in 2020, which my sister Sophie nominated me for. I’m a NHS Mental Health Nurse and my sister is a NHS Midwife and we both work in London hospitals/trusts. Both myself and Sophie have worked throughout the pandemic and although we had to wait until 2022 to experience this holiday due to the endless lock downs and restrictions, it was well worth the wait and this holiday could not have come at a better time. We have both fully appreciated the week of bliss, having time to relax and escape from our hectic city work life. We were lucky enough to be able to bring our family too - our parents, brother and Sophie’s partner.

The villa itself is stunning, the interior is beautifully thought out and unique, the bedrooms were spacious and very comfortable, we all had our own separate bathrooms and the kitchen was well equipped with everything you needed from a coffee machine, to filtered water/ice machine, to every type of cooking utensil you can think of! We felt very safe and secure throughout our stay.

The garden is glorious, again with plenty of space to relax and unwind in. The firepit is cozy and an ideal place to relax around and have a glass of wine. The swimming pool was fantastic with lots of sun loungers around it to read a book and bask in the sun. The ping pong table was well used for tournaments within our family! One evening we made our own pizzas and used the outside pizza oven, we all agreed it was some of the best pizza we had ever tasted! We then star gazed whilst relaxing in the hydro massage spa.

The location is fantastic, it is secluded, tranquil and peaceful, whilst also being a short driving distance away from neighbouring scenic towns and train stations with easy access to beautiful cities. We were able to organise day trips to Florence, Pisa and La Spazia (to do the boat rides around the Cinque Terre which we highly recommend!).

And of course the trip wouldn’t have been the same without the hospitality and kind heartedness of both Bill and Lynn. They were so warm, welcoming and accommodating from start to finish. They were both on hand at all times to answer any queries we had and went out of their way to ensure we were well looked after and catered for. All of their recommendations were spot on (the truffle pasta dish we all tried at the restaurant ‘Locanda La Lina’ in Bagnone was the best pasta I’ve ever tasted!) and they were always happy to assist us with tasks such as taxi bookings, restaurant reservations and queries about Italian customs (such as toll metres and car hires!).

They have thought of absolutely everything in the villa and put so many special touches to it; including the welcome hamper, spa robes, a detailed and very helpful guide - just to name a few! The love they have for the villa and Italy is very evident in their devotion and passion to ensure guests are enjoying themselves. And last but not least, of course their adorable dog Millie deserves a mention!

We have made incredible memories during our week stay in Villa Ariola and we will definitely be going back in the future. We highly recommend anyone (families/groups of friends/couples) to book and visit for a holiday in paradise.

Tranquility & luxury

Villa Ariola is situated in a tranquil mountain/forest setting with stunning views and is an easy, picturesque drive from Pisa (a car is essential). The villa, a gracious building with an quirky history, is immaculately maintained, spotlessly clean and especially comfortable. The garden is stunning, pool and hot-tub refreshing after exploring the surrounds and the other amenities will keep you busy for hours. Don't forget a meander around the local village. Hosts, Lynn and Bill, provided everything to make the visit memorable (toiletries, dressing gowns and, of course, wine) and their kindness and generosity were unsurpassed. Their knowledge of the area and recommendations of what to see was invaluable. Thank you so much, it was unforgettable. See you soon.

Our stay at Villa Ariola was Incredible. 5 Stars
Lynn and bill were fantastic and could not do enough for us, not only was it extremely spacious, it was also extremely clean and very homely, it had all the amenities you could want including the owners very own olive oil made from the olives that are grown at the villa itself. We were provided wine and some of the delicacies from the local area. It sits in a quaint picturesque village high up in the Tuscan hills so the view is breathtaking. The amenities at the villa were fantastic, we had a large heated pool, a large hot tub and an out door heated shower area, not only was there a bbq but there was an out door kitchen area, pizza oven and running water.
We could sit and dine at the large out door table and chair area or undercover on the terrace, then move across later in the evening to sit around the beautiful fire pit area which had comfy sofas and chairs after the sun went down, it has to be one of the most beauty places I have ever been, we will definitely be returning asap .

Toller Urlaub! Absolut zu empfehlen! *****
Meine Familie und ich waren für ein verlängertes Wochenende in der Villa von Lynn & Bill. Die Villa ist super ruhig gelegen, alles war sauber und es hat uns an nichts gefehlt. Wir erhielten sogar ein Willkommens-Paket von den Gastgebern. Die Pools und der Garten sind gepflegt und wunderschön. Der Kontakt vor Ort war sehr zuvorkommend und freundlich. Wir hoffen auf ein Wiedersehen!

Normally I find reviews very easy, but there are so many great things to say about Villa Ariola that I don't know where to start! The villa itself is fabulous, a true home from home with everything you could possibly need for your stay. The beds are extremely comfortable and there are plenty of (very fluffy) towels. The kitchen is well stocked and the hamper of essentials was a lovely touch and really useful. The downstairs lounge was great for the kids to escape to in the heat of the day and they even have a guest netflix account which was a winner for them. The outside areas are just as impressive, we loved the outdoor kitchen and pool was an absolute hit, spotlessly clean, as was everything inside and out of the villa. The attention to detail was very impressive and the gardens beautiful and well kept.
The only thing to top the villa and grounds were the wonderful hosts. Bill and Lyn are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful but above all so friendly and welcoming. You get the feeling that nothing is too much trouble. They recommended and booked all our restaurant reservations for the week and hit the spot with every one of them. Lyn makes amazing wine which is ridiculously reasonable and we were delighted to drink a lot of it. We were also lucky enough to get some of Bill's veg from the allotment. I couldn't recommend Villa Ariola highly enough for a tranquil stay in Tuscany. Thank you Bill and Lyn for a fabulous stay and the "best holiday villa (ever!)" We think they should win an award for it!! Sarah, Steve and George, UK.

Villa Ariola is, by far, an outstanding 5 star vacation property we highly recommend. We are 2 couples who are friends/family and have travelled Europe and the UK together. We enjoy renting a car and exploring where we vacation. We initially chose the villa because of the amenities offered, yes the on line pictures intrigued us, but mainly because of the location and short distances from the villa to Pisa, Lucca, La Spazia, Genoa, Florence, Cinque Terra and even Lake Como. For us it seemed a perfect location to explore all Northern Tuscany by car or train and not be caught up staying in touristy, noisy cities or in hotels during our 2 week stay in Italy.

Then we arrived…. Villa Ariola is located high in the hills of Villa Franca and sits in a quiet quaint little village and the accommodations from the very 1st exceeded our expectations immediately. Everything about this home is warm and welcoming; all the more so because of the kindhearted, warm hospitality of our hosts Bill and Lynn. Right away we felt we just met new friends. They are the most professional, accommodating, caring "landlords" I have worked with in all the years of traveling and renting vacation homes. The villa is comfortable, cozy, beautifully and tastefully decorated and thought-out. It was exceptionally clean and extremely well stocked with everything you need. We were greeted by Bill, Lynn and their adorable dog Millie who gave us a tour of the home and gardens, explained everything and even welcomed us with a thoughtful basket of goodies to make dinner and breakfast, including fresh vegetables from their garden, including Villa Ariola wine to begin our stay, understanding we probably didn’t get to a grocery. Thank you, thank you so much for sure we need our coffee and breakfast in the morning. (BTW the wine had a wonderful flavor and finish!) The most amazing thing for me, as I’m a foodie who loves cooking, was the kitchen -- it was equipped with EVERYTHING you could ever want with lots of dishes, glasses, and cooking/serving ware. The kitchen is equipped with a filtered water and ice making system in the refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave and oven. This home is a spacious home with 3 upstairs bedrooms (comfortable beds!) and 3 baths. The 1st floor has indoor kitchen/dining room and an attached outdoor covered dining area; the ground floor has another bathroom and cozy sitting/gathering area; by the pool and hot tub is an outdoor kitchen and covered dining area; both inside and outside flow beautifully. Another very nice touch, Bill and Lynne provided us with terry cloths robes and towels for the pool and hot tub for the cooler September evenings.

This villa became our home away from home for 2 weeks. We explored and would come “home” to the comfort and peace of the villa after a full day of explorations, sightseeing and crowds, and we'd either swim to refresh, or sit around the fire-pit in the evenings with a glass of wine and talk about our day and what we wanted to do the next day. Lynn even helped us find a chef who came in one evening and created an amazing meal for us at the villa. Two of the days we just stayed at the villa, explored the area and village of Irola de Sotto, read our books and had a quiet lay in the sun swim relaxing kind of days. Every night we enjoyed the hot tub, sitting under the Tuscan sky, gazing at the stars and just amazed at how lucky we were to have found this villa and to be here. We were not disappointed in anyway.

Villa Ariola is exceptional in every way! Thank you Bill and Lynn for sharing your home and providing us with an unforgettable place to stay on our vacation in Italy. The 4 of us feel we have made new friends with you both and will continue to stay in touch. We were very sad to leave and most definitely will be back! Thank you both for the joy and delight of yourselves and Villa Ariola; such a lovely spot. Jim & Carol; Jeff and Liz - New Hampshire, USA