reviews
The reviews below are from guests staying at Casa Leana over the years. Some have been written in our guest book and some posted on third party portals:
"Felt like a really authentic slice of Tuscan pizza :)"
Reviewed September, 2024
"Di and Leigh,
Felt like a really authentic slice of Tuscan pizza :)
Wine Tasting such fun!
Peace and quiet and the knowledge that you were both nearby if we needed anything.
We were convinced we would find something that you had perhaps overlooked but we failed! It's all here.
Brilliant house, brilliant hosts!
Thank you.”
"My Grandchildren Can Now Swim!"
Reviewed June, 2024
"Second stay in this fabulous villa.
The first time was six years ago and it is still as lovely as ever.
We spent every day by the pool and my grandchildren can now swim!
Thank you Diana and Leigh, we will be back.”
"Amazing House"
Reviewed May, 2024
"Thank you so very much for a wonderful stay!
Amazing house, beautiful location and fabulous hosts.
We'll be back!”
"Thank You For A Memorable Holiday"
Reviewed May, 2024
"Beautiful house, wonderful location and very well equipped for the whole family.
We had an amazing time visiting many local towns.
Some lovely wildlife encounters.
Thank you for a memorable holiday”
"Your Thoughtful Touches Made It All Extra Special"
Reviewed May, 2024
"We've had a wonderful time in your beautiful house.
Thank you for you hospitality.
A good time was had by all!
Your thoughtful touches made it all extra special and we enjoyed the olive mill and wine tasting very much.
Thank you from us all.”
"Beautiful House, Beautiful Views, The Best Hosts" *****
Reviewed April, 2024
"Within a couple of hours of a relatively straight forward drive from Pisa airport, Casa Leana offers everything we could have asked for. Beautiful house, beautiful views, the best hosts - fantastic recommendations, nothing was too much trouble. We nipped in to Pisa on arrival ( we chucked our bags into the hire cars and then took taxis in - seems easier, about €12) - a couple of hours here with the other tourists holding up the tower was just about right) .
We were lucky with the weather and therefore split our days with visits to Anghiari (10 mins), Citerna (20 mins) Citta di Castillo (30 mins, beautiful), Arezzo on market day ( (30 mins) , and lazing by the pool with the most perfect views. We ate out, we bbq’d, we had a meal cooked by the next door neighbour, we picnicked!
Had a fantastic day with Ravagni - wine and olive oil tasting, fantastic lunch with Francesco, the most amazing host/owner/tour guide/ entertainer!
We were going to visit Firenze but are saving that for our next visit, purely due to time. A week isn’t enough - every village or town we stopped off at were perfect.
Casa Leana itself is in a perfect location in a tiny hamlet overlooking fields and distant hills. The sunrise snd sunsets are great to watch from the balcony. Friendly neighbours, one even brought a bunch of flowers picked from her garden for my wife’s birthday. Bedrooms, living areas, games room, balconies all fantastic.
Honestly, we cannot recommend Casa Leana, with the back up of Di and Leigh, highly enough. Don’t book it when we want to go though. Or tell anyone…”
"We Hope To Be Back Again"
Reviewed April, 2024
"Di and Leigh, Thank you so much for lending us your beautiful house.
You have been the most amazing hosts and we have had a fabulous time.
We hope to be back again very soon.”
"Just As Beautiful As We Remembered It"
Reviewed April, 2024
"Di and Leigh, Our second visit and just as beautiful as we remembered it!
We went to Rome, Pisa, Assisi and Gubbio.
Had beautiful dinners, all recommended by you!
We would recommend water rafting at T-rafting, a fantastic day with the most helpful guys and fantastic scenery.
We made the most of your stunning pool, BBQ and patio areas and enjoyed the neighbour's cooking for a second time.
Thank you for all your help and advice.
We will be back!”
"We've Had A Great Time"
Reviewed October, 2023
"Di and Leigh, Thanks for a wonderful stay at Casa Leana.
We visited Arezzo, Monterchi and Citta di Castello.
We recommend Il Bosco just outside Anghiari for amazing pizza.
Also recommend the ice cream at Cafe Garibaldi in Anghiari and Ravagni with Olive and Wine tasting.
We've had a great time!”
"Fabulous Week In Casa Leana"
Reviewed September, 2023
"Thank you Diana and Leigh for a fabulous week in Casa Leana!
We had a great time visiting the local villages and enjoying the lovely regional food.
Thank you for your help and information”
"Incredible Farmhouse in Tuscany" *****
Reviewed August, 2023
"A wonderful stay in Tuscany.
This is our 4th visit to Casa Leana and that should tell you everything that you need to know.
It is a beautiful setting in the Italian countryside with fabulous facilities.
Di and Leigh (the owners) have worked relentlessly over the last decade or so to make this place perfect.
The kitchen is phenomenal, the balcony and outside seating areas are wonderful. The pool is fab and the kids play area went down a treat.
Leigh used to be a wine buyer for Waitrose. There is an honesty bar system in the house and needless to say, the house prosecco and red are incredible (and very reasonably priced). There is also a wine cave to explore which is truly awesome.
We asked for recommendations for a local restaurant and if the owners could book it for us. They went in person to make sure we would get the best table - it was epic!
If you pushed me to come up with any downsides I would say you need to pack mozzie spray. But short of exterminating the entire insect population of Tuscany I don't see what more Di and Leigh could do!
I cannot recommend this place highly enough - book it now - but not for the week that we want to go next time!”
"A true Tuscan gem" *****
Reviewed July, 2023
"Casa Leana a true hidden Tuscan gem.
Our first overseas holiday as a whole family in this beautiful place.
So many amazing memories made.
Fantastic views of wonderful countryside, outstanding meals in many local restaurants.
Our first night made special by their neighbour cooking a 4 course meal. This is a must as it was just epic!.
But to top it off the attention to detail from Leigh and Di was outstanding, they couldn't have been more helpful.
A truly, truly wonderful holiday.
Thank you both for making it so amazingly perfect for us.
Best wishes Charlie, Vicky and Family xxx July 15th-22nd 2023”
"Lovely time" *****
Reviewed July, 2023
"Casa Leana was such a lovely holiday home to visit, it was so homely and the hosts were so nice and welcoming!
The views from the villa and pool were amazing and the villa had such a nice feel about it.
It was a great week and would definitely recommend :)”
"Could have done with a month, rather than two weeks!"
Review left in Casa Leana Comments Book - July, 2023
"Had a great time,
could have done with a month, rather than two weeks,
next time maybe. ”
"Fabulous two weeks at Casa Leana!"
Review left in Casa Leana Comments Book - July, 2023
"Fabulous two weeks at Casa Leana!
Pool time, trips to Pisa, Arezzo and other beautiful towns. So much history!
Great food, one of our favourite places to eat was La Pieve Vecchia!!!
Peaceful place with beautiful views.”
"Gorgeous Tuscan Villa" *****
Reviewed June, 2023
"Lovely and spacious, everyone could find a quiet spot on their own . Also loved the honesty bar with the best prosecco ever!”
"Thank you for our amazing holiday!" *****
Review left in Casa Leana Comments Book - June, 2023
"What can I say, an amazing villa and superb grounds and swimming pool.
Di and Leigh are so welcoming and always on hand. They are both so passionate about the grounds and villa.
We had a fabulous time, and I would recommend to anyone looking to visit Tuscany.
A return trip is on the cards.
Thank you for our amazing holiday. ”
"Exceptional!" *****
Reviewed September, 2022
"We stayed at Casa Leana during the last week of September and had a fabulous time.
Di and Leigh made sure we had absolutely everything we needed, and Leigh pulled out all the stops to help us out when our friends had a serious puncture. Literally nothing was too much trouble.
The house is beautiful, in a stunning location and has everything you could need for a relaxing break.
We were four adults, but there's loads to do for children too.
The (heated) pool area is fabulous, but my very favourite place was the library - getting up early and reading with a cuppa will stay with me for a very long time.
Thank you Di and Leigh - we had a ball!”
"A fantastic family break in a superb house!" *****
Reviewed September, 2022
"We had a fabulous time at Casa Leana.
We celebrated a wedding anniversary with other family members and it was the perfect setting to do so.
Stunning Tuscan scenery; a large but cosy home which is kitted out for your everyday needs - from kids playroom to a wine cellar; a large heated pool; and an excellent service from the owners Leigh and Di.
We had a lovely relaxing break and would highly recommend it to others.
We can’t wait to come and visit again!
We also had a lovely meal cooked for us, as recommended by Leigh and Di too!”
"Stunningly Beautiful"
Review left in Casa Leana Comments Book - September, 2022
"What a wonderful week us four friends have had at Casa Leana!
A stunningly beautiful villa which we found delightful and so comfortable.
Leigh and Di - huge thanks to you both for your hospitality and, of course, your help in our mini "crisis" with the car!
We loved the olive oil tour - a must do for all guests - a more fun afternoon we've not had for a very long time!
Thank you so much. With love.”
"Lovely Family Memories"
Review left in Casa Leana Comments Book - September, 2022
"Dear Leigh and Di.. We leave your lovely holiday home with lovely family memories.
We celebrated our parents' golden wedding anniversary.
We now challenge future guests to our drink bill in the honesty box...
We were left wanting for nothing from your lovely home - you have done an amazing job.
Thank you (from Scotland)
PS Our meal made by Aschencina was delicions! We highly recommend.”
"Beautiful"
Review left in Casa Leana Comments Book - September, 2022
"Casa Leana is beautiful, very thoughtfully furnished and stocked and we have, all nine of us, had a wonderful time here.
Thank you from all the Scotts, Andersons and extended family.”
"Gorgeous Tuscany" *****
Reviewed August, 2022
"WOW…. Literally the only word needed to describe Casa Leana.
From booking to departure Di and Leigh are nothing short of fabulous, nothing is too much trouble.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Casa Leana, relaxing by the pool, evenings in the game room, cooking in the gorgeous kitchen… it is all amazing!
The house is fabulous, equipped with everything one might need!
Thank you so much for a wonderful holiday, we will be back!!!.”
"Family And Friends Holiday"
Review left in Casa Leana Comments Book - August, 2022
"Lovely seven nights with loads of Italian sparkling wine!
We especially loved picking tomatoes and strawberries every day.
Really appreciated the figs too - so divine with cheese!
Thank you for all the local recommendations, LOVED the olive mill visit plus lunch with Francesco.
Appreciate you organising it all!
Thank you Di and Leigh!”
"Magical"
Review left in Casa Leana Comments Book - August, 2022
"We've had a magical holiday at Casa Leana.
You can't get better than this!
Italy at its best, with beautiful towns to visit, food to eat and gelato.
Can't wait to come back!
And not to mention our amazing hosts, Di and Leigh. We'll miss you guys, here's to the next time.”
"A Tuscan gem" *****
Reviewed July, 2022
"Casa Leana is a beautiful Tuscan Farmhouse near to the pretty town of Anghiari.
Excellent amenities including various terraces, wonderful pool and lounging area with spectacular countryside views, play area and games room.
The hosts Diana and Leigh do their upmost to make your holiday memorable and enjoyable even offering a shopping service.
A lovely touch is a honesty box in the wine cellar to enjoy some quality wines. All the bedrooms are well equipped with luxury bed linen and the kitchen also has everything you need.
I would highly recommend Casa Leana for a family holiday and to truly experience Tuscany at its best.”
"Fabulous views" *****
Reviewed July, 2022
"We stayed with friends and had a really fun week.
Leigh and Di couldn't be more helpful. Leigh was great as a taxi, taking us into town every evening to enable our drivers to sample the fantastic wines. You do need to drive as the house is in a remote area but Leigh was extremely accommodating and would assist if you didn't want to drive.
We loved relaxing by the pool, and working off our excess calories walking up the gardens to the house. Less mobile might find this a bit of a stretch but it wasn't an issue for us.
The local towns were beautiful and the location of the house is in a gorgeous setting. We loved the sofa area outside of the kitchen and spent our evenings sampling the wines from the cellar after being dropped back from restaurants. We also made use of the games room. The house is very tastefully decorated and comfortable - we had everything we needed.
We had a perfect much needed week away.”
"Family Holiday"
Review left in Casa Leana Comments Book - July, 2022
"Wonderful family holiday in a fascinating house!
Such friendly and helpful hosts made our holiday run smoothly apart from the "us losing" the keys!
Loved the area, will certainly recommend.
Thank you Leigh and Di”
"Fabulous Week"
Review left in Casa Leana Comments Book - June, 2022
"A party of six friends have had a fabulous week.
The house is lovely and the hosts were so friendly and helpful.
We all enjoyed a very chilled holiday lazing by the pool.
A very welcome holiday after the last few years!! Lovely little local towns to visit.
Great work Leigh and Di - brilliant house with many great memories!”
"Tuscan paradise" *****
Reviewed May, 2022
"What an amazing place to stay.
Di and Leigh are amazing hosts and the house is just perfect, everything you could possibly need for a perfect family getaway.
The area is absolutely gorgeous and the villages nearby are incredibly charming.
We will definitely be returning and recommending to everyone..”
"A Party Of Friends"
Review left in Casa Leana Comments Book - May, 2022
"A fabulous week of relaxation, in wonderful surroundings.
Could not find fault with anything.
Thank you for sharing your lovely property.
Have a great season.”
"Lovely Bike Rides"
Review left in Casa Leana Comments Book - May, 2022
"We have had a wonderful week. Beautiful surroundings.
We enjoyed some lovely bike rides.
We thoroughly enjoyed exploring Anghiari and eating the delicious pizza.
The house is fantastic. We could not have asked for more.
Thank you. xxx”
"Absolutely Fantastic"
Review left in Casa Leana Comments Book - May, 2022
"Di and Leigh, what a wonderful holiday!
The house is absolutely fantastic. You have thought of everything!
Our son was entertained for the whole week and he is very hard to keep entertained!
The house is beautiful. The pool was wonderful and the play areas just perfect.
Thank you! We will come again.
Wonderful memories! xxxx”
"Wonderful House"
Review left in Casa Leana Comments Book - May, 2022
"Absolutely wonderful house, everything you could ever need!
Some wonderful pizza in Anghiari.
Beautiful afternoons by the pool.
Thank you.”
"Beautiful property in beautiful location" *****
Reviewed April, 2022
"Had a lovely week in Casa Leana.
The house was beautifully restored and the views from the house and pool were fabulous.
Excellent facilities, everything provided for and the pool and games room kept us all entertained.
Perfectly located to visit the local towns and villages.
Would definitely recommend to friends and family.”
"A little find!" *****
Reviewed October, 2021
"What a totally perfect holiday at Casa Leana. Everything from start to finish was amazing and we couldn’t ask for any more from the owners Leigh and Di who made it a trip to remember.
The house is amazing and had everything we wanted as two families of 4.
Whilst we made a few trips out our kids (ages between 8-12) would’ve stayed in the Villa all week if we’d let them!
We met some great people introduced to us by Leigh and Di and made some great memories.
We will be back and would totally recommend everything about the trip.”
"A Great Time"
Review left in Casa Leana Comments Book - October, 2021
"Thank you for all the memories and tips of places to go!
We had a great time and hopefully one day we will get back.”
"peace and quiet in beautiful surroundings" *****
Reviewed August, 2021
"If you want to spend your holiday far away from the noise of the city and tourists in droves, then do not suffer anymore:
Here is peace and quiet in beautiful surroundings, which by itself makes you slow down. It is the authentic, rustic and rural Tuscany.
The house is located on a hilltop surrounded by sunflower plantations, vineyards and olive trees. The pool is located in the adjacent garden, where you can supply yourself with sun-ripened tomatoes and potatoes (in season).
There are great opportunities for multiple families to stay together in the house, and there are no more friendly, hospitable and helpful hosts than Diana and Leigh.”
"felt just like an Italian during my week at Casa Leana" *****
Reviewed on September 22, 2019
"Had the best week at Casa Leana.
Everything was even better than we could have expected or imagined. The house was spacious, clean, traditional, comfortable and beautifully situated. The gardens and pool were peaceful, private and relaxing.
We were 2 families of four and everyone had the best time. Anghiari and the surrounding area are picturesque and the locals are very friendly.
Leigh and Di are perfect hosts and on hand if needed with suggestions and recommendations.
The next door neighbour cooked us a delicious 4 course traditional meal that was an experience not to miss.”
"Utterly Wonderful" *****
Reviewed on August 14, 2019
We had an unforgettable stay at Casa Leana a couple of weeks ago!
The house is a million % perfect, the location is truly magical, and we absolutely loved it!
Ascensina (the neighbour) came and cooked for us one night and that was unreal – don’t not do that! The local Olive Oil farm and lunch was awesome (do not believe their ‘light lunch’ claims… food was endless).
Di and Leigh were fabulous hosts to deal with both before, during and after our holiday. Can not praise this villa enough.
"Magical" *****
Reviewed 12 July 2019
Incredible home!
Can’t say enough about this villa.
All the past reviews are accurate, except they forgot to mention how magical the home was for our family!
Seniors to children, all enjoyed the many areas, interior and exterior!
Make sure you look at the video of the garden, so peaceful.
Already making plans for next year.
Thank you Leigh and Diana for making our dream vacation come true!
"Fun, games and relaxation in Tuscany" *****
Reviewed 1 July 2019
We had an absolutely amazing stay at Leigh and Diana’s beautiful Tuscan retreat.
Their stunning property is set amongst vineyards and wheat fields which were the perfect setting for our photoshoot, organised to celebrate my parents Golden Wedding Anniversary. Their private pool was a perfect temperature, house well equipped for young families and tastefully decorated.
We loved their wine cellar with an honesty box policy. Leigh and Diana arranged for their lovely neighbour to cook a
Tuscan feast for us. We spent evenings riding their complimentary bikes, entertaining ourselves in their games room or drinking Aperol Spritz on their terrace.
We loved the fact that their bedrooms were set over three floors, meaning that our young family had the top floor (3 bedrooms), my parents occupied the middle floor and my brother and his wife slept downstairs.
We used the taxi service for a return journey to and from Florence. Some of our party enjoyed a morning Yoga class; arranged by Leigh and Diana, down by our pool.
Thanks for a really lovely experience, we have already recommended your property to several friends.
"Beautiful house, fabulous views" *****
Reviewed 14 May 2019
We had the most amazing time at this beautiful property.
It is in a gorgeous setting and the owners have done a great job with the decor to make it feel really authentic but with a modern twist. It has a really lovely feeling to it - a real home from home.
The garden is gorgeous too with plenty of space to play ball and various spots to sit around with the family or just take time out to lie one of the hammocks situated in the little olive grove!
The pool area is lovely too with plenty of seating for a large family and, of course, the obligatory barbecue! Not to mention great views of the Tuscan countryside.
We visited some of the local restaurants and can honestly say we did not have one bad meal - all purse sizes catered for. All in all a beautiful home very close to lots of pretty little towns and villages.
Lots to see and do - Di and Leigh are really helpful and they have a folder at the house full of ideas for things to do and places to visit.
We shall definitely return!
"Wonderful Holiday" *****
Reviewed 14 May 2019
I have stayed at this beautiful farmhouse a few times over the years and I thought it was about time I gave it a review.
Leigh and Di are great hosts, and nothing is too much trouble for them. The house is large and the decor is lovely, they have thought of everything, especially for the children, e.g. play room, games room, bikes, and a beautiful pool set in lovely gardens with great views.
The location is amazing, and there are so many wonderful places to visit, and plenty of Pizza restaurants, especially in Anghiari which is a beautiful place and only a few minutes drive from the house.
I will certainly be going back there in future.
"Beautiful family-friendly villa" *****
Reviewed 12 September 2018
What a fabulous holiday at Casa Leana!
The villa is beautiful in a quiet hamlet. A lot of thought has been given by the owners into making the villa child friendly - our children loved it (5, 7 and 9 years old), they would have happily spent all holiday in the swimming pool!
The honesty wine cellar was well stocked and a treat for the parents!
The restaurant recommendations from the owners were fantastic, as was Leigh’s taxi service which enabled us to enjoy a drink when we went out for dinner!
Anghiari, Arezzo and the surrounding areas are beautiful and not too touristy.
Di and Leigh were the perfect hosts and nothing was too much trouble. We hope to return!
"Absolutely brilliant" *****
Reviewed 6 August 2018
The communication from Diana from start to finish was superb.
The farmhouse was perfect for us with 2 one year olds and a three year old. The pool area and outside area was idyllic.
The kitchen was the meeting place for the family and we enjoyed many a meal in there.
The local villages gave us the Tuscany feel and we were happy to just rest, eat and drink in the farmhouse.
It was cosy and comfortable and had everything we needed and we loved the extra touches that Di and Leigh had influenced!
A great place and we loved it.
"Fabulous Villa" *****
Reviewed 14 June 2018
Fantastic 7 day holiday at Casa Leana.
Everything was perfect from the beautiful farmhouse, to the lovely historic Town of Anghiari with the bonus of a private heated pool with breathtaking Tuscan views.
Will be returning soon.
"A perfect house, in a perfect setting, with excellent hosts" *****
Reviewed 6 May 2018
Diana and Leigh have put a lot of care and love into ensuring that each and every guest that stays at the Casa Leana goes away with great memories and wanting to come back.
I stayed here with my family and anothers, total of 8. Four adults and four children all of whom 3 and under.
Everything that we needed and wanted was provided from high chairs to a fully stocked wine cellar, swimming pool and games room.
Waking up and looking out at the rolling Tuscan landscape is cleansing for the soul.
Recommendations:
Hire a car as there is plenty to see and do such as Florence, Siena, Oltremare, Rimini and Bologna.
Get the local Authentic Italian cook to come and give you a flavour of Tuscany.
Read the information that Leigh and Diana have laid on. It's good advice.
We will return to Casa Leana and we look forward to when we do. Thanks for a great week; love from The Hay's (Neil, Caroline, Siena and Oakley) and The Hauck's (Darren, Helen, Zachary and Alfie).
We loved it.
"Perfect getaway 🙂" *****
Reviewed 29 October 2017
Lovely house in a small hamlet, really gives the Italian living atmosphere, very well equipped for a family vacation, everything the guest needs, quiet area and amazing gardens to enjoy in the Italian sun... out the way of busy traffic but not too far from supermarkets and local towns.
Whether it's a week of doing nothing and relaxing or sight seeing everyone will find something to enjoy during their stay, gardens well spaced out to enjoy the sun all day long, swimming pool is never in the shade.
The closest city of Arezzo is half an hour drive from the house and with train station easy to find you can get to Florence and other popular destinations for sight seeing and attractions.
The house has also a wide range of entertainment on offer from a wide range of dvds and board games to a games room with pool and table tennis. And finally the owners are lovely and will provide you with all the support and information needed to make your stay as easy and comfortable as possible.
Definitely will return
"Heaven!" *****
Reviewed 8 July 2017
We were a party of 9 - 5 adults and 4 teens and the Villa catered more than adequately for everyone.
Glorious setting, warm pool, games, DVD's, so many choices where to sit, relax, eat.
Ripe strawberries in the garden, wine cellar, Lovely bedrooms, comfy beds.
Citerna (tiny, quiet, charming village close by) captured our hearts.
I wanted to stay at Casa Leana forever.
"Dream holiday" *****
Reviewed 5 July 2017
In May 2017 my family of 5 stayed at Casa Leana for a week and what a week it was.
Absolutely amazing from start to finish.
Never have my 3 kids been so happy to just stay around the pool and in the gardens of a property without complaining of boredom.
Every little extra touch you could wish for was thought of, from the pool toys to the fully stocked wine racks. The welcome basket to the kids gift bags to the recommendations to the extensive DVD & book library. We spent one day in Florence and that was it, the other days were all spent enjoying the property and gardens.
The pool was the best we've ever known, the kitchen had everything you could ever need.
We could easily enjoy this place in the Spring, Summer or Autumn, and likewise could imagine a Christmas spent here!
Di and Leigh are the perfect hosts, from the moment I made my enquiry to the moment I left, the entire experience was flawless. I could talk about this holiday all day, it was outstanding and 5 stars simply doesn't cover it.
"Idyllic Italy" *****
Reviewed 13 June 2017
This is a truly wonderful place. I wish I could keep it all to myself but as all the hundreds of other glowing reviews have already let the cat out of the bag, I'll let you know just how great we think it is!
Firstly, it's really easily accessible from several directions. Florence is closer than Bologna but we couldn't get flights from there so some of our party came from Bologna and others from Rome. Bologna was a really easy drive, Rome a little longer. Approaching Anghiari is something I won't forget for a while. The magnificent walled town rises up as you approach on a long, straight Roman road. Winding down a typical narrow street into the gorgeous town centre, we were met by our wonderful hosts, Di and Leigh, who led us the short drive to Barliano, the quaint farming hamlet in which Casa Leana is situated.
The house is a wonderfully authentic Italian farmhouse, with everything done to consider your every comfort, whilst maintaining the rustic, traditional feeling which immediately makes you feel on holiday somewhere very special.
One of the things we loved the most was the many seating areas all over the house and garden which ensure that you will always have a sun trap to sit in, whatever the weather. The accommodation is arranged over three floors and although only one bedroom, which in our party lent itself more to the older children, has an en-suite bathroom, this was almost insignificant as the other bedrooms are all lovely and the shared bathrooms spacious. I imagine the top floor bedrooms must get very hot in the summer as they were pretty hot already but ours on the middle floor was just right. The basement bedroom was gloriously cool.
The garden is wonderful. Arranged on terraces, there is loads of seating (I adored the hammocks looking over the olive groves and vineyards up to the hills) and the heated pool with tons of seating around it is brilliant. There are boxes of pool toys, garden games - so much thought has gone into keeping everyone entertained. There were lovely fresh strawberries for the picking just below the pool too.
The lovely farmhouse table in the kitchen seats 10 but we used it for serving only and dined alfresco on the wonderful back patio with its 10-seater square table every night. Every night when darkness fell, we were treated to a show by the fireflies!
Di and Leigh could not have been more helpful and welcoming hosts. We thoroughly recommend their shopping service and it was great to be able to get on with our first day and night without thinking of shopping. They also arranged for our friend to have an art lesson in the garden, which she loved and we all went horse riding and to a nearby driving range. The golf and riding are adjacent to each other and the hotel they're part of has lovely coffees and lunches on the hillside terrace.
Anghiari was lovely to visit and walk round but just as close and probably easier to reach and park at (and with a tiny store and cafe too) was the picture-postcard village of Citerna. We adored it - sweeping elevated views, delicious strong coffee, locals conversing animatedly and bells ringing from the church. What a beautiful little traffic and tourist-free gem of a place!
We even took a day trip to Florence and booked a parking in a garage on the doorstep of the Duomo, which was brilliant. We also pre-booked 'skip the line' entry to the Uffizi, another recommendation. It was an easy drive from Casa Leana and perfect for a day trip. We got there in an hour and 20 minutes.
The house has an unbelievable collection of DVDs for all ages - we think we counted nearly 600! in the spacious TV room and a great library of holiday reads too. The playroom is a dream for older kids with foosball, ping-pong and pool tables. For the adults, there is a brilliant honesty bar system and an impressive wine cellar too.
All in all, Casa Leana is relaxing, tranquil, spacious, well-appointed and beautiful. Its owners are hugely hospitable and have thought of everything to make your visit a success and I can't wait to return. Thank you Di and Leigh - we hope to see you soon.
"Beautifully relaxing" *****
Reviewed 12 June 2017
Stunning location.
Beautifully appointed farmhouse with plenty of room for everyone to chill out.
Loads of outside seating and terrace areas to enjoy. Within easy drive of some stunning towns. Day trips to Florence, Siena and Pisa easily doable.
Activities available to book : art classes with local artist and horse riding 20 mins away.
Thoroughly enjoyable holiday. Would recommend to anyone.
"Beautiful Farmhouse" *****
Reviewed 11 May 2017
We have just come back from a lovely stay in Casa Leana, Anghiari
The farmhouse is Beautiful with everything you need for a fantastic family holiday with great accommodation, games room, children's playground and a relaxing heated swimming pool with stunning views.
The owners Leigh and Diane are friendly hosts to help if needed
The property is perfectly situated for visiting many places including Wonderful Florence
We will certainly be going back.
"Idyllic Tuscan retreat set in stunning countryside managed by a delightful couple" *****
Reviewed 20 October 2016
From the very first email contact to saying our farewell the service was top class.
The property exceeded expectations from the images and description on the website.
A Tuscan farmhouse with stunning views and its own swimming pool run by a friendly British couple set in a working hamlet.
The property is tastefully furnished and fully equipped in the kitchen - also had a huge collection of books and DVDs to read and watch.
We did several day trips as recommended in the visitors' book and all were really good.
The highlight for us was the olive oil tasting which also included a delicious lunch and locally produced wines.
A lot of time has been spent researching the best places to visit locally. It's also a great base for keen cyclists.
"A perfect taste of Tuscany" *****
Reviewed 24 August 2016
I was lucky enough to stay here for my friends' wedding in June. Slightly off the beaten track but near enough to shops, it is an ideal Tuscan villa for a group of friends wanting to have fun, chill and take in the countryside.
The villa and its grounds were big enough for us all to have our own space and yet we were also able to congregate in the communal areas too. The pool is heated (if needed) and the lawns/grounds perfectly manicured by the owners.
The owners, Leigh and Diane, were THE best at recommending restaurants, helping my friends with their wedding, taxi service, keeping the grounds beautiful and being a very good concierge service.
As I sit in my office back in Blighty, I often think about going back to Casa Leana...and I hope it won't be too long before I'm back.
"Just perfect" *****
Reviewed 22 August 2016
I don't have much more to add over the previous reviews.
We were at Casa Leana for 2 weeks and we all thought it was perfect for our stay in Tuscany.
Great, characterful house with sensational views of the countryside. Good base to explore main Tuscany highlights such as Florence and Siena as well as the pretty towns and villages nearer to home.
Pool was brilliant for my 2 kids.
Di and Leigh were great hosts
"A superb find!!" *****
Reviewed 25 June 2016
We have just returned from a magical week staying at Casa Leana with 8 of our friends and our baby son, where we got married in the beautiful local town of Anghiari.
The villa is fantastic, full of charm, history and pleasant surprises!
From the games room to the wine cellar to the extensive (and beautifully kept) gardens and pool, it really does have everything you need for a super relaxing and fun holiday.
The house has spectacular views, and the peace and quiet, along with the birdsong really is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the UK!
The (heated) pool is a wonderful place to be on a sunny day or evening.
Di and Leigh are superb hosts, and they work extremely hard to make sure you have the best possible experience. In addition to recommending and booking authentic local restaurants, and providing a great taxi service for those evenings you all want to drink Chianti Classico, Di and Leigh did a superb job of arranging our entire Tuscan wedding!
From sorting out all the legal matters with the local authorities, booking the commune (local town hall where we were married) to arranging pre and post drinks at a local cafe/bar, a wedding cake, a 5 course meal in a great restaurant, photo shoot, chauffeuring the whole party around all day (in decorated car of course), they put many hours into every detail. They completely earned our trust months before the big day, and everything was PERFECT thanks to them!
A final word on the town of Anghiari, it is one of Tuscany's hidden gems. A stunning walled town on a hill with amazing views, cobbled streets and a very friendly atmosphere. It is a great setting for any celebration, and a great base from which to explore Tuscany and beyond.
Thank you Diana and Leigh for such a memorable holiday!
"Superb" *****
Reviewed 23 May 2016
Fantastic location and wonderful house. Full of character and lovely rooms.
The pool area gives you brilliant views over the countryside.
Leigh and Di are superb hosts.
Who would not want to explore from here.
"A Dream Villa" *****
Reviewed 12 May 2016
Within minutes of receiving our tour of this beautiful home, we were jokingly trying to figure out how we could live there forever.
The owners have not forgotten anything in preparing their house for guests. There are bike helmets, wet suits for adults and children if the pool is too cool, children's toys (indoor and outdoor), a welcome basket in the kitchen to get you started,...I could go on and on.
The house is very large and very comfortable for large groups and a gem for families with young children. The nearby village of Anghiari is a very well preserved medieval village, yet not on most tourists' itinerary, so you feel as though you are discovering it alone.
There are a lot of day trips easily accessible from the house, but the house and grounds are so amazing that we wanted to spend some quality time there as well.
Overall, nothing but positive comments to say.
"A great villa for a family, spacious and beautiful!" *****
Reviewed 17 September 2015
We have just returned from our family trip to Tuscany, and spent 8 nights at Casa Leana.
Everything in the villa is just amazing, it is well maintained and beautifully furnished, equipped with all the necessary accessories.
The owners are so nice and helpful, Diana answered so many questions we sent before the vacation, and she did it patiently and promptly.
The pool was great fun for the kids! Although some of the days during September were a bit chilly and the water was not hot enough for us, but on the other days when the weather was warmer the pool was perfect! It is kept very clean and tidy.
The garden contains tomatoes and strawberry that the owners are growing themselves and the kids enjoyed very much picking them directly from the bush and eating fresh strawberries that were so tasty!
We had a great time for all the family at Casa Leana and would definitely recommend it!
Thank you for everything, Di & Leigh!
"Traditional Tuscan Adventure" *****
Reviewed 11 September 2015 for a stay in April 2015
We spent a delightful week here, just before Easter.
This is a traditional rustic building, set in a small hamlet, overlooking a Tuscan valley and the hills beyond.
The pictures show you the views and the countryside is lovely.
We were a group of 13. The most they have had; but we were more than comfortable. We were 3 generations with Grandparents and 5 children. We were meeting up from England, Scotland and Dubai.
The accommodation is set on 3 levels, as is the garden: so lots of steps; but the old folks managed fine.
The setting is lovely and so are the owners – Leigh and Di. They really do make sure that you have everything you need and are available or out of the way, as required. One of the reasons we chose this villa was that the owners are British: so there would be no communication problems.
Before we arrived, Di sent numerous emails to make sure that we had everything organised and where to meet us. She also helped arrange a Police letter for a visa. She was like a mother hen.
When we met Leigh at Arezzo station, he was not fazed by the number of cases and dealt with everything.
We made trips to Florence and the local towns; but spent most of the time in the garden, or the house and most evenings would have a mafia style dinner for 13, in the kitchen.
There were bikes in the shed (at no extra charge) and there were enough for all the kids and a couple of adults to explore the countryside. The area and the roads are quiet.
The local town of Anghiari is also delightful, with plenty of character and stunning views. The restaurant of Baldaccio’s is well worth a visit, very friendly and having the best pizza we tasted. Other trips to the local towns and wineries were also fun and the locals always friendly.
We thought that the kids would get bored; but they didn't - there is a games room and a huge DVD collection besides. Great to spend some time with the family, in the Italian way.
Look at the pictures and details and there will be no surprises. We loved it here and our daughter has the view from the garden as her screen saver.
We would love to come again.
Neil & Agatha and The Greater Brown Family.
"Utterly Fabulous!" *****
Reviewed 9 September 2015
Casa Leana is just amazing!
The house is beautifully furnished and styled in a typically Tuscan style but with every modern convenience you could want and with additions that we didn't even know we wanted before we arrived .... Wine cellar and library, for instance.
The garden and pool are lovely and attended to every day before you awake by the hosts Di and Leigh who could not do enough for us.
I would recommend a car, but the house is only 5 mins from nearest town.
"Perfect holiday home in perfect location" *****
Reviewed 12 August 2015
If you like Italy, forget that...if you like 5 star luxury set in a perfect location with great service then look no further than Casa Leana.
Every step of the way from booking to completing our stay was dealt with promptly and superbly by Leigh and Di (owners).
The house is set in a perfect location, authentic Italy. Close enough to great restaurants, shops and bars.
The house is super, over 3 floors of old meets new, tastefully done. Pool and gardens are wonderful but the views from the house make for a perfect backdrop.
Every window looks like a perfect painting, this includes the view from the bathroom!
"Perfect Tuscan Retreat' *****
Reviewed 19 July 2015
Thank you so much Leigh and Di.
You have created a perfect, tranquil backdrop for a wonderful holiday.
We stayed 2 weeks with family and friends. The house is rustic, charming and comfortable.
Leigh and Di have worked hard and managed to renovate this lovely villa with taste and elegance.
The kitchen and bathrooms are well appointed so there is everything you need. The bedrooms are beautiful with comfortable beds (although the upstairs bedrooms could use a ceiling fan in high summer).
It is set on a hillside with spectacular views across the valley and has a lovely garden and pool to enjoy it from. Leigh and Di come early daily to clean the pool and water the gardens, so it always looks beautiful.
We had an eventful time! (An accident ensured one of our party had a short hospital stay). Leigh was so helpful. He accompanied us to A&E, drove us to and from hospital and was a superb host.
It is a great location for trips around the area.
10-12 of us stayed over the time and it was very comfortable for 10-11, but a bit tight for 12.
"An absolute joy x" *****
Reviewed 27 May 2015
This was our third visit to Casa Leana and what a treat ..
It is a lovely traditional Tuscan villa and has everything you could wish for..
A fabulous pool looking over the Tuscan hills.. Great kitchen and living room.. With plenty of DVDs for relaxing .. A great games room and bikes for a little touring ..
.I'd advise to use the outside eating areas as much as you can, it's lovely ...
Leigh and Di are great hosts and make your stay one to remember ...
There are lots of lovely places to visit close by... Xx
"Wonderfully authentic Tuscany experience" *****
Reviewed 18 May 2015
This was the first time I had been to Tuscany and it more than exceeded my expectations. The property was delightful as were the owners, Di and Leigh, who carefully explained everything we needed to know about the house when we arrived.
We were a small group so the house was much bigger than we actually needed but I can't imagine it being crowded even if fully occupied. The property is a wonderful blend of superb original features and yet with all the modern conveniences and facilities you could imagine. Free wifi was available most of the time but with so much to see and do we rarely used it. The garden is a stunning feature of the property and we spent many happy hours by (or in) the pool or playing lawn games. All of the features of the property have been more than adequately described by previous reviewers. I would not disagree with the overriding sentiment that this is a delightful property in a tiny hamlet, ideally situated to explore the region.
The nearest town, Anghiari, is simply delightful and we were pleasantly surprised that eating out was not expensive as we imagined it would be and generally shopping was also not pricey compared to other holiday destinations (or even to home!)
We are very pleased that we chose Casa Leana for our early summer break and have already recommended it to many of our friends as the ideal Tuscan getaway destination.
"Stunning Villa" *****
Reviewed 4 March 2015 for a stay in April 2014
A beautiful villa owned by a very lovely and helpful couple.
We had a great time and will definitely be returning! It was a perfect location for a relaxing break.
We also enjoyed trying all the different pizza restaurants in the village nearby and a trip to a nearby vineyard.
"Fantastic Holiday Villa" *****
Reviewed 21 October 2014
What can I say about Casa Leana and Tuscany? Well it was just one of the best holidays ever!
Starting with the friendly service from Di and Leigh who both met us in Anghiari and took us to the villa so that we didn't get lost. What a great couple who obviously take great pride in looking after their guests - from the breakfast hamper to all the useful information that they provide about the area. Great parking tips!
The villa itself was just perfect to house our family of 5 plus our chocolate labrador - loads of space for the kids to lose themselves in. They couldn't decide whether to swim in the pool (which was amazing in October), have a table tennis or pool tournament or watch one of the many DVD's they hadn't seen. On top of that they then started a family chess tournament having never played it before! I, of course, lost that!
The villa has lots of touches and I felt completely at home as soon as I stepped through the front door! Fantastic kitchen, extremely comfortable beds and a wine selection to die for! The garden was spectacular and we changed our morning cup of tea spot each day to appreciate it all.
The location was ideal and we managed to visit Florence and Siena both of which I'd strongly recommend. Breathtaking! Anghiari itself is lovely and has pizza/pasta restaurants and an ice-cream cafe that I will really miss.
I can't praise this package enough and I will definitely be telling all my friends it's worth a visit. Look forward to returning soon!
"Best holiday ever!" *****
Reviewed 25 September 2014
Several reasons why this was literally the best holiday ever.
* The most fantastic friendly service from the owners Di and Leigh who couldn't do enough for us
* The most stunning location - the sort that every time you look up from your book by the pool you need to pinch yourself
* A house full of character and charm
* A fully stocked wine cellar of hand picked wines by Leigh who REALLY knows his wines
* The option to have the lovely next door neighbour pop round and cook you a fantastic traditional italian meal
* A truly breathtakingly beautiful hilltop village down the road (Anghiari).
* And I got proposed to by the pool over looking some of the most beautiful views I have seen. Now you can't beat that!
Lovely couple and lovely place.
"One word - fabulous!" *****
Reviewed 16 August 2014
We stayed in Casa Leana for a week at the start of August 2014.
We have 2 children and travelled with our friends with 3 children - so 9 of us in total with children's ages ranging from 11-17.
We had a fabulous holiday in Tuscany and were so pleased we'd discovered Casa Leana.
Diana and Leigh have renovated this wonderful old villa into a fantastic combination of traditional Tuscan farmhouse with all modern facilities - WiFi, dishwasher, washing machine, 2 fridges, TV, DVD, etc.
There was nothing we needed that they didn't have - even down to a coolbox for keeping drinks cool down by the swimming pool.
The location is amazing with the most incredible view over the Tuscan hills - you literally could spend forever looking at it.
So much space as well for all of us to use - and the huge collection of DVD's and games room were a real hit with the children!
We spent many happy evenings sitting outside in their beautiful garden, eating al fresco and enjoying the meals we cooked in the large kitchen.
Great location too - we drove to Florence and Siena on a couple of days and enjoyed a lovely evening in Anghiari.
As the title says - this really was a fabulous holiday!
"A Wonderful Holiday" *****
Reviewed 1 July 2014
We stayed at Casa Leana for a week in June 2014, we really should have booked for longer! We've holidayed at a fair few villas throughout the years, if you took all the positive things from those villas, they are there at Casa Leana.
The owners Di & Leigh really want you to have a good holiday, they are there if you need them, really nice friendly people. After a long drive the shopping service, is very good, to arrive to a stocked fridge is a great start to our holiday.
The town of Anghiari is full of great restaurants and the people are very friendly, even for someone who speaks no Italian, they are only to pleased to help.
On this holiday we had no plans, other than to relax and relax we did. Our general day was very simple, a short walk in the morning, most of the day around the pool, late afternoon on the lower terrace and the evenings in Anghiari. Time flew by all too quickly!!
It was a perfect holiday, we will go back and maybe next time for two weeks - we really should visit the surrounding areas!!
"Everything as promised -- beautiful holiday" *****
Reviewed 28 June 2014
After reading over 40 descriptions and reviews of Tuscan villas for rent, I stumbled upon Casa Leana.
Diana and Leigh have renovated this beautiful house to be perfect for a large family or group.
Their website was wonderful and showed everything exactly as it is -- large comfortable rooms, beautiful views out of every window, games and yards.
They have stocked the house with all kitchen supplies, dishes and basics needed for our holiday.
We did rent a car which was invaluable to us, though Leigh has a car available to rent for short trips. I enjoyed having my own for all of the trips to the grocery or quick day trips to surrounding medieval villages. The train is 20 -30 min away in Arezzo -- once there, traveling anywhere in Italy is a snap.
During our 2 week stay, our family managed a night's stay in Rome, Bologna, Venice and Florence -- easy by train.
Di and Leigh so obviously care about this home and have put touches in everywhere to make it comfortable. They were very responsive to every inquiry and concern. They kept the yard and pool beautiful while we relaxed and let the kids run all around -- a big deal for city kids!
The dishwasher and washing machine are modern, stove top is gas -- no problem with hot water -- never ran out even with 9 of us showering!
There are lots of stairs in the home, so we were careful to give our older guests rooms on the bottom floors.
It was truly the trip of a lifetime -- we hope to return again soon!
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Tel: 0039 339 40 40 444
Photography by Rob Moles |
Barliano 116, 52031 Anghiari, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy.
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