When I'm caught up in the daily grind my thoughts often escape to the fresh summer nights in Tuscany, the dinners with Daniela and Malcolm under the pergola, accompanied by a good bottle of wine. The peace, the silence, the good company and atmosphere at Podere Finerri mean a lot to me.

John Campbell (London)

To all of you who are looking for a truly unforgettable time off the beaten track in Italy....
I have made "The Lazy Olive" my special place where I go to relax alone to recharge my batteries, to spend romantic weekends and family get-a-ways. I have been visiting the vacation cottaged for the last four years and it has never failed to offer a refuge from the busy and stressful work world. Every time I go I cater my adventure to my state of mind and who I have with me. I have done everything from busy myself with wine tasting and leisurely tours around the castles and tiny towns of Tuscany stocking up on wines, cheeses and salami, going on horseback trail rides through the country, spending hours on end soaking and detoxing at the nearby open air hot springs, dedicating the whole weekend to simply reading by the pool and simply enjoying the view of Tuscan hills and olive groves spanning before my eyes. One time I even took my family there to spend Thanksgiving, complete with a 5 course Turkey and stuffing dinner that the owners, Daniela and Malcolm made possible.
My favourite part is the harmonious balance between fun and repose. Daniela and Malcolm are always helpful and make sure I had information about the sites and towns to visit and anything else I wanted to do (yoga, golfing, shopping) but more importantly, they assure everyone the ultimate privacy to enjoy the kind of vacation that each of us want, from family reunion, to a romantic weekend. Their open-minded and international way of running their vacation spot makes everyone feel at home (not to mention that they have come to meet me by car every single time I have gotten lost trying to find their enchanted location in the middle of the night!).
Each cottage has its own unique flare, complete with travertine marble sinks and showers, French linens and curtains, antique furniture, terra cotta floors and bright but soothing colours. The owners have marvellous taste and thanks to their backgrounds in architecture and design each cottage is filled with a special sense of warmth and love. My favourite cottage is the one with the canopy bed and periwinkle walls with a view over the valley.
Whether you are looking for a relaxing get-a-way, an authentic Italian adventure or a charming place to write a book, I guarantee that "The Lazy Olive" will not disappoint you.

Dominique Crisp (San Francisco/Verona)