Dear Grace,
Thank you for allowing us to stay in your beautiful villa in Todi in September. We all loved it and had a great time. It was such an unbelievable experience that it is difficult to describe to family and family. It is so hard to put into words how beautiful the villa, the furnishings, the pool, the scenery and the view of the Umbrian countryside are. We loved hearing the cows early in the morning. We loved the kitchen!! The people in Todi are so friendly.
My husband and I stayed in the stone cottage. We were so comfortable and it was so close to the main villa, yet we felt we were by ourselves.
Stefano met us at the airport, and what a gen he is. Such a nice guy, very kind and funny, always smiling. Stefano patiently waited at the airport for two hours while we filed a claim for lost luggage. I had such a nice chat with him while we were waiting.
Giuseppina and Elena welcomed us at the villa and prepared a wonderful meal. I wish I could have some of her tiramisu right now. The table was set outside, and all ten of us sat at one table, drank wine, ate and enjoyed the delicious meal and the breathtaking view. The weather was perfect every day we were there.
Unfortunately, the time went too fast. We were very busy travelling to Todi, Assisi, Spello, Orvieto, Deruta, Fiore, Rome, Siena, Chianti, San Gimignano. What fun the wine tasting in Spello was! What a character Robert Angellini is. I was never tired and felt great the whole time. Maybe it was the scenery, the food, the wine, the clean air or maybe I was just so very grateful that I was able to do it.
When I look back at all the planning and anticipation, all the e-mailing and researching websites, I am sad that it is over. However, we have wonderful memories and maybe someday we will be able to do it again. It will be fun to recap our experiences when we gather to share photographs of our trip, see the video, and share some wine from the Spello wine tasting.
Thank you for all the information you gave me (train schedules, car rental info with Stefano, websites, etc.) It made traveling so much easier.
Hopefully we will be able to return one day. I would love for it to be next year. Some of our friends would like us to take them. I would return in a heartbeat!
I will never forget the wonderful time we had in Italy, especially at Domus Gratia. Those two weeks in Italy were truly some of the best moments in my life. Thank you again for making it all possible.
Fondly,
Linda
Indiana
Dear Grace,
Buon giorno!
We have just returned from 2 very enjoyable weeks at your beautiful house. It is by far the most comfortable and well equipped house we have ever stayed in.
The kitchen was a delight to cook in and the extensive selection of wine glasses kept the boys happy!
The pool was always spotless, and what a view!
I am afraid that my Italian did not get much further than basic, so I couldn't fully express our appreciation of the delicious meal that Signora Giuseppina cooked for us or the care taken by her and Mario to keep the house and gardens immaculate.
I would be grateful if you could convey our sentiments and gratitude.
Thank you. I hope you had a good holiday as well.
Best wishes.
Ali M.
UK
I passed a most splendid holiday at Domus Gratia in the middle of June. The accommodation was undoubtedly the best I have ever rented. The rooms (and beds) were large and the living spaces comfortable to accommodate 13 adults. Kitchen equipment and facilities made cooking a joy, although I would recommend getting the housekeeper to cater, and also a visit to the restaurant at nearby Titingano (a veritable belt-loosener and spectacular value at 20 Euros a head).
The highlight of the holiday would have to be the pool with knockout views. Indeed some members of our party were unable to motivate themselves to leave the property at all during the week while the rest of us explored the region. Nearby Todi was unspoiled and characterful, Perugia lively (and well served by underground escalators to bring you into the city centre), Assisi unmistakeable (almost - don't ask), and Orvieto spectacular. My personal favourite visit was to the cascata del mammore, pretty impressive, at least by European standards.
All in all a fabulous time was had by the entire group. It was a shame to have to leave, but I look forward with anticipation to a future visit.
Steven Barnes, London
Dear Grace,
We had such a wonderful and renewing time at the villa (Domus Gratia) that it has taken us a month to mentally and emotionally unpack!
We all agreed that it is a magnificent house with wonderful attention to detail, and a fabulous setting that could not be improved. What a joy to sit as the afternoon waned and we returned from our adventures to bask in the views, dare ourselves into the beautiful pool and sip local wine while we unwound. You know the feeling, we are sure.
Giuseppina and Elena were wonderful; we enjoyed their cooking on three occasions and could not have been more pleased. Mario was efficient and friendly, and Stefano did a great job with pickups, car rentals, etc., and always a big smile on his face.
We enjoyed your tour books, which supplemented the many we had brought, and as a special gift I left for you one or two of my own signed books. I hope you get to enjoy them one day, or that your guests do.
Were you or Giuseppina and her family responsible for the wine? In any case, it was delicious, and we are grateful. Stefano also treated us to two special bottles which we treasure.
As for traveling around, Todi and Orvieto were certainly my favorites, although we did enjoy Assisi, Perugia, Spoleto, Montefalco, Torgiano, and even little Casemasce. Those of us who had not been to Rome or Florence took day trips there, but we preferred the gentle embrace of Domus Gratia on those days. It was all in all, thanks to your design and provision, the trip of a lifetime, and we and all of our children, grandchildren, and their little loved ones thank you for your far-sightedness.
We do not want to lose the afterglow of the villa and its joys. Again, thanks for all you did to help us.
Ciao!
Eleanor and Joe
Colchester, CT
