Ala di Maniero in Agriturismo Valdrago in Toscana, nel Verde Mugello sulle Colline di Firenze Autodromo Mugello Circuit

We had a very pleasant stay at Ala di Maniero in Agriturismo Valdrago. The rooms were very clean, comfortable, and well maintained. The scenery around the property is absolutely beautiful, with an amazing Tuscan countryside view that makes the stay very relaxing and peaceful. The property is run by a very kind and welcoming family who make you feel at home from the moment you arrive. Their restaurant is also very good, and you can confidently enjoy local food there in a warm and authentic atmosphere. The only negative point was the location shown on Booking.com, which was not accurate. The owners send the correct location privately after the reservation, which can be a little confusing at first. Other than that, everything was great and we truly enjoyed our stay.

Struttura pulita ed accogliente

Podere Badia is certainly rural! Only accessible by car. We loved it. 4 of us stayed 3 nights and left very relaxed after an idyllic stay. A slight complication was a winter landslide onto the road between the farm and the local village, so a detour was needed - and advised to me well in advance. Our satnav took us there without problem. Beware, there are narrow winding roads and it is 20 mins from shops, and only 1-2 local hostelries (we did not seek them out). This is in a Tuscan hillside, with goats, frolicking kids, sheep with bells around their necks, a white and a brown horse in the field, and a stunning view down the valley. The pool was delightful, clean and with plenty sunbeds, a poolside 'honesty bar', and much needed shade. On arrival we had a late al fresco lunch (purchased salads, cold meats etc en route) overlooking the pool and the valley - instantly charming and relaxing. Our 3 rooms in the original house had a double and single bed in each. We ate in the kitchen (basically equipped; old-fashioned - so no coffee machine or toaster but huge American frig/freezer, microwave, small coffee percolator). It was a relaxing way to live 'en famille' with no timetable, no staff or others, so private. We dined in the open air outside our house on-site each evening with other guests (in several modern 2 person units) - a table d'hote menu of antipasta, prima of pasta and secundo of meat with salad. Varied light desserts and/or coffee were extra. Wine and water were available. Our host, Jacopo, was proud of local fare - prosciutto, home-made lasagne etc. He gave me a small can of his own olive oil, grown on the homestead. We drove to Scarperia (20 mins on hairpin bends) and shopped in Conad supermarket. Plenty options for lunch picnics, wine, beers, etc. The Mugello Race Circuit is just to the east, and audible from Podere Badia. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would go again.

I'd not have booked if I'd know there was only 1 bathroom for the house and no other toilet. However, it worked out fine for 4 adults. There was a jacuzzi bath and two wash basins. The all white shower was not very clean (grouting and crevisses needed a good scrub). No AC. Open windows kept us reasonably cool (early June) but we were woken early by Jacopo and his staff talking loudly outside as they started early. We could see a heat haze down in the valley all day/evening, so were glad to avoid that sweaty heat. My pal said her bed was very soft, though mine was ok. Beautiful antiques / old furniture, though a woman's touch needed (hooks in the bathroom and bedrooms, better cleaning, well-positioned mirrors in all rooms) Any shopping requires a 20 min drive. We anticipated this, so no problem as we pre-shopped/ stocked up in advance. No lunch available on-site, so go out or buy in. Breakfast was disappointing - packet toast and a croissant, with packet biscuits, jams etc. no butter, good coffee (readily topped up by the lovely Roberta daily) . She's the cleaner, provisioner, laundress. We had bought our own fruit juices, fruit, bread and eggs so ate well. (beautiful juicy nectarines, for example). Mugello Circuit - There were workmen at the farmstead as the enterprising former racer, Jacopo was adding new units in advance of the local motocross arena holding the world championship this/ next weekend, so occasional noisy strimming and banging as they finalised bathrooms and kitchens, but it all seemed part of life on the homestead. The motorbike noise was distant but could become irritating during a large event.

Kto má rád bývanie na samote, kde je kľud, ten je na správnom mieste. Cesta však nie je určená pre ľudí, čo majú problémy so zákrutami a posledný úsek k domu je kamenistý. Avšak pre každé auto prejazdný. Dom je zariadený v klasickom štýle...kto hľadá moderný nábytok, nech ide radšej inde. Všade však bolo čisto, mali sme dostatok uterákov a hygienických potrieb. Raňajky sú v cene - jogurt, mlieko, džús, keksy, sucháre a balené croissanty. Z terasy je krásny výhľad do okolia Pán majiteľ bol veľmi milý, vedel sa dohovoriť anglicky.

Žiaľ (a je mi to naozaj ľúto, že to musím napísať, lebo nerada píšem kritiku, ak je majiteľ veľmi príjemný) musím napísať, že sme boli veľmi sklamaní, či sa týka večere. Navštívili sme veľa agroturissmo a vždy sme boli veľmi spokojní. Preto nás zaskočilo, že tu sme dostali večeru v plastových nádobách, tanieroch. Predjedlo bolo veľmi skromné (jedno koliesko klobásy, plátok salámy a malý kúsok syra na osobu), cestoviny boli prevarené (sme zvyknutí na al dente), chuťovo akoby zo starých surovín. Druhé jedlo boli grilované rebierka, ale tiež neboli čerstvo pripravované. Keď sme jedlo reklamovali, dostali sme síce ako kompenzáciu dezert zdarma, ale inak sme si museli zaplatiť celú sumu - 25€/osobu. Možno sme mali len smolu,že to v ten deň nevyšlo. Pozor, do bazéna je treba kúpaciu čiapku.