Hi,

Safely back in the UK and missing the Amalfi Coast!!

Firstly can I say thank you for your excellent support before & during our holiday. Nothing was too much trouble for you and as a result everything ran really smoothly.

We loved both Praiano and Santacroce. We wanted to be based somewhere relatively quiet with good access for sightseeing and so Praiano was perfect as was Santacroce. The house is lovely and very well positioned for public transport, restaurants and local shops. However it was the garden that made it for us giving us a pretty, quiet, comfortable area with stunning views to start and finish each day.

We're reasonably regular visitors to different parts of Italy and will certainly look to book through Ville in Italia again in the future.

Best wishes

Keith

Safely back in the UK and missing the Amalfi Coast!!

Firstly can I say thank you for your excellent support before & during our holiday. Nothing was too much trouble for you and as a result everything ran really smoothly.

We loved both Praiano and Santacroce. We wanted to be based somewhere relatively quiet with good access for sightseeing and so Praiano was perfect as was Santacroce. The house is lovely and very well positioned for public transport, restaurants and local shops. However it was the garden that made it for us giving us a pretty, quiet, comfortable area with stunning views to start and finish each day.

We're reasonably regular visitors to different parts of Italy and will certainly look to book through Ville in Italia again in the future.

Best wishes

Keith

The Santacroce Blue apartment (upper level of a house split into two luxury rentals) has an unobstructed view to the sea, Positano and the islands in the distance. It is a bit smaller than Santacroce Green unit which we stayed in downstairs but plenty big for two people. The Santacroce Green unit also has one large bedroom and is a huge apartment with a huge garden and terrace. I would love to go back and rent the whole home together with another couple as the privacy and setting is wonderful! Ville in italia rentals were professional and very helpful and provided detailed information on the unit. They also gave me transportation advice when I wanted information on the best way to get to the apartment without a car (which we really didn't need and likely would have found a hassle). The owner and her assistant were wonderful as well. They greeted us with fresh flowers and a bowl of lemons from the garden and gorgeous red cherry tomatoes which are full of flavor impossible to get from a greenhouse or when shipped to a grocery store from far away.

The units had wireless and TVs with Sky boxes (the latter not necessary as the surroundings are far better to look at and absorb than anything on TV). They were wonderfully located just below the church and close to the restaurants and grocers of the town. We got used to the hundreds of steps down to the beach and the trip was worth it. The water was wonderful and for a stone beach, we just rented the chairs and enjoyed the Gavitella beach on several days of our stay. The water is in a protected bay so there are no waves but I would recommend brnging your water shoes if you plan on visiting other beaches in the area as they are not sandy but rocky or pebbled.

We were so happy we did not end up in either Positano or amalfi. Both of these towns were crowded with cruise ship day trippers and large groups following guides holding up signs or umbrellas to follow. They were also very commercial with boutiques everywhere--some nice but many selling the typical tourist magnets, t-shirts and aprons with lemons on them. We found the same to be true of Capri but the boat ride there--with some grotto viewing and a swim off the boat in a private cove was the highlight. Capri the town is overrated in my opinion but the natural beauty of the island is very nice if you stay out of the center and avoid the cruise ship crowds. Seeing the coast by sailboat or a small chartered motor boat would be well worth the cost. If I go back, Praiano would be a good place to kayak from as well and if you are a swimmer--bring your goggles! Great water and coves to swim in.

Praiano was a gem of a town with a beach that is the only one the coast we were told that gets the longest sunshine and where you get to see the sun set in the west into the sea. It was a 15 minute bus ride or a short car or scooter ride from Praiano to amalfi (8 km) or Positano (10 km) and we went to see both but were super happy to return to Praiano where we dined with locals mixed equally with tourists. It is a tiny town but with a fun beach that Picoletto--the owner and host that makes everyone feel like they are part of his special beach cafe community--makes the setting. The water is clear and was warm in September when we went. There was also a boat from the beach that would take people over to Positano for free if they ate at the restaurant which was excellent. Praiano had several very good restaurants. La Strada had outstanding pizza and a waiter- Lorenzo who knows his wines and loves to introduce you to some of the local regions finest. It also served wonderful fresh fish and I loved the "crazy water" sauce spiced up with chiles (red cherry tomatoes, parsley, garlic, white wine, olive oil and chiles). The fresh fish in all the places was excellent as were the cozze or mussel soup (which isn't soup as you may know it but a mussels marinara).

Overall it was a beautiful vacation and I was very happy to have had a rental over a hotel for the week--especially in Praiano where the locals still outnumber the tourists!

We had an absolutely wonderful time. From the moment we landed to the moment we were dropped back at the airport it was perfect. I spent so long, as you know, trying to find the right place. I needed somewhere that would allow me quiet reflection as well as a holiday with plenty to do and interesting entertainment both historical and commercial:)
Our driver to the apartment was absolutely superb. He spoke to us all the way, stopping for the view and to buy fruit from a local seller.
On arrival the owner greeted us with such style (I won’t spoil it for those who are still to visit) and she is a lovely woman who clearly takes great pride in her place. The location was perfect for all the things we wanted to do. We travelled around by speed boat (to Capri which was awesome), water taxi (driven by a singing Italian taking us to the most romantic restaurant on the sea-front), by ferry (from Amalfi to Positano), by foot (along roads with breathtaking views), by local bus, Sita bus, train, (to Pompei and beyond), open top sightseeing bus (to Ravello, which was life-affirming), and we even got lifts from locals by car all the way to Nerano and back!
We will feel forever guilty that we did not water the plants on our beautiful terrace, but the locals were very forgiving.
I would not hesitate to use your service again and plan to do so for our next holiday. The village, the people, the apartment and your organising, made this the most superb and memorable holiday we have ever had.
Please pass our thanks on and hopefully we shall be in touch again soon.
Kindest regards
C. & R.

Been back at work for over three weeks; really missing our little home away form home.
Thanks again for your hospitality and the use of your home.
BEST EVER!
George

The owner was fantastic and the Santacroce Green apartment was very nice. We ended up making friends with the couple who stayed above us in the Blue unit. They are both beautifully equipped apartments and we really enjoyed our stay. The Blue unit, as I expected had better views (unobstructed) but the views in both were fabulous. The Green unit was quite a bit larger and if you were interested in having people over, the terrace is much nicer for gatherings. Everything went smoothly owner and her helper Eva tended to every detail. When our iPads didn't pick up the WiFi signal, they installed a new router in our unit the next day. Super service and a great place. thanks again!
I'd recommend Santacroce to anyone and someday, may want to go back!

Best,
Nadia