Escape to Tuscany: Luxurious Belvilla Getaway in Carmignano!
Escape to Tuscany: Carmignano's Luxurious Belvilla Getaway - A (Very) Honest Review!
Okay, buckle up, because I just got back from paradise. Seriously. Tuscany. Carmignano. Belvilla. And honestly, I need to unpack this whole experience, the good, the… well, less good, and everything in between. This isn't your polished travel blog, this is real talk.
SEO/Metadata (Let's get this out of the way first, ugh):
- Title: Escape to Tuscany Review: Belvilla Carmignano - Luxury, Views, and Quirks!
- Keywords: Tuscany, Carmignano, Belvilla, Luxury Villa, Italy, Accessible, Spa, Swimming Pool, Restaurant, Wi-Fi, Family-Friendly, Views, Travel Review, Vacation Rental.
- Meta Description: Unfiltered review of a Belvilla getaway in Carmignano, Tuscany! Accessibility, spa experience, food, and the small details – good and bad. Is it worth it? Find out!
(Deep Breath) Let's dive in…
Accessibility: This is Where Things Get Interesting (and Maybe a Little Frustrating)
Right, so the website says "Facilities for disabled guests". I'm not in a wheelchair myself, but I'm traveling with someone who is, and this is a major deal for us. The elevator? Fantastic! Smooth, quiet, easy. Check. But… getting to the actual villa (we were in Villa Iris) from the car park? That's where things got… tricky. Cobblestone pathways, some decent inclines, and a couple of steps that, if I'm honest, were not easy to navigate. The listing does mention steps – so I'm partly to blame for not digging deeper – but be warned. If you need truly accessible, double-check everything with Belvilla beforehand.
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars for Accessibility (with a side of "Ask a LOT of questions")
On-Site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges: A Mixed Bag (as always)
The main restaurant, "Ristorante La Piazza" (I think that was its name), seemed accessible, with ramps and what-not. But navigating the crowds during peak dinner service with a wheelchair? Let's just say it wasn't the most relaxing experience. We ended up eating on the terrace a few times, which was lovely, but the menu options were more limited.
Rating: 3/5 Stars for Restaurant Accessibility (emphasis on "seemed")
Oh, the Luxury! (When it Works)
This place is undeniably beautiful. The views – seriously, breathtaking. Like, "stop everything and just stare" kind of breathtaking. And the villa itself? Gorgeous. The décor was classic Tuscan – think exposed beams, terracotta floors, and enough space to lose a small army. Our room, even though not technically a "couple's room" had the same amenities and was perfect, with a private bathroom and a balcony overlooking the pool. We could easily have a romantic vacation in here.
Available in All Rooms Rundown: (Did everything live up to the photos?)
- Air conditioning – YES! Thank God, because Tuscany in August is… warm.
- Alarm clock – Yep. Useless to me, but it was there.
- Bathrobes – Luxurious, soft, and perfect for lounging.
- Bathroom phone – Haven't used one of those in years. But it was there.
- Bathtub & Separate shower/bathtub – Yes and yes. I prefer showers, but nice to have the option.
- Blackout curtains – Crucial for sleeping in, which I did a lot.
- Carpeting – Only in the bedrooms, which felt plush and comfy.
- Closet – Decent size, plenty of space for my ever-growing Tuscan wardrobe (aka, more linen shirts).
- Coffee/tea maker – Essential. And the complimentary tea was actually pretty good.
- Complimentary tea and Free bottled water - Huge plus
- Daily housekeeping – Spot on. Our room was always spotless.
- Desk & Laptop workspace – Actually used it to check some work emails (ugh). It was lovely to sit at the balcony and work.
- Extra long bed – Yes, perfect.
- Hair dryer – Powerful, which is always a win.
- High floor – We were on the second floor, which was nice for the views.
- In-room safe box – Always a good idea.
- Interconnecting room(s) available – Not relevant to us, but good to know for families.
- Internet access – LAN and wireless. More on this later.
- Ironing facilities – Iron and ironing board!
- Laptop workspace - Very useful for the times I decided to check emails.
- Linens – Crisp, clean, and luxurious.
- Mini bar – Overpriced, but hey, it's there!
- Mirror – Plenty of mirrors to admire yourself after a day at the spa (more on that soon).
- Non-smoking – Thank goodness.
- On-demand movies – Didn't use them, but the option was there.
- Private bathroom – Absolutely.
- Reading light – Perfect for late-night bookworms.
- Refrigerator – Great for keeping our prosecco chilled.
- Safety/security feature – The usual stuff, nothing noteworthy.
- Satellite/cable channels – Didn't watch any TV, but the options were plentiful.
- Scale – Okay, maybe I shouldn't have weighed myself after all those amazing meals…
- Seating area – We did spend a lot of time on the balcony.
- Separate shower/bathtub – Yes, and the water pressure was amazing.
- Shower – See separate shower/bathtub.
- Slippers – The little details matter!
- Smoke detector – Hopefully doing its job…
- Socket near the bed – Always appreciated for charging phones.
- Sofa – Perfect for collapsing on after a long day of… well, relaxing.
- Soundproofing – Pretty good, but we could still hear some late-night revelry from other villas.
- Telephone – Antique.
- Toiletries – Decent quality, but I brought my own.
- Towels – Fluffy and plentiful.
- Umbrella – Thankfully didn’t need it, but always good to have.
- Visual alarm – Not sure if it was actually there or not!
- Wake-up service – Didn’t use it, but available.
- Wi-Fi [free] – More on this later…
- Window that opens – YES! Fresh Tuscan air is a must.
Overall Room Rating: 4.5/5 Stars (minus half a star for the slightly noisy neighbors)
Internet: The "Sometimes Works, Sometimes Doesn't" Situation
Okay, the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is a bit of a fib. The Wi-Fi was… spotty. Like, "perfectly fine for checking email" then "utterly useless for streaming Netflix" kind of spotty. They advertised Internet access – LAN, for that matter – in the rooms, which ended up being a disappointment. We ended up using our mobile data a lot. I’m paying for luxury, not a digital detox, Belvilla!
Internet Rating: 2/5 Stars (because I'm being generous)
Things to Do: Spa, Pool, and Glorious Indecision!
The spa! Oh. My. God. I treated myself to a body wrap and a massage. Heaven. Pure, unadulterated heaven. The sauna? Divine. The steamroom? Perfect for sweating out all the pasta I ingested. And then there's the Pool with a view… Absolutely stunning. The water was cool, the sun was warm, and the views were… well, you get the idea by now. I could have stayed there forever. There was even a fitness center, but… let's just say I prioritized the spa.
Spa & Relaxation Rating: 5/5 Stars (Worth every. Single. Penny.)
On-site Amenities (Let's talk about the extras!)
- Fitness center: I’m gonna be honest, I looked in, then immediately went to the spa. But it looked decent enough…
- Sauna: A must-do.
- Spa/sauna: Yep, all good.
- Steamroom: Fantastic for easing sore muscles.
- Swimming pool: See above!
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Ditto!
- Bar: Decent cocktails, amazing views. Happy hours were a lifesaver.
- Coffee shop: The coffee was mediocre, but the pastries were delightful.
- Restaurants: Several options. I mentioned the main restaurant, but there were others, like a more casual poolside bar.
- Room service [24-hour]: A lifesaver for those lazy mornings.
- Snack bar: Perfect for a quick bite.
- Terrace: Brilliant for enjoying the gorgeous weather.
Cleanliness and Safety: Reassuring, But a Little Overkill?
The hotel (okay, the *villas
Escape to Thale: Your Private Garden Getaway Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we’re about to dive headfirst into a week of Tuscan chaos. Belvilla by OYO Casa Orcio in Carmignano, Italy – you ready for this? 'Cause I’m not entirely sure I am. (Especially after that 14-hour flight… ugh.)
Day 1: Arrival & Olive Oil Overload (Send help!)
- Morning (…ish): Arrive in Florence. Holy moly, the airport. It was a beautiful mess, filled with stressed-out tourists and luggage with a life of its own. Found our rental car (a Fiat 500, naturally, because Italy, right?) – it felt like wrestling a particularly stubborn chihuahua. The GPS lady, bless her robotic heart, kept getting us turned around. Managed to almost kill a small flock of ducks.
- Afternoon: Finally, finally made it to Carmignano. Casa Orcio… well, it’s charming. In a slightly crumbling, "lived-in by an eccentric aunt" kind of way. The view? Stunning. Makes you want to forgive the slightly sticky tiles.
- Late Afternoon/Evening: Unpacked (mostly. "Organized chaos" is my motto) and then, the pièce de résistance: an olive oil tasting. Oh. My. God. I thought I knew olive oil. I was wrong. Three hours later, my tongue was slick, my vocabulary expanded to include words like "fruity," "peppery," and "aggressive," and I was pretty sure I’d absorbed enough olive oil to fuel a small Italian scooter rally. We bought seven bottles. I think I have a problem. Also, I may have started hallucinating talking olives. Don't judge.
Day 2: Renaissance Rumble & Pizza Panic
- Morning: Attempted a day trip to Florence proper. "Attempted" being the operative word. Getting the Fiat out of the Casa's tiny parking spot was a feat worthy of the Olympics. Fighting traffic… don’t even get me started. By the time we reached Florence, a parking war had already started.
- Afternoon: Florence! Duomo! Uffizi! The sheer beauty of it all almost made me cry. Almost. Until the crowds got to me. Those crowds are enough to drive anyone mad. I did see David – or, at least, a David-shaped man was in my view from the door. After a while, every thing was just a blur.
- Evening: Pizza night! Found a little pizzeria near the Casa. Ordered way too much. The pizza was… okay? Honestly, after the olive oil extravaganza, everything else feels kind of… bland. Maybe I'm already ruined! The waiter kept calling me "bella." I think he wanted a tip. After, we tried the gelato. Much better, but I think I may need to go back and test more of the flavor.
Day 3: Wine, Wonders, and a Near-Death Experience (Probably)
- Morning: Today, we go beyond the house, and we're going to a winery. My favorite. We drove winding roads to a Tuscan winery. Picture this: sun-drenched vineyards, rolling hills, and the promise of wine. Pure bliss!
- Afternoon: The wine tasting itself? Glorious. The wine? Divine. The food pairings? Perfect. I felt like I was living in a postcard. We probably bought more wine that we should. But we are planning to drink it one way or another.
- Late Afternoon/Evening: Driving home… well, let's just say those winding roads are not your friend after a day of wine tasting. There was a moment, a very brief moment, where I'm pretty sure the Fiat and I were playing chicken with a bus. I saw my life flash before my eyes. Lesson learned: designated driver next time.
Day 4: Market Mayhem & Pasta Perfection
- Morning: Visited the local market in Carmignano. I was ready to grab some cool experiences. I wanted to buy some cheese. The smells alone were intoxicating. I haggled for some local pecorino cheese (because, you know, I’m a seasoned traveler now). Did I succeed? Who knows.
- Afternoon: Cooking class time! This was a bit of a challenge. I do not know how to cook. We made pasta from scratch, and I got flour absolutely everywhere. We managed to make a gorgeous pasta dish that we would like to try at home.
- Late Afternoon/Evening: After the pasta, we crashed! I may have briefly considered using the pasta cutter as a weapon, but I calmed myself. We just wanted to see the sunset. It didn't disappoint. The Tuscan sky puts on a performance every evening.
Day 5: Exploring the Hills & Gelato's Grip (Again!)
- Morning: Drove through Tuscany. We stopped at a tiny tiny town up on a hill. The views? Unbelievable! Did some shopping. Was in bliss.
- Afternoon: I was already craving gelato. So, obviously, more gelato. This time, I went crazy and tried five different flavors. The pistachio was… dreamy. The chocolate? Decadent. The lemon? Refreshing. I started to understand that gelato is more of a lifestyle.
- Late Afternoon/Evening: Dinner, and another evening spent relaxing back at the Casa. Sipping the wine and dreaming of what will happen next.
Day 6: Art, Architecture, and a Plea for Peace
- Morning: Back to Florence (again!). This time, to see more art. More Duomo. More crowds. More… everything. I'd been warned. I will not take anything for granted. Still, the beauty of the monuments is really mesmerizing.
- Afternoon: Tried to navigate the city. I got lost. More than once. Every street looked the same. I ended up following my gut, which led me to a tiny, hidden cafe. I needed the peace. The cappuccino was strong.
- Late Afternoon/Evening: One last pizza. One last gelato. One last stroll through the town. One last chance to soak it all in.
Day 7: Goodbye, Tuscany (Until Next Time?)
- Morning: Packing. Remembering to buy a lot of more olive oil and wine at the airport. Saying goodbye to Casa Orcio. Even with its quirks, I was sad to leave.
- Afternoon: Arrive at the Airport, and more crowds. Waiting.
- Late Afternoon/Evening: The flight. The aftermath will be a long one, so I hope I can sleep soon.
So, there you have it. A week in Carmignano. Beautiful, messy, and utterly unforgettable. Would I go back? Absolutely. Will I pack more antacids next time? You bet your sweet, buttery biscotti I will. Ciao, Tuscany! You were… something else.
Lanas Paradise: Stunning Apartment with Private Garden!
So, the Belvilla Carmignano, huh? Sounded all romantic, but was it REALLY? (Spoiler alert: maybe, but also… hold on.)
The Pool! The Pool! Was the pool as perfect as the Instagram photos promised? (Because that’s often a lie.)
Okay, but the details! Tell me about the Wi-Fi. Because, you know, gotta stay connected (sort of).
Carmignano Wine! Tell me about the wine! (Because, duh.)
The Towns! Did you explore the local area? And how touristy was it really? Spill the tea!
The bugs. Were there any bugs? Because, let's face it, it's the countryside…
Would you go back? (And, more importantly, would YOU recommend it?)
