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Customer Reviews
Enjoyed Most:
The owner was very helpful and informative. She provided a crib and high chair for an infant, an extra fan to cool the sleeping area, and good advice about things to see and do. The house is interesting and certain rooms (the living room, dining room, largest bedroom) are pretty. The lower floor remained fairly cool during the day, and the bedrooms, with fans, were good for sleeping at night. There is a lot of space in the house.
Enjoyed Least:
The kitchen is small, with a small propane stove. The outdoor furniture is adequate but not terribly comfortable. The noise of the machines in the vineyard was a bit disruptive. Editor's Note: The outside furniture is wrought iron. The owner will replace the cushions. The vineyard is a working vineyard, and during the season the one tractor is sometimes in use.
Surrounding Area:
The vineyard and hills, and the view. The town of Ricco da Golfo is moderately interesting. Day trips to Cinqueterra, Lucca, Genova were all possible.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Ricco da Golfo is in walking distance.
Lynn, August
Overall:
We really enjoyed Casa Rosaio even though the weather was unseasonably cold and sometimes rainy.
Enjoyed Most:
The owner was extremely helpful in a variety of ways which we very much appreciated.
Enjoyed Least:
It was cold and rainy, but it was the same weather all over Italy.
Lael, June
Overall:
The villa was very enjoyable, and the owner was a delight. We would happily return again.
Enjoyed Most:
The position of the villa is perfect to make the most of the weather - we spent mornings and nights on the terrazza which provided a cool sanctuary from the summer heat. Life doesn't get any better! Beach towels were provided which is a wonderful idea.
Enjoyed Least:
The bathrooms could be improved and a washroom downstairs would also be helpful.
Surrounding Area:
Beautiful location, with the local town a short stroll down the drive - which my 82 year old mother-in-law even managed! The bar and restaurant in town made things very easy, allowing us to leave the car and enjoy the local wines. The fruit from the green grocer on the corner will long be remembered !
Nearby Events or Locales:
Ricco del Golfo - 2 mins down the drive, with all that you need, grocer, fruit shop, bar for coffee and cakes. Perfect !
Tips or Restaurants:
We bought a large blow-up pool for our 3 4-year old boys - it really proved a big hit for the entire family !
Directions:
We have local family so they already knew where the villa was.
Check In Out:
All very easy, due to the owner being so flexible and full of information!
Dale, July
Enjoyed Most:
What was not to like? The villa itself was delightful. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed. The owner makes everyone feel welcome and at home, she is wonderful.
Enjoyed Least:
Not much. You definitely need to have a car.
Surrounding Area:
Beautiful scenery, peaceful and quiet. With a car you can easily get to the La Spezia train station and thus anywhere in Italy.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Ricco de Golfo is the closest toan and it is just down the driveway. As others have noticed, the drive is a little steep so the climb back up might be difficult for those who are not used to it.
Tips or Restaurants:
You must must go to Portovenere, it is about 30 minutes by car and a delightful town. I highly recommend Le Bocche, and the restaurant at the Royal Sporting Hotel. At the Sporting, have the spaghetti with clams and mussels AND you must have the tiramisu. At Le Bocche, say hello to the owner, Marco, and delight in the great food and incomparable view. You really need to have a car for this property.
Directions:
It is tricky to find the first night, so I highly recommend contacting the owner, who is American, and meeting her at the train station or where ever you arrive. One tip, the entry to the drive way is just across from the public park in Ricco de Golfo on the main road. This became our landmark.
Dawn, October
Enjoyed Most:
The peace and quiet. The outside covered area was great. The charm of an old farm house. The house was spotless. The owner was raised in the US. She knew what our needs were.
Enjoyed Least:
Nothing much to comment on other then they should get better knifes for the kitchen. The kitchen floor plan is a little hard to cook in, but I think it's because of the age of the house.
Surrounding Area:
The beautiful view from every window. You must have a car in order to enjoy what the area has to offer.
Nearby Events or Locales:
There is a small town in Ricco del Golfo just down the long driveway from the house. The shops have strange hours, even for Italy.
Tips or Restaurants:
The house if well stocked. You don't need to bring anything. Just stock up on food before you get to Ricco del Golfo.
Maria, September
Enjoyed Most:
The owner gave us her cell phone number to call with any questions, and we did. Her recommendations for restaurants were great, and her parking tips for the Cinque Terre and La Spezia for a train trip to Firenze proved to be wonderfully helpful She also greeted us at check-in with a tray of desserts and a couple bottles of wine from the villa's vineyard. Delicious! Through her we made arrangements to have a delightful dinner cooked and served at the villa one evening. A wide variety of fruits and berries were growing on the property, and we were invited to pick and enjoy all that we wanted. Yum! There is a German bunker in the front yard which is quite interesting, especially for anyone who studied WWII history. Do enjoy some of the wines made from the villa's vineyards.
Enjoyed Least:
It was a bit further to some of the hilltop towns we wanted to visit than we had estimated, but overall the location was fine.
Surrounding Area:
The Cinque Terre is easily accessible and beautiful. We also visited Lucca, Pisa and La Spezia where they were having a huge street market. If you like calamari, you will enjoy the area's restaurants. It is fresh and tender.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Ricco de Golfo was down the hill at the end of the drive, and it had a bank, market, pizza parlor and a few other amenities. It was easy going down but a bit of a climb coming back up to the villa... which helped to work off some of the delicious food.
Tips or Restaurants:
Take time to notice the stained glass front entry door and the painted ceilings that are original from the villa's construction some 120 years ago.
Pamela, August
Overall:
We had a lovely stay. It was nice relaxing on the patio and catching up on reading, drinking wine in the evenings. We didn't venture out too much in the evening as nobody really wanted to negotiate the unfamiliar winding roads of the nearby towns in the dark.
Enjoyed Most:
The lovely touches throughout the villa - the painted ceiling in the living room, the stained-glass shutters, the stained-glass on the front entrance, the furniture throughout and in the bedrooms. The space, which worked out well for our family of eight, even with only two bathrooms.
Enjoyed Least:
Nothing really, the first day we had some difficulty getting up the road to the villa, but we were tired after a long night and day of travel and not used to a manual car. There were some dogs barking very early in the morning and noise from the workers during the day. Normally, we left for excursions during the day so weren't really bothered by that.
Surrounding Area:
The peace and quiet, the flowers and vineyards surrounding the property. The view of the towns, both nearby and far away from different vantage points on the property.
Nearby Events or Locales:
The town of Ricco del Golfo is at the foot of the driveway up to the villa. It was easy to walk to, not as easy walking back up the driveway for my mother. There is a Bancomat right at the end of the driveway and a couple of small stores for light groceries, also a nice pasticceria for pastries and coffee.
Tips or Restaurants:
The owner's book with restaurant suggestions was great. We stocked up on groceries at a supermercato in La Spezia and grilled most evenings for dinner and ate breakfast on the patio. We did have dinner one evening at a small restaurant-pizzeria located in a hotel in town, very inexpensive and nice choices - however, their lunch is limited.
Directions:
We missed the sign the first try, went to the next yellow house, but we figured it out.
Patricia, August
Overall:
We would like to rent the property another time. I was wonderful.
Enjoyed Most:
We liked everything but we loved the balcony best.
Enjoyed Least:
Maybe liked least that there were no WC on the ground floor.
Surrounding Area:
It was hilly and very beautiful
Nearby Events or Locales:
Ricco del Golfo. Yes, it was walking distance.
Tips or Restaurants:
We don't have any suggestions about things to bring.
There is a hotel in the outskirts of Ricco del Golfo with a a restaurant that we liked. Good food and nice prices.
We also used the cook who fixed our dinner one evening at the property. She was very good.
Valdemar, August
Overall:
We had a wonderful experience and enjoyed both the property and surrounding area. We also met the father-in-law of the owner who was most gracious and showed us the history of the property.
Enjoyed Most:
Splendid view and proximity to a small Italian village.
Enjoyed Least:
Too far from the coast.
Surrounding Area:
Filled with friendly people.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Ricco del Goffo, which is within walking distance.
Tips or Restaurants:
Sarah has excellent recommendations for restaurants.
Paul, July
Overall:
The villa was a beautiful, old family home with a working vineyard surrounding it which is maintained by the owner's sweet father-in-law. He generously gave us wine from the vineyard and tried very hard to communicate with us even though he spoke little to no English. The proximity of the villa to Porto Venere and the Cinque Terre area was great. We loved staying at the villa.
Enjoyed Most:
The spectacular views, wonderful antiques, spaciousness of the villa itself and the outdoor eating and sitting area were all wonderful. Also, having access to the owner at the beginning of our stay was great because she could easily direct us to anything we wanted to do and was extremely knowledgeable and helpful about the area. She was also able to set up a cooking class for us with a wonderful person in Monterosso who really made our trip special. She also arranged for a great cook to prepare a meal for us at the villa our first night there.
Enjoyed Least:
The noise of the local barking dogs at night.
Surrounding Area:
We loved visiting the Cinque Terre towns and beaches
Nearby Events or Locales:
Ricco del Golfo was the town in which the villa was located and it was just a 5 min. walk down the dirt path from the villa. The closest town that we wanted to go to was Monterosso in the Cinque Terre and it was not within walking distance. It took us about 25 minutes by car on extremely windy roads to get there.
Tips or Restaurants:
Definitely have someone prepare a meal for you on your first night there since by the time you check in and get settled the markets will probably all be closed for the weekend. Stores close by 7:30 PM on Saturday and stay closed until Monday morning. Try to go to the supermarket as soon as you get to town to buy breakfast things. Also, we found it great having a cell phone with us that was enabled for Europe in order to make several calls to the owner both before and after arriving. There was, however, a phone in the villa.
Check In Out:
We arrived to wonderful plates full of prosciutto, cheese, salami, and bread, along with flowers and a bottle of wine from the vineyard which was a wonderful surprise. Sarah and her husband were there to greet us and answer any questions which was great. They were both very nice and extremely helpful. Check in/out was easy.
Sue, July
Overall:
Much better than the hotel life.
Enjoyed Most:
The views of the surrounding hills, size and layout of the house, and the beds and furnishings.
Enjoyed Least:
The kitchen a bit small and had limited working space, although the appliances, were just fine.
Surrounding Area:
Fantastic views, quiet, with clean air and regionally within striking distance of numerous points of interest. There is also endless possibilites for biking, both mountain and road, although not all routes are of equal difficulty.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Ricco Del Golfo is located just below the house.
Check In Out:
It worked great. Sarah was very accomodating and easy to get hold of.
Jeff, June
Overall:
The property was beautiful and the owner was soooo helpful! We couldn't have asked for a better villa for our group.
Enjoyed Most:
It was perfect for our large group - we had 9 people staying in the home and it had plenty of room for all of us.
Enjoyed Least:
There was a small ant problem while we were there. Editor's Note: The owner took care of the ant problem, but mentioned that they will reappear if food is left out. May 2006
Surrounding Area:
The village was beautiful and we loved the people! We did a couple hikes in the area and it was just breathtaking!
Nearby Events or Locales:
Ricco Del Golfo - just a short walk down the driveway. The driveway is at somewhat of an incline so might be difficult for some.
Tips or Restaurants:
It was definitely helpful to rent a car if you are planning on visiting surrounding areas. The nearest train station was La Spezia and the bus ride there was a little time consuming.
Directions:
The directions were good but if we didn't have the owner driving us, we wouldn't have found it on the first try! It's tucked away and the sign is hard to see.
Check In Out:
The owner made this process extremely easy - thank you!
Lisa, April
Overall:
One of the best places we have stayed and we would recommend it to all!
Enjoyed Most:
The location was excellent. Having a small village within walking distance was great. The American owner thought of everything. We really liked her book that was loaded with helpful suggestions and comments. There were extra linens, towels, and the kitchen was loaded with extra silverware and plates. She even had soap, dishwashing soap, etc. which is not usual. There was plenty of firewood. The owner is wonderful. She even took two of our guests to the train station!
Enjoyed Least:
The kitchen - but we are cooks. For the non-cook, it would be fine. We thought that 150E was a bit steep for a cleaning fee.
Surrounding Area:
La Grazie and Portovenere were wonderful as was the easy access to the Cinque Terre. We loved La Spezia - non touristy, upscale, yet charming and on the water!
Nearby Events or Locales:
Ricco de Golfo, 1 minute walk.
Tips or Restaurants:
Bring wash clothes, sharp knives if you like to cook, candles, clothes line, spices in baggies, ziplocks for leftovers.
Jeanne, October
Overall:
The property was wonderful. Hot during the day and chilly at night. Not having air conditioning was not a problem, even though it was in the 90's during the day. The owner's father-in-law taught me how to prune grape vines and I walked with him through the vineyards while he and a friend worked. The house was roomy, well decorated and comfortable. We had 10 guests and were worried about only two bathrooms, but it was never a problem. The views were beautiful and listening to church bells in the night added a mystical quality. The local wine was good. In a couple days we had learned to navigate in Italy without issue. We had rental cars, used the bus at the end of the driveway and used the trains. We traveled the area extensively and the location of the house was great for this. The owner was wonderful and a great resource.
Enjoyed Most:
Great location for exploring Italy, access to roads, location to the Cinque Terre. The house was roomy and comfortable. It was remarkably cool in the evenings and excellent for sleeping. The views and quiet nights were great.
Enjoyed Least:
Nothing
Surrounding Area:
Good local restaurants, stores and services. Great views and beaches. The Cinque Terre was only 30 minutes by car. The A-12 Autostrada was 15 minutes away and great access for travel.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Rico Del Golfo, had groceries, pharmacy, bank, gas station and restaurants. All in walking distance
Tips or Restaurants:
The House Book had great recommendations for restaurants. We sampled three. We also found a great Pizza restaurant in Borghetto.
Directions:
We flew into Milan and took A-1 to A-15 to A-12. We learned that from Milan it is faster to go A7 to A12.
Check In Out:
It was simple and easy.
Jeffrey, July
Overall:
The house is a beautiful old family home which retains many of its original features and interesting antique ornaments. It is in the process of being furnished with modern appliances which hopefully will not to detract from its unique character.
Enjoyed Most:
The peaceful ambience of the house and the genuine antiquity of its structure, its furniture and its facinating ornaments.
Enjoyed Least:
The heating unfortunately, but we did experience unseasonally cool weather even for an early season letting.
Surrounding Area:
Stunningly beautiful coastal scenery and picture-postcard-perfect villages.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Ricco di Golfo is only a short walk and a strenuous return.
Tips or Restaurants:
Just bring a healthy appetite. The owner has a list of local restaurants from which we selected and we were very happy with our choices.
The star, however, was the owner's cook who supplied our final feast !
Check In Out:
A wonderful expansive greeting from the owner.
David, May
Enjoyed Most:
It's authenticity. The cook was amazing. a must-do for at least one night.
Enjoyed Least:
The housekeeper did not recycle, and some guy came on the property to burn garbage near the end of our stay.
Surrounding Area:
Countryside, and proximity to the Cinque Terre
Tips or Restaurants:
The book of the house is the Bible. Bring a flashlight.
Lenore, September
Overall:
Sarah, the villa owner, is amazing. She is extremely helpful and American, which was a plus for my group. The property is well stocked with all amenities and Sarah also offers a great book with plenty of suggestions of things to do.
Enjoyed Most:
The property was extremely peaceful and had a large amount of outdoor space as it is located on a vineyard. Ricco del Golfo is also very convenient to the nearby towns in the Cinque Terre along with La Spezia.
Surrounding Area:
The Cinque Terre is very beautiful and there are few tourists so you feel as if you are getting an authentic Italian experience. There are so many quaint towns that each day you can plan a day trip for 1 to 3 cities. Also, as many of the natives do not speak English at all, it allowed each of us to utilize our Italian.
Nearby Events or Locales:
La Spezia. It was not within walking distance, however there is a bus stop at the end of the property. Ricco del Golfo - where the villa is located also has restaurants, a cafe for breakfast, ATM machine at the end of the property along with a fresh fruit and vegetable market.
Tips or Restaurants:
All of the restaurants were extremely convenient. I would highly recommend renting a car and venturing out of the Cinque Terre. The villa is conveniently located on SS1 which connects the small towns along with various other cities along the Ligurian coast line. I would also suggest bringing some heavy string or twine if you plan to do laundry, since there is a washing machine, but no dryer. Italians generally hang-dry their laundry.
Yun Jung, July
Overall:
I would gladly recommend it to anyone and would be happy to talk to them individually about its wonderful qualities.
Enjoyed Most:
It was right in the middle of a small town environment on a working farm in close proximity to extraordinary villages and day trips.
Enjoyed Least:
It embodied history past and present. All the essentials necessary for comfortable living yet with all the grace of an old farm residence.
Surrounding Area:
Views from all vantage points and comfortable places to view them from.
Tips or Restaurants:
The owner gives all of the necessary information
Directions:
There were two cars in our party. Neither had the slightest problem.
Check In Out:
Easy. Easy. and Easy.
Steve, June
Overall:
The owner is an excellent hostess and will take care of any problems immediately. It is a beautiful villa.
Enjoyed Most:
The property was close to the areas we wanted to visit and at the same time it was quiet and peaceful. It was close to a small town so you could buy food within walking distance.
Enjoyed Least:
There wasn't anything about the property that we didn't like except that we had to leave.
Surrounding Area:
We enjoyed visiting the Cinque Terre and the restaurant recommendations that Sarah gave us.
Nearby Events or Locales:
The nearest small town was Rio del Golfo and was at the bottom of the hill. There was also an ATM machine at the bottom of the hill.
Tips or Restaurants:
Other than food, everything you will need is provided at the villa. Good walking shoes are a must because you can walk and enjoy the scenery.
Pat, May
