We much enjoyed a return two week visit to Villa La Querce. Not many holiday homes can comfortably absorb 18 people - including ten children aged 1 to 16 - but with c. 1000 sq m on four levels VLQ can do it easily (although its formal maximum is 14, reflecting its seven bedrooms and the size of the indoor dining table).

VLQ is a splendid mansion - ‘historic’ but renovated/modernised in the late 20c - with a pool and spacious gardens, located c. 2 km from the nearest town (Impruneta) and c. 20 km S from Florence. The property is elevated and has beautiful views N and E. The location is ideal, within less than an hour’s drive of most of the Chianti towns and not much further from Pisa, Lucca and Siena. Florence is connected by two bus routes. Some traffic noise occasionally drifts in from the nearby road but the general atmosphere is very peaceful.

The mansion itself is elegantly but practically furnished in ‘traditional’ style. The overall impression is of unpretentious luxury. There is a large hall, a dining room, two ‘drawing rooms’ and seven spacious and air-conditioned bedrooms, two with living rooms attached, five en suite and two sharing a bathroom. The bathrooms are adequate but not all the equipment is up to the general standard of the house. The kitchen is relatively small - and its fridge/freezer equipment needs upgrading - but all other rooms are ‘oversized’. Family memorabilia and interesting art create an intimate feel.

The external area is spacious and beautiful, but not manicured, with olive trees, various hideaways, table tennis, badminton - and of course the pool. The pool area is fairly basic but functional (and we understand an upgrade is planned).

The immediate neighbourhood is uninteresting and offers little walking opportunity, except through the vineyard. While Impruneta - worth visiting - is within walking distance, the road is busy, narrow and twisted and lacks a footpath. A car is essential. The Coop in Impruneta is quite well stocked but generally an exhausting experience due to congestion.

Daniel and Jesus (the non-resident staff) work six days a week, prepare breakfast, make up the rooms and generally look after the house.. They were pleasant, efficient and tolerant of the children. Lunch is for the guests to arrange but a chef and support can be hired in to provide dinner (except on Sundays). We used Massimo’s service on all but a few evenings and thought his cooking excellent and good value. However, as Daniel, Jesus and Massimo do not speak English, communication with them was limited for us.

WiFi is available throughout the mansion and in the pool area. There is one public TV set with lots of channels.

Owner Domitilla Marchi lives nearby and is a solicitous and helpful host, as is Marco Feretti, manager of the nearby family vineyard. (Marco also offers an interesting tour of his business and his good quality rosé and red wines and olive oil are available to guests). Domitilla’s English is fluent and she responded quickly to queries both before and during the visit.

We have rented holiday properties for over 30 years in France and Italy. We have enjoyed all of them but consider that VLQ tops the list for space, comfort, unpretentious elegance and value. Recommended for large groups.

Our family stayed at this beautiful villa for a week in September. We had 10 adults and 5 children under 8 years of age and the bedrooms worked out perfectly for everyone. The villa itself is incredibly spacious and beautifully decorated in a simple Tuscan style. The grounds are incredible with the olive trees and vineyards surrounding the villa. We all especially enjoyed eating the ripe figs from the old tree next to the patio. The view from the upper yard all the way down to the Arno River valley was stunning. Domitilla was especially gracious in helping us with any request that we had. Loticia, the cook, prepared delicious meals for us on Wednesday and Saturday, and the chef, Christina, put on an incredible cooking class on Sunday. Daniel and Jesus were there everyday to tidy up etc. and were extremely helpful. Marco, the property manager gave us a very interesting tour of the vineyards and wine making operation followed by a wine tasting in the cellar of the villa. Great location as a home base to tour Tuscany and less than a mile from the cute little town of Impruneta. This is a great value for a true Tuscan experience. It exceeded our expectations.