Giusi & Dario's
- JUMP TO…
- Photos
- Guest Comments
- Rental Rates
A charming Tuscan cottage designed, decorated and furnished by 'Giusi', the Italian cook who often helps friend Frances Mayes prepare splendid luncheons and dinner parties at Villa Bramasole, near Cortona. Giusi is mentioned and photographed in Frances Mayes' books "Under The Tuscan Sun", "Bella Tuscany", "In Tuscany", and most recently her illustrated book about Tuscan living style, "Bringing Tuscany Home". Located in the grounds of Giusi and Dario's farm in the hills to the east of Cortona, the cottage faces west towards the setting sun, overlooking the beautiful Val d'Esse at the mouth of which stands Cortona, 6 miles away, on a hilltop dominating the plain of the Valdichiana. Giusi and Dario live in their stone farmhouse house a little further uphill with his ageing parents and their two sons. Although they lead an active farming life, the privacy of guests staying in the cottage is guaranteed and Giusi or Dario will not disturb you, unless of course you need their help or advice.
"Giusi and I frequently cook together and I consider her one of the best cooks in Tuscany. She is shown in both my photo texts. I love going to dinner at her farm - both Ed and I look forward with anticipation to an invitation from Giusi for days. Sitting around her table with her extended family has been one of the prime pleasures of my years in Tuscany. Visitors to Villa Giusi will be rewarded with a genuine country Tuscan experience."
June 1997 - Frances & Ed with Giusi, Donatella & Lucia
Accommodates: 6 people
Layout: Ground floor - large kitchen dining room, open-plan living room with fireplace, external sun terrace, 2 queen bedrooms, 1 independent bathroom with standup shower Top floor -1 double bedroom, 1 independent bathroom with standup shower. Outside Cottage surrounded by grass lawns; French doors from living room open directly onto wide panoramic sun terrace; stone pathway leads to an in-ground 8 x 4 meter swimming pool reserved exclusively for guests' use
House Equipment: central heating, dishwasher, washing machine, TV with DVD player, stereo CD player
Nearest shops, restaurant, fuel station: 3 kms
Distances: Cortona 11 kms, Perugia 40 kms, Arezzo 40 kms, Siena 70 kms, Florence 120 kms, Rome 200 kms
(click an image to view enlargement)
Guest Comments
Thank you so very much for sharing your bit of heaven with us. What a wonderful place to spend a week with family - relaxing, sightseeing, cooking, talking...it couldn't have been better and far exceeded our expectations. The house is so well equipped that whatever we needed was here for us - just like home. The pool, terraces and gardens are absolutely lovely - a pleasure to spend time in. We can't imagine having a better meal anywhere than the one you cooked for us, Giusi. Everything was excellent ! You've done a beautiful job in making the house warm and comfortable for your guests. Your personal warmth shines through. Thanks again for everything.
—Barbara & Des, San Francisco USA
—David & Soo-jin, London UK
It doesn't get any better than this. Thank you for sharing your wonderful home in Tuscany with us. Highlights included sunsets on the terrace with great wine, food and conversations, Saint Frances' convent behind Cortona, a daytrip to Pienza, but best of all Giusi's magic in the kitchen - truly a memorable culinary experience ! We are overwhelmed by your hospitality.
—Deborah & Tim ??????, Belvedere, CA, USA
Giusi and Dario's home became our home for a beautiful week in Italy. It was a blessing for us to celebrate our first year of marriage surrounded by your warmth and love. Every day was a new adventure travelling to exciting cities and returning to the beauty of your home in the hills. Thank you for cooking and serving one of the best dinners of Tuscany. We will treasure our memories of you and your family.
—Sheryl & Duane Monfort, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
To be part of your lives this past month has been an incredible experience for our family and will be part of our history for ever ! You have given our children an education they could never have gotten anywhere else and they loved their time here with you as much as any other adventure in Italy. Back in New York we will miss playing "briscola" and eating "coniglio". The icing on the cake was the truly lovely home you've created - which reflects how wonderful you all are.
—Glenn, Zena, Tiana & Annalee Saunders, New York, NY, USA
You have something special here - thank you for sharing it with us. We have enjoyed the pool, Tuscan dining on the terrace, days out in Siena and evenings in Cortona. Swimming in Lake Trasimeno was a highlight. We are fans of Frances Mayes...but never found Villa Bramasole ! Final recommendation is a pre-breakfast walk, up behind the farm for a glorious view of Lake Trasimeno - spectacular!
—John, Lorraine, Janet & Tom
Weekly Rental Rates
| Season | Dates | US Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| High | June 7th—Sept 6th and December 20th—January 3rd (2009) | $ 2,900 |
| Mid | April 26th—June 7th and Sept 6th—November 1st | $ 2,600 |
| Low | January 5th—April 26th and November 1st—December 20th | $ 1,850 |
| plus £ 13 (US $25) per person for final
cleaning Rentals are Saturday to Saturday (arrival after 4pm, departure by 10am) |
NOTE: We accept payment in USD, GBP or Euros. For equivalent rates in the currency of your choice contact reservations@classictuscanhomes.com.
