Chianti and More testimonials page, guest book, accommodations, vacation homes, villas and apartments in Chianti

To KARIN,

Thank you for introducing us to the star of our show -

"IL PRATO" in Panzano in Chianti!

Panzano was indeed magical. The show "No Reservations" will be amazing.
Fell in love with the place and hope to rent it for a week or two next summer.

Anthony Bourdain,

May 26th, 2007

Author of Kitchen Confidential, Bone in the Throat, Gone Bamboo

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Karin Dietz’s Chianti & More in Panzano has been, for nearly five years, our secret weapon in Italy. Through it, we have always known that we will find the best possible places to stay and most thorough support when we’re there. We know we can trust the descriptions of what’s available, because Ms Dietz is probably the most honest, reliable, plain-speaking person in all of Tuscany. We also know that we will be listened to, because she is one of the smartest. It is with great reluctance that we give up our secret and share her name, but, ultimately, even we have come to recognize that Karin is too great a talent to keep to ourselves: she should be everyone’s gate-keeper to this very beautiful corner of the world.

Bill Buford, New York
Author of “Heat, An Amateur’s Adventures as a Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta Maker, and Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany”

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Ref. 100 – Panzano in Chianti

Hello Karin,

Thank you so much for your emails and the information you sent me regarding properties to rent.

We so much enjoyed our stay at Lucretia's beautiful home and it is by far the most perfect setting and property that we have stayed in on our holidays to Italy.

Lucretia is a warm and generous host and we would love to come back again next year in May to stay at the house, despite the weather! Thank you so much for all your help and hospitality..

I look forward to seeing you again in the not too distant future.

Kind Regards

Michele C, UK

May 2007

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Ref. 101 + 102 – Montespertoli

Hi Karin,

We had a wonderful time in Tuscany. Our villa was great. We definitely would return to the vacation home and will recommend this villa as well as your business to our friends and relatives. Your organization before our holiday was terrific – excellent service. It made it very easy for us when we arrived. The villa was beautiful, clean and organized. The housekeeper was very nice and met us promptly.Thanks again for a wonderful holiday.

The Young Family, Denmark

October 2007

Karin,
We enjoyed a lot our holidays in Toscana. I would like to thank you and the owners of the house. They were really nice and helpful with us.
Thanks for your wonderful support to organize our vacation in Toscana.
Un cordial saludo / Best regards
Leopoldo C., Spain

August 2007

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Ref. 104 – Greve in Chianti

Dear Karin,

we had a safe trip home after a wonderful and memorable vacation in Tuscany.Best regards,

Birgir A, Iceland

June 2007

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Ref. 117 / 118 / 119 – Panzano in Chianti

We had a wonderful two weeks in Panzano and this stay has once again reinforced our decision to spend two weeks every year in your lovely town. Probably will do end of October in 2008 but maybe we will do two trips next year.Grazie mille!! Mike S., Washington DC

August 2007

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Ref. 120/121/122/123/124 – Panzano in Chianti

Hi Karin!

We had a great time! Enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks for arranging the driver Simone who was very nice, as well as the guide in Florence.

Prior to vacation: Promptness of service? Excellent.

Capacity of understanding needs? Excellent.

Information about the facility? Excellent

Attendance on the phone? Excellent.

During vacation: Equipment of your vacation home? Very good.

Quality of your vacation home? Excellent.

Furniture and decoration? Good

Location? Could not have been better!

Best regards,

Jochen K., US

September 2007

Dear Karin - we are finally back home and I just wanted to tell you again how much we enjoyed our stay in Panzano - Please remember me to Monica and Signor Baldi and Anila and thank them again for everything they did to make our family reunion so happy and memorable. Please use my name as a reference anytime you would like.

All the best,

Daphne Philipson, NY

August 2007

Dear Karin,

Rather than answer yes to all your separate questions, we thought it best to just respond by saying that all can be answered empathically in the affirmative.

As the enabler, we wish to thank you for your help in making our stay such a fabulous experience. We would love to think we would be back some day.

We have already recommended the villa to two families who both sound very interested. I will forward their names to you in the not too distant future.In the meantime, have a wonderful rest of summer and thank you again for our family’s trip of a lifetime! With warmest regards

Harriet and Charles S., NY

July 2007

Excellent in everything. We already have recommended the Villa to 2 other couples before we got home and will always do so in the future. It was a wonderful stay at the apt 121. There wasn't anything to improve, except maybe to have a little larger coffee pot in the unit with two couples. Thank you Karin for your help in making the plans. We consider Toscana to be the highlight of our month long trip. Best regards from all of us

Sharon L., USA

June 2007

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Ref. 144/145/146/147 – Castellina in Chianti

Very good.

Best Regards,

Björn Valdimarsson, Iceland

October 2007

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Ref. 154/155/156/247/265 – Greve in Chianti

Hi Karin,
Just to let you know we couldn't have wished for a better holiday. I can't imagine anyone not liking Tuscany, the winery was fabulous! so beautiful! and just as stated, they had thought of absolutely everything, even to bring some toys for our daughter to play with. It was a very calm and peaceful place, but nice to see the activity of the workers and to know there is company not too far away. The situation was ideal, walking distance from the lovely village of Greve and a central point to visit Florence and sienna. What with the added bonus of delicious Italian food and gorgeous Chianti wine, there really is nothing to complain about. The weather, unfortunately, was a little bit English that week (perhaps we bought it with us), however, that didn't spoil anything. All in all we absolutely loved every minute and hope to visit again every year.

Thank you for helping us find the most perfect and relaxing break.

Kind regards
Angela, Mike and Gabriela R, UK
June 2006

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Ref. 167/168 – Panzano in Chianti

Hi Karin,

We had an amazing time and it was just what we needed after organsing the wedding!

Thanks again

Luke P, UK

July 2007

Dear Karin, I want to start out by thanking you for helping make our vacation to Italy a perfect one.The villa you suggested was absolutely perfect, and Suzi was a wonderful host and her property is wonderful.Just as your listing suggests the views are some of the best in all of Tuscany, and the villa decor is very upscale, with more room then two people would ever need.It was a pleasure to meet you upon our arrival in Panzano and all of your restaurant suggestions were amazing. We have to admit we have fallen in love with Panzano.

The service you provided us was first rate. Right from the initial searching of a property right through to the final booking and providing perfect directions on how to find the town and the villa.The villa it's self was perfect. It was furnished impeccably. The location was ideal for touring the Tuscany countryside, as well as being close to Panzano for groceries and restaurants. The many wineries nearby were very accessible for wine tours.Once again we would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts, in helping ensure our first trip to Italy was perfect. Look forward to dealing with you again, and will recommend your company and the town of Panzano as the perfect way for our friends to see Tuscany. Ciao

Adriana & Blair G., Canada

June 2007

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Ref. 200 - Radda in Chianti

Dear Karin,

Tks for your e-mail. It was nice to meet you when we were there, thank you very much for your advice on the vineyard, we had a great time there.

We are very pleased with the Villa in Radda, the location is perfect, the swimming pool and the garden is beautiful, the Villa is very clean and of high quality. We found your services were extremely efficient and we would still love to come back next year to the same villa and have already recommended your company to our friends. Best regards,

Patricia L, UK

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Ref. 203 – Panzano in Chianti

Karin, Panzano was wonderful. The villa was well maintained with everything a large party would require. The location was great. We walked into the village every night with the help of torches and illuminated jackets which were essential.Thank you for your very efficient service. It was prompt and hassle free.

Mary G., Ireland

September 2007

Karin: We had a WONDERFUL time at the villa. Please tell the owner we want to rent again as soon as we can. It was so nice of them to have the wine/cheese/food, etc. upon our arrival. What a pleasure to not have to go out immediately and get food! Ciao

Maggie O., Austin, TX

May 2007

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Ref. 240 – Greve in Chianti

Dear Karin,

My husband and I, along with my brother and his wife, spent September 8 - 22 at the villa owned by the Rinaldi family. We wanted you to know that it was a wonderful 2 weeks and the Rinaldis' were very kind hosts. We would highly recommend this accommodation to anyone who wanted a quiet, very central place to really get the feel of life in Tuscany. From the rooster who woke us each morning to their dog Tommie who came to visit regularly, we felt very much at home. Marcello's aunt, Laida was particularly kind and gracious to us, and everyone of the family we saw had a greeting and a big wave for us - even the pickers who were arriving to harvest the grapes.

Feel free to use us as a future reference for anyone looking for a villa in Tuscany. We hope to return some day. Ciao!

Dick and Margot S., Canada

September 2007

Dear Karin:

We were very pleased in every way with our house in Greve. Our best wishes to Marcello, his wife and parents.

Boris G, Canada

April 2007

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Ref. 241 - Panzano in Chianti

Dear Karin, We have had an absolutely fantastic time, one of the best family holidays ever. Thank you for all you have done, I would certainly recommend Chianti and More to anyone considering a holiday in the area and hopefully we will be back ourselves at some stage. We loved Panzano and thought it was the best area to be.The house was immaculately clean and we liked it very much. Lucrezia was charming, please would you thank her from us when you are next in contact, she is a lovely lady and made us feel very welcome.We would return to the villa as the location is perfect and the pool is amazing many thanks indeed and I am sure we will be in contact again in the future.

With kind regards

Claire T., UK

July 2007

Hi Karin

I unreservedly recommend both your services and our Villa. Lucrezia was helpful without being at all intrusive, in fact it was great to be able to ask a local resident for information. The pool was outstanding and the views to die for !

Please feel free to use this as a reference. We would certainly use both you and the villa again.

Nicholas R, New Zealand

June 2007

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Ref. 264 – Panzano in Chianti

Ms. Dietz: It is always a pleasure to hear from you and allow us to give our impressions of our vacation in Tuscany.

We have to say that each house was more than expected and helped make our family vacation everything we wished. As you know, we have already recommended your services to our friends.We found the homes in Panzano and San Casciano clean and comfortable. The pools refreshing and the appointments everything that we could have wanted. Each was well equipped and provided everything we could have asked for. We could not have been more delighted with the houses, with Sandra in San Casciano and Alida in Panzano and with your attention to detail. All in all, you helped make the vacation everything we planned for.We hope to deal with you soon..

George and Nan, NY

June 2007

Karin,

You made me look like a very brilliant man to our fellow travellers. We could not have had a more enchanting, romantic, and exciting place to stay. From the first day to the last, the villa was the place-to-be!!!

I would recommend it to anyone wanting to have a genuine Tuscan experience . While the road to the Villa was a little on the rough side, the trip was worth every meter that we traveled. And, upon getting there, to have a wonderful hostess, Alida, made every minute of the trip worthwhile.

As far as the "quality" of the Villa, we could not have hoped for more! Both inside and out, the spaces were special; the bedroom were comfortable, the baths were excellent, the living quarters were more than spacious, the swimming pool was just right (even in late September) and the views from the veranda made it all the better.

We intend to come back to the Villa as soon as possible. For us in the USA, a trip to Tuscany is a very special experience--in fact, one of my fellow travellers told me this morning that it was the "trip of a lifetime".

Thanks again for the excellent services provided by Chianti&more.

I look forward to our next trip.

Best regards,

Frank C., USA

September 2006

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Ref. 288 – Vico d`Elsa

Hello,

Our vacation at the Villa was all we expected and more. The Villa is beautiful and the owner was very helpful. If we are lucky enough to return to Tuscany some day will would not hesitate renting this villa again and your services were great. Thank you

Dee W., NC

October 2007

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Ref. 295 - Panzano in Chianti

Dear Karin,
We were very satisfied with the accommodation and received more than expected.
I would definitely recommend this vacation home to friends and relatives.
You understood our needs and helped to satisfy it.

Zoltan M., Hungary
August 2007

Dear Karin, We are back home after a very sunny and relaxing stay in Italy.
During our 2-week stay we had a really good time and a very good stay in Panzano, we were very enthusiastic about our vacation and would certainly recommend the appartement and the service provided by Chianti and more.

Kind regards,

Geert C., Belgium

July 2007

Hi Karin,

We had a great holiday in Panzano. We already have recommended this vacation home to our friends and relatives. Although we did not get a chance to meet in person we would definitely recommend the services of your agency. The apartment was very suitable for our little family.

The description of the apartment matches pretty well what we found on the premises. The information that you sent regarding local restaurants, market days, etc was very useful.

The quality of the home is what we expected - not too high end but nice and clean - and we think is adequately priced. The apartment was clean, well equiped, except perhaps for a lack of cutlery.

These small things were however hugely made up by the unbelievable welcome we had from Signora Marina and her extended family. They were fantastic, extremely generous and really made our holiday! From the delicious food she made and let us taste, to their great olive oil that they make on the property and their wine, and the many friendly conversations we had with her and her brother-in-law (we think?) about gardening and farming in Tuscany. We also had the whole family (literally!) assist us (for hours!) when we ran into a problem with our car. We could have never figured out the problem without them and then they insisted in feeding us lunch before we left and that we take with us two bottles of their delicious olive oil. If you have a chance to talk to them, we would be grateful if you can let them know- as my Italian is poor and I am not sure if we managed to convey to them how pleased and thankful we are.

Brigitte L, Canada

May 2007

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Ref. 296 - Panzano in Chianti

Dear Karin,

We had a marvelous holiday. We loved our house in Panzano and enjoyed the owners very much. Thank you for asking for our impressions. Joe and I will recommend your agency and our house to others. You were very prompt in replying to my application and the information you provided was very adequate. Our house was immaculate and extremely well equipped with dishes, pots and pans and bedding. The furnishings were comfortable and perfect for the house and location.

The location was also perfect. We were a short walk from the village of Panzano but had total privacy. The view was awesome and the property was ideal for early morning walks among the vineyards and olive trees and the pool and deck were perfect for watching the sunsets. The rose gardens added a special touch. We wouldn't change anything about our time in Panzano! We are so glad that we met you in person. Thanks again for helping to make our holiday so special.

Joe and Roberta M, Canada

October 2007

Dear Karin,

We had a wonderful holiday in Panzano, the villa was so private with spectacular views and a great pool. Very convenient to walk into the village yet totallyprivate with stunning views. We would particularly like to thank Sig.ra Franca Cai for the very warm welcome we received. We would definitely recommend this villa and Chianti & more to friends and relatives.many thanks,

Catherine M., UK

August 2007

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Ref. 301/ 302 – Barberino Val d`Elsa

Dear Karin,
Thank you again for all your help with the villa. We absolutely LOVED staying in apt. Alloro. The property was incredibly beautiful and the apartment was well equiped, comfortable and stylish. We enjoyed our stay immensely. The property manager, Irene, and the the caretakers were gracious, welcoming and very helpful. We got wonderful restaurant and sightseeing recommendations. The place was everything advertised and more. We highly recommend this place to anyone - the location is excellent - very easy to reach the autostrada or take the country roads to so many wonderful places.

We had an unforgettable and memorable stay in Tuscany. We will recommend your agency and will call you again when we plan another trip to Italy.
Best Regards,
Cherelle S, USA
June 2006

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Ref. 316 - San Casciano

Dear Karin,

We all had an excellent holiday in San Casciano.We have already recommended Chianti and More to our friends and family. My sister, Bernadette, and her family booked through you this year and like us they were impressed by the efficient way you dealt with all aspects of the booking. Thank you. We only have praise for your service.

We were very comfortable in the villa and it had all that we needed. We were made very welcome by the owner and she took time to tell us about the area. She was charming.

The only reason I would not consider re booking this villa would be a desire to see more of the area. I would recommend it to others - but I would make the shortcomings very clear. It could be that some of the problems would be sorted out by next year.

Thank you again to Chianti and More. If we holiday in the region again next year we will be in touch.

Yours sincerely,

Theresa K., UK

August 2007

Karin

Thank you for your assistance in booking our vacation in San Casciano. We had a wonderful week there and the whole group enjoyed the house.

You were a great help in organising the trip and finding the ideal location for our group, and we appreciated the promptness of your replies and your help. We would certainly recommend Chianti and More to any one considering a vacation in Chianti.

The house was wonderful, the pool great and the gardens amazing. We were thrilled to meet Signora Sandra - she and her husband were always willing to help. Thank you again Karin for your help.

Best wishes

Bernadette S, USA

July 2007

Good morning,Putting it simply we found your services to be excellent. We thought the Villa was great, and really worked well for our family. We would return to the villa in the future, and have actually spoken to some of our friends about doing so. The owner’s were great to deal with. They even gave us a couple of bottles of the wine they make. The pool worked out really well, and everyone enjoyed its use. Would give the whole experience an A+
Best regards,
Bill K. USAJuly 2007

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Ref. 324 - Lamole - Greve in Chianti

Dear Karin, We had a great stay at Lamole.

Thank you for making it so memorable !

Cheers

Sri M., Singapore

July 2007

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Ref. 336 - Panzano in Chianti

Dear Karin,

We wanted to send you a note to officially thank you for ALL of your help and efforts in making our destination wedding celebration as perfect as it could be... Without you, we (literally) wouldn't have had a destination or anywhere to have the celebration or house any of our 50 guests, nor any transportation for anyone! Villa Il Prato was a dream, and the other villas you recommended were perfect - all our guests were more than happy and most were hoping they wouldn't ever have to leave... We can't thank you enough and know that we will be back to Panzano soon, if not to celebrate our anniversary, then to celebrate something else with you and all our old and new friends made there during our trip.

Grazie Mille,

Leyla and Gavin H., Los Angeles, CA

September 2007

To KARIN,

Thank you for introducing us to the star of our show -

"IL PRATO" in Panzano in Chianti!

Panzano was indeed magical. The show "No Reservations" will be amazing.
Fell in love with the place and hope to rent it for a week or two next summer.

Anthony Bourdain, NYC

May 2007

Author of Kitchen Confidential, Bone in the Throat, Gone Bamboo

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Ref. 345 - Marcialla

Hi Karin, We are still telling stories about our wonderful trip to Tuscany and how you saved the whole experience for us!We love the Fattoria! We look forward to seeing you again soon- maybe even in July 08.Take care.Best regards,

Greg and Rebecca M, Australia

August 2007