Guest experiences

"In a land far away, atop a hill sits a beautiful house with warm people who welcome you as if you were their own friends. Quality is paramount, everything is beautifully and solidly built. It is comfortably furnished and feels like a warm blanket (or a cool one when it's hot outside).

The view is always enchanting. The peace and quiet... deafening.

We searched online and found this gem. The photos do not do justice to how it actually looks and feels.

Unfortunately, every fairy tale comes to an end, the summer vacation of 2023 is over, and Podere Tina has touched us! It may well be that we'll come back someday...

Marielle and Binnert 2023 September 

 

For the first time in 2001, I came to visit Podere Tina with my family. From people we know we were told that if we wanted to have a vacation with comfortable beds, we should go to Podere Tina. During our arrival we were astonished by the farm with the barn at its side, which is beautifully restored into a classic living area with all the modern comforts you need. Everything was done with a lot of attention for detail, such that the apartments were not only beautiful but also had a very tasteful and high quality interior design. We visited Podere Tina in 2022 for the 9th time (!) and plan to return for sure. Over the years, we have stayed in apartments Vignaiola and Tinaia during our vacations. The accommodation, the swimming pool and garden, the location with views all around…. we can’t get enough.

The surrounding area has also a lot to offer. The closest town is Trevinano, which has a great traditional restaurant (trattoria) and a restaurant with a Michelin star. There are a few other towns about half an hour drive from Podere Tina. A longer drive away are Siena, Florence and Rome, perfect for a day out. Because Podere Tina is in the middle of a rural and picturesque area , there are no stores and restaurants in the near vicinity. A trip with the car is something we have always liked. In this area, there are no highways with lots of traffic, but instead, lots of old Italians driving in there old Fiats. During the high season, there are of course some tourists, but not a lot because there are no big touristic spots in the near surrounding area. The real, rural Italy has so much to offer.

 Roel Pas 2022 September

 

In the middle of the corona summer of 2021, we finally were able to get our family together on the beautiful Podere Tina.

We were with 12 for 2 weeks, and we liked to have stayed much longer. For us as a group it had everything we needed: nice comfortable (bed) rooms, good equipped kitchens, and lovely places to sit outside and eat together, as well as a great swimming pool with an astounding view and several little spots to be alone for a moment in the shadow of a tree. The house lays on a beautiful hill with a view into the valley and is also not too far from villages and towns that are worthy of a visit for their markets, restaurants, to watch a football game or just to drink coffee. Henri and his son were ideal hosts; almost every day there or in the neighborhood, but literally never in the way of anything :-). On request, Henri can arrange for a pizza oven evening and a wine tasting; both were super fun and delicious. We hope to return soon to this great place. 

Familie Hetsen juli 2021

Oh to be in such need, to be surrounded by peace, space, nature and comfort. Together with our family. And our prayers were heard. Because where the tarmac stopped (and also our navigation system), the dirt road flowed beneath us as we were on our way to "Heaven on earth". Far away we saw, on a hill, surrounded by cypresses, an estate. "That's where we want to go to!", we screamed extatically. Not knowing that it would be our estate indeed, for a week, when the sign Podere Tina was pointing towards that hill. We were welcomed and guided by Henri, who stopped his daily doings and works on the estate for us. Because yes, each and every day there is work to be done. We picked fresh vegetables from the vegetable garden and olive oil from its own harvest, because of great success, already given to the previous guests. It was so delicious! It was becoming fall already, but nevertheless there were a few war, days in the weather forecast. That's why the swimming pool was left open and cleaned for us. Our apartment was entirely decorated and not lacking any comforts. Our week as true Italians was about to start. And so we did! In the morning we drove to the nearest town, to drink a lovely cappuccino and eat a dolce. I can't put any words towards the Italian cuisine, that you should taste. Lunch and diner were so nice in the several villages and towns nearby. But also our evenings in our own Italian kitchen was the true experience. Cooking and dining, accompanied by the homemade wine of Henri, a soothing experience. And every day we saw another painting around us. The land was continuously changing and that's why every morning it was a surprise how the land around would look like. And every afternoon, after our siesta, our walks and hikes were an adventure to be explored, full of beautiful far sights and sunsets. We will definitely return during summer to have wine tastings and pizza's from the traditional pizza oven, as well as tasting the homemade olive oil. But for now we wander through our fond memories of the warming fall sun and the fire place roaring at the center of our evenings, to end the day just as warm as it begun.

Family Schilder Januari 2020

Podere Tina has a very special place in the hearts of our family. We fell in love with the spectacular views and special energy that it has in 2016 so much so that we got married there a year later in front of our family and friends. Henri and Sabrina have become very dear friends and they make this place as welcoming as it is beautiful. 

 
This year we went back for a week with a group of friends and children and had an incredible week. Henri and Sabrina hosted a wine tasting in the cantina last on one evening and cooked us a beautiful meal on another. As we had children we couldn’t leave Podere Tina at night so these evenings were incredibly special as it meant we could have amazing experience without leaving. 
 
We can’t wait for our next visit to our favourite place in the world. 

Paul Barton september 2019

We, a family with 4 children (17-21 years old), really enjoyed our stay at Podere Tina. The pictures on the website are nice, but when you are there it is even more beautiful and a fantastic location. A lovely quiet place in Tuscany with great possibilities outside the Podere. A visit to the lake Bolsena is certainly worth while, just like Monte Amiato, which is also a bit cooler. A lot of cute little villages nearby the estate.
The condition and design of the estate is done with great attention and thought. A lot of nice places and everything is in perfect condition.
The inside is like a home, quality stuff, cosy and no costs are spared.
Enjoying the terras outside, but also enjoying the finish of the Tour at 5 p.m. on the comfy couch in the livingroom.
Henri comprehends it fully. Every day he is there, but not in your face and sincerely looking for feedback and input from the guests.
Wonderful fresh fruits and vegetables from the garden, delicious!
A stay to never forget and a place to return to.

Pim Stam August 2018

 
First time I visited Podere Tina more than 10 years ago, it was business meeting of our international team. Then I came to Tina several times again, having different training sessions, meetings and even strategic EMEA planning. Being fascinated by villa I came later here already on private – with my wife and family friends. And then in April-May this year we came again with my wife Inna to enjoy Tina together. And every time Tina perfectly match expectation of your visit, every time you can discover different Tina. It can be business conference facility with flipcharts and coffee breaks, having brainstorm corners and teambuilding space. It can be party premises for close friends in big or small company with cooking classes, piece of meat and sip of wine together, backed up by memorable tours in medieval villages around. It can be romantic villa just for two with a fireplace in the room and remote benches outside to enjoy picturesque sunset and unbelievable foggy dawn. When visiting Tina I like to see that Tina remains the same and Tina is constantly changing. Every time I use to find another comfortable bench with different view at splendid Tuscany vicinity, or another footpath around villa hill, or additional comfortable place for grill and evening glass of wine, or another town around with century history and curve street to walk through. I like to come back to Tina and explore it, I like to feel it like home and discover it again and again.
 
I think we with my wife have disclosed the main secret of Podere Tina. Main secret of Podere Tina is Henri, who had a dream about Tuscany, who has made his dream come true creating Tina and who is constantly thinking how to develop and make it more and more comfortable. We would like to thank you Henri for sharing your dream with your guests! We hope to come back again! Inna has put our impressions together in this video, and we are happy to share it at Podere Tina website.  
 
Yury Moscow April 2017
 

Tuscany’s Best Kept Secret

The best thing about “best kept secrets” is that they are secrets, so this is just between you and me, please don’t tell anyone else .. or they’ll all want to come.

Podere Tina has been a huge part of both my, and my family’s lives, since we first started coming in 2002. As early as April and as late as November, I have brought various members of my family and many friends now seventeen times. Each visit has been a combination of total peace, tranquility and relaxation within the grounds of this wonderful Tuscanesque villa and visits to both regular haunts and new exploration. For my family members, and I, the treat of a visit here has more of a feeling of a homecoming than a vacation.

This unspoilt region nestling at the bottom of Tuscany meeting Umbria and Lazio, appears unchanged for generations. Certainly coming from the UK, it is extremely rare to find the same shopkeepers, restaurateurs, neighbours, gardeners and housekeepers greeting us across two decades when we cannot say the same for our home environments over two years, but this uniqueness adds to the familiarity and warmth of coming back.

“Tina” has been a wonderful base to explore much of middle Italy, and we have been blessed with exploring many famous sites in well-known cities and towns such as Florence, Rome, Siena, Orvieto and Montepulciano, as well as lesser-known obscure medieval towns such as Radicofani, Pienza, Saturnia, Pitigliano and San Casciano dei Bagni. Whether visiting the Roman Colliseum, the Florentine Uffizi, the Siennese Paleo or the vineyards of Montalcino and Orvieto, or the incredible natural hot springs of Saturnia, San Felipe and San Casciano dei Bagni, the 15th century Turkish “monster park” of Bomarzo, and the multitude of local superb restaurants, fattoria and gellateria, Podere Tina offers so much to do and see within just 90 minutes drive.

Waking up to perfect silence and privacy and viewing the sunrise and sunset over the stunning landscapes reminds me of just how special “Tina” is. Together with the well equipped kitchens, well positioned outdoor dining areas, the most wonderful fruit, vegetables and meat available in this region (whether from the garden or the local shops), and wonderful wines from the private cantina, this is both a chef’s and gourmet’s paradise.

Year by year, Podere Tina has experienced small improvements here and there, the garden matures, the internet access improves, the landscape changes with the seasons, but the soul remains, warm and welcoming, the swimming pool clear, inviting and refreshing, and the cantina stocked with some of the finest local wines and home-produced wines and olive oils.

What’s more, it’s remarkably easy and cost-effective to get to from an increasing number of airports and routes (including Rome, Bologna, Pisa and Pescara), only a few hours door-to-door from home.

But remember, let’s keep this our best kept secret, don't tell anyone else ;-)

Grenville Whelan June 2016

 

We had a fantastic week with the whole family, three generations, 15 people, at Podere Tina: a beautiful farmhouse - but it felt more like a beautiful royal estate. 

The house has a soul, you can feel it is built and decorated with a lot of love, you'll feel right at home. The lovely design of the house, the colours, the choice of material: it's all very pure- very honest.

Because of the lovely weather of July we spent most of our time around the portico, the lovely big garden with swings, the hammock, sunbeds and a lot of places to play but also a lot of places to relax- and of course the swimmingpool. What a view! Swimming in the pool before anyone is awake, is an etraordinay experience. 

We also enjoyed the delicious wines and olive oil from the Cantina and we enjoyed the pizzas which were made by Marysa and Simona in the authentic pizza oven. An out of the ordinary experience was the night that starchef Romana, who brought all the necessaries to Podere Tina, gave a cooking lessen to everyone.

Lots of thankyous Henri for the way you were involved and stayed in contact with us. It was a privilege to stay at Podere Tina and it's a wonderful place to go back to (preferably a bit longer). I can't wait to come back.

Familie Groenevelt / Annemarie Lütjens July 2015

 

We had the opportunity to spend a week end of July at Podere Tina with our 7 grow ups and 5 grandchildren. Needles to say that the setting and beautiful neighbourhood are breathtaking, the pictures speak for themselves.
The accommodation of the different living quarters is immaculate, each room brings his soul.
Scattered around on the premises you find intimate sitting areas, every one of them allowing for peace, brilliant views, own fire place or bbq facility.
The swimming pool on top of the hill is a perfect gathering place for a big family event as well for intimate night swimming under the stars.
The owner has build up close relationship with local people who helped us in the most friendly way during our stay.
Some of us went out to visit Sienna, Asisse, lake Bolzena, .... but everyone was very pleased to return to the overwhelming atmosphere at Podere Tina

Bart Rentmeesters July 2014

 

The word podera Tina is our symbol for "lovely time". We have thoroughly enjoyed the silence, the serenity, the beauty of the setting sun, the coolness of the pool and much more. The hilltop location is unique, the immediate surroundings and the views around are heartwarming, the house is very tastefully decorated. The reception is welcoming. If you still just want to go out there are nice places to visit within short driving distance and walks are possible where there is constantly something to discover. You have something to talk about to get there, but it is worth it. In short: highly recommended. 

Marianne and Joop van der Kooij. 29-10-2012

 

We look back on a fantastic holiday in podere la Tina. It is a place to dream and your love for the country and yard, is felt in every detail. We looked at the pictures of long time ago when you just had acquired La Tina and were started with the restoration / renovation. The pictures tell their own story. Every morning the landscape, scenery continued to surprise us, where it was almost impossible to see the majestic vistas in their totality. Games in the lovely pool, as formerly, long sagging with wine and limoncello, espresso Caciano dei Bagni, a day Montepulciano and a day Orvieto. Enjoyed the cooking class at La Romano Parolina, and what are Maryse and Simona great with their unsurpassed pizzas. 

Tessa de Clercq 20-10-2012

 

Podere Tina, such a great ambiance and a stunning location. I had an amazing time staying at Podere Tina. An absolute recommendation.                             

Marquiette Schaap 19-10-2012