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Vacations can be tough.  All the planning, all the anticipation, all the excitement can create such high expectations that reality is nothing more than a disappointment.  Such is not the case with Villa Poggio.

Europe is not known for its hospitality.  This was painfully obvious in Paris, and, more subtly, in Barcelona.  But don't tell this to Verena, the owner and proprietor of Villa Poggio.  From the moment you arrive at Villa Poggio, a charming, active olive plantation nestled in the Alpine foothills just outside of Florence, Verena greets you with an enormous smile and a friendly "Ciao", welcoming you to her family-run business.  She personally walks you to your room, explains the amenities, and gives you your keys.  That completes the check-in process - no standing in line at a counter surrounded by your luggage.  No requests for signatures and credit cards, as if you would leave without paying. 

Verena treats you as more than a guest.  She treats you like a member of her extended family.  Whether it be keeping you apprised of potential snags in your travel plans, helping you arrange trips to the nearby attractions, or giving you a free bottle of wine because you spent half your day walking around the nearby village trying to find a bank where your ATM card would work so you could get enough cash to pay for one of your excursions (because cabs don't take credit cards), Verena is there to ensure your stay exceeds your expectations.

During our stay, we stayed in the luxury Donatello suite on the second floor with views of the Italian Alps foothills.  This luxurious two-room accommodation offered everything we needed for a comfortable stay - stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, internet access and a kitchen sink.  A fireplace in the living room and bedroom made me wish we were visiting in the winter, not the heat of summer.  The free, high speed internet was a welcome surprise and the continental breakfast they brought to our room minutes after we called to request it more than sufficed for a morning meal.

If the villa itself isn't enough for you, the grounds themselves are exquisite.  Quiet, secluded, and full of everything a young child needs to go exploring - trees, hills, a field, and a pond - the beautiful serenity of the property is matched only by the surrounding countryside.  The unheated pool is a refreshing contrast to the hot summer temperatures, and, even when the villa is full, you are likely to have it all to yourself for a cooling plunge, or a clandestine, late night skinny dip.

If you are looking for a bustling, full service hotel in the heart of a city, this is not the place for you.  If you want a quiet place to get away from it all that is still close enough to the city that you can enjoy its nightlife, this is the place for you.

If Italy is on your bucket list, then so should be Villa Poggio.