03/03/2011
Spencer, Fiona and Betsy Clarke
This is our fifth trip to Erta in five years - and I write this on our final day here for this year - and look forward to the next visit already.
Some would say that this indicates a chronic lack of imagination, or worse. But to me, my wife Fiona and two year old daughter Betsy, Erta really is heaven on earth.
We've now stayed in all three of the Erta apartments. We booked Geranio the first year and another two times. It is spacious and cool in the high summer and Varno, the host, set up a cot for Betsy when she was just 10 months.
Fiona and I stayed à deux in the Lavanda apartment in April ? providing very romantic accommodation just for two.
It's the Rosa apartment we stayed in this year for the first time. It has two double bedrooms, both beautifully decorated. It has a wonderful, jasmine covered pergola under which we have sat and drank wine and read ? or just sat and watched visitors come and go!
The relaxed atmosphere is supplied by the Spirelli family ? Rena, Lido, Uncle Varese, Varno and his son Matteo. The family pets Jimmy and Laska also provide daily entertainment for Betsy.
One thing we love is that each year Varno makes small changes that improve the experience for his guests. For example, lighting the way from where the cars are parked, or a handrail down to the wonderful swimming pool. Varno?s wine also gets better and better each year we think.
Another real plus that few other Agriturismos do in the same way, is Varno?s cooking for guests typically three times per week. Two evenings are typically Tuscan, with a fun pizza night on Friday. Even our two year old managed five pieces of different pizzas! You can also buy Erta wine, olive oil, pasta sauces, eggs and jams ? all are wonderful and you just take them from the Cantina and add them to your own bill.
If you want to experience a typical piece of Tuscan magic ? with wonderful views, smells and all things edible - we cannot recommend Erta highly enough.
Thank you Varno for your great company, terrible jokes, delicious food and wine. We look forward to our next trip - dear friend ? when there will be four of us!
Un grand abbraccio.
Spencer, Fiona and Betsy Clarke, Gloucestershire, England
08/04/2011
Spencer, Fiona, Betsy & Harry Clarke
Since the update above, we have returned another four times and added another member to the family.
We look forward to invading Erta again this summer, to make it 10 visits in consecutive years.
A presto Varno!
05/06/2011
Arianna Desideri
Io sono stata ospite all'Erta una sera di 2 anni fa ed ancora la porto nel cuore...quell'atmosfera incantata e la grande ospitalità di Varno, non si possono scordare! Spero di tornarci presto. Arianna
19/07/2011
Spencer Clarke and family
This is now our 10th consecutive year at Erta in 2011, and we are still loving the place, the host, the food and the wine of course. If you are considering a relaxed holiday in Tuscany, look no further, this place is heaven on earth. Give it a try.
Grazie mille Varno e ci vediamo presto!
28/08/2011
Anna
Staying in Erta always feels like a very special holiday to us. We have been coming here for the past 10 years or so - ever since Varno opened. It's been a real pleasure to get to know him and his family but even if you are coming for the first time you will be well looked after.
Erta as a farmhouse is beautiful. The traditional Tuscan stone helps to keep out the heat in the summertime. Because Erta is built on a hill there is often a gentle breeze and there are stunning views all around.
Varno's produce and wine is made with the most meticulous attention to detail. The day to day Erta wine is always delicious and the Risala exceptional. Varno cooks at his Osteria three nights a week - a great opportunity to meet other travellers and locals and to feel rather spoilt and well fed. We have met some wonderful people at Erta.
Our children enjoy the pool and the freedom to explore. Jimmy, and now Lula, are great canine playmates. From Erta we have visited Sienna, Florence, Volterra, San Gimignano, Radicondoli and the beach at Punto Ala. The children have enjoyed horse riding near by at Tre Mullini. We have had plenty of days when we say "Shall we stay at Erta today?" and there is unanimous agreement and another happy day.
We look forward to our next visit...
Anna, Gary, Byron and Ella (Hampshire, England)
22/09/2011
Anne&Sebastian
Abbiamo avuto un´altra grande settimana su Erta. GRAZIE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Erta is such a wonderful place and Varno is just a fantastic host ... and of course Jimmy and Lula are terrific. Erta is the perfect place for a unique vacation. We definitely will come back again!
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