Fattoria di Marena GUESTBOOK
Helga with Christian and Nicholas from Germany has been here in September 2011 and she writes: Thank you for the beautiful house and the good time. J'm sure we will be back another time
Cristina di Firenze è stata da noi in settembre 2011, e scrive: Carissimi, sono tornata a casa e già penso con nostalgia a Marena. I miei bimbi sono stati sempre occupati e felici, grazie per il seggiolone ed il riduttore wc per la piccola. E che belle le foto sull'asinello. Spero di vedervi ancora prestissimo!
Kathy from USA has been in the farm with the family in September 2011 and wrote: Hello Isabella, I keep thinking of the wonderful weekend we had at your farm. Thank you again for you warm and generous hospitality. You have an amazingly beautiful home and the animals are incredible! I don't think we have cows quite that big back home!
Bernard and Stéphanie from Belgium have been in the farm July 2011 and write:
Thank you for the all! Perfect vacation in Casentino. Very beautiful place and charming people. Bye.
Saskia from Belgium was in the farm October 2010 and wrote:
Thank you again for the lovely stay at your farm. We had a great time. The colours of the trees in Tuscany in the fall are unique; we don't seem to get that kind of lovely colours in Belgium. Our two boys loved all the animals on the farm, and also the zoo in Poppi was a great succes. They even liked the visit in Palazzo Vecchio in Firenze (spotting the horses on the paintings and the ceilings was great fun). Furthermore most restaurants in Italy are far more child-friendly than in Belgium (and every child likes pasta!).
Please give our regards to everyone on the farm, and from Joran and Linus especially to the kittens, the cats, the fish, Tasha, Brunello and the other goats, the donkey, horses, cows, chickens, ducks and the roosters.
Saskia, Rafael, Joran and Linus
Anna e Giorgio di Roma sono stati in fattoria nell'Agosto 2010 e scrivono: Che posto incantato, che tranquillità e quanta storia!
Maggie from Canada was in Marena in august 2010 and wrote us: We recently returned from spending 9 nights at Fattoria di Marena with our 7 year old son, and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Isabella and her family are very welcoming, accommodating and give wonderful advice for day trips, restaurants and local foods to sample. We stayed in a very clean and spacious two bedroom apartment-villa across from the main house, with high timbered ceilings and beautiful rustic furnishings. The kitchen was fully equipped, and there was even a cold meal waiting for us in the fridge for our arrival in case we were late. The setting was very authentic with a small scale operating farm (beef cattle) and a menagerie of other animals to keep children entertained - chickens, ducks, donkey, goats, dog and cats. There is a nice long farm roadway, which is great for morning and evening walks among the fields and animals. A large, clean pool with a beautiful view over the countryside was a focal point - and a meeting place for the various families staying on the farm (there are about half a dozen different lodgings). A children's riding school operates on the farm - our son took one lesson, but I wish we had arranged for more. The instructor, Alessandra, is very professional, great with children and has beautiful horses. Another unique feature of the farm was the daily morning visit of 'the bread lady' who arrived with a truckload of fresh breads and pizzas (the onion pizza was our favourite) to purchase. The location is wonderful for families - many interesting day trips are possible - Poppi castle and zoo, La Verna Monastery (my personal favourite), Arezzo, Cortona, and various other churches, castles and monasteries. Bibbiena is a good size town with all amenities, and Soci, just a couple of KM away, is a really nice little village with a lively square on a Friday or Saturday night, a weekly farmer's market and a wonderful little restaurant (La Vita) that Isabella recommended and we visited twice! Definitely, a memorable stay for us and an experience we would highly recommend.
Anselmo di Milano è stato in Fattoria nell'Agosto 2010 e scrive: All'ultimo minuto abbiamo deciso di fare una settimana nel Casentino per smaltire lo stress accumulato; non potevamo fare una scelta migliore! Il nostro appartamento (arco) era in un edificio diviso in tre unità e distante qualche centenario di metri dalla fattoria dove c'è la casa principale, gli altri appartamenti, il maneggio, le stalle e la piscina. La fattoria era raggiungibile in pochi minuti sia passando dalla strada sia tramite un sentiero che nostro figlio di tre anni e mezzo adorava. L'appartamento, molto grande, è composto da un grande locale con zona soggiorno con camino e zona pranzo, due camere e bagno. Fuori c'è inoltre un gazebo con tavolo, sedie e barbecue. Il posto è bellissimo, il panorama incantevole ed i posti nelle vicinanze da visitare sono tantissimi. Infine i proprietari sono sempre stati molto disponibili, così come l'insegnante di equitazione.
Natalia from Riga was in Marena in June 2010 and wrote: First of all I would like to thank Isabella and her family for the perfect vacation we just have had. We have visited 3 places in Tuscany, but her place was the best! Its a nice country house near Bibbiena village, just 30 km from Arezzo. We had 3 spacious rooms with an amazing view on the forest, which at night was fascinating by the lights or fireflies, which was almost a fairytale view. The farm was great! Our daughter made friendship with Tasha, an absolutely adorable dog, and was excited to visit cows, horses, meet a donkey or goats, play with cats. I would certainly recommend this place for those who are looking for a runaway from busy towns and wants to enjoy peace and nature. Isabella was also very helpful and nice.
La Famiglia Marsano di Genova ha trascorso in Fattoria una settimana in Luglio 2009 e scrive:
Gentilissima Sig Isabella e famiglia, volevamo ringraziare per l'ospitalita e
le attenzioni da voi date ai nostri riguardi, ci siamo trovati benissimo per tutta la durata del nostro soggiorno..
Al nostro arrivo ci siamo sentiti subito a nostro agio: a nostra figlia è piaciuta molto la visita agli animali che avete alla fattoria.
L'appartamento Verone a noi affidato era molto carino e accogliente, pulito, tranquillo e fresco.
Un ottimo contesto per passare una settimana in tutto relax, la piscina sempre in ordine e pulita, il maneggio ben attrezzato e amministrato da persone competenti,
sono state delle giornate favolose.
Tanya R. D. from Canada was in Fattoria with her family in March 2009 and she wrote:
My family had a wonderful stay at Fattoria di Marena. Our accommodations were clean, comfortable, spacious and very child friendly.
The farm is beautiful with lots of room to get out for walks. My two year-old daughter thoroughly enjoyed going to visit the goats and chickens
everyday and the riding lessons my eleven-year-old daughter took were the highlight of her trip. There was plenty to see and do locally, when we didn't
want to go far, but the drive to Florence is very scenic and only takes about an hour. If you are looking for a slower pace this is a very nice place to stay
and I particularly recommend it to people who have children.
G. B. from Nederland has been in the farm with the family in July 2008 and he wrote:
Op de foto's van de accomodatie is niet te zien hoe ruim en verzorgd alles is. Wij vonden het erg leuk en fijn hier. Alles zeer goed verzorgd, erg aardige eigenaren. Bij aankomst kregen we een uitgebreide lijst met alle bezienswaardigheden en restaurants die de moeite waard zijn. Erg van genoten.
Rachel & Avi Farhi da Israele hanno soggiornato in Casa Fattore a Marena nel Giugno 2008, e scrivono:
Dear Sig Isabella,
Buon jiorno,
It has only past a week since we have returned from Toscana and steel the taste remained on our lips....
I would like to emphasize that the on the very first moment we entered the path leads you'r farm, we already
felt like somebody is opening his arms and wormly embrace us...
Then of course we had the chance to meet you and got the "second hug"...
The rooms were clean and comfortable,with an amazing view to the woods and the other vilages around,
The swiming pool and its area were amaizing as well .
We felt like we had all the privecy we needed and yet we felt we could consult you about any issue that may be revealed.
The access to and from the farm is easy and convenient as well, which made everything really easier.
We enjoyed taking you'r advices about the track we wanted to do.
On this trip we did not had the opertunity of riding you'r horses but we are looking forward on the future...
Unfortunally we spended only 5 days in the area ,so no doubt we intend to visit Italy and toscana again,
and you'r farm in particularly .
Thank You
Grazie
Lukas, Paul, Christine e Martin dalla Germania hanno soggiornato in Casa Fattore a Marena nel Maggio 2008 (Pfingsten), e scrivono:
Ciao Isabella,
wir wollen uns bei Dir und Deiner Familie noch einmal für den
wunderschönen Aufenthalt auf der Fattoria di Marena bedanken. Wir haben
selten einen Urlaub in Italien so genossen wie diese eine Woche auf
eurem Gutshof. Die herrliche Ruhe genauso wie die reizvolle Umgebung,
die Tatsache, dass wir unsere Kinder ohne Bedenken rauslassen konnten
oder einfach abends am Kamin zu sitzen und den Tag stilvoll ausklingen
zu lassen. Es gibt für uns viele Gründe wieder zu kommen und wir hoffen,
dass das in nicht allzu weiter Ferne ist.
1000 Dank für die herzliche Aufnahme, Fürsorge und Offenheit, mit der
Ihr uns beherbergt habt.
la Famiglia Carrozza è stata a Marena durante le vacanze Pasquali 2008, e scrive:
Gentile signora Isabella, poichè alla nostra partenza non è stato possibile salutarla personalmente, le inviamo una mail di ringraziamenti per l'ospitalità. Siamo stati veramente bene a parte le condizioni meteo che tutto sommato hanno caratterizzato positivamente la nostra vacanza. Speriamo di poter godere del vostro posto magari d'estate!! Grazie ancora ed arrivederci.
Famiglia Carrozzala Famiglia Bulfon è stata a marena nel Luglio 2007, e scrive:
Da molti anni ormai (quasi 18) conosciamo e frequentiamo la Fattoria Marena, che per noi è diventato il luogo del relax e dell’immersione nella natura. I signori Alessandro e Annamaria e i loro figli Piero e Isabella con le loro famiglie ci hanno accolto fina dalla prima volta con simpatia e disponibilità, accompagnandoci poi in tutti questi anni nella conoscenza dei luoghi e delle bellezze della Fattoria e del territorio. Amiamo questi luoghi per tanti motivi: per la loro verde bellezza, per l’accessibilità dei boschi e delle foreste, per la calma che li pervade, per la vita tranquilla che offre la vacanza in fattoria, per la cura con la quale le case che ci hanno ospitato in questi anni(…ne abbiamo frequentate parecchie…)sono arredate e mantenute, per il clima accogliente e discreto che la famiglia sa creare attorno agli ospiti, per la Storia che si respira nei luoghi del circondario e per le opportunità di “fare base” a Marena per visitare città d’arte e luoghi storici in Toscana e anche in Umbria e Marche, che non sono poi così distanti. Insomma, a rischio di sembrare noiosi, abbiamo “adottato” Fattoria Marena come un luogo verde per gli occhi e per lo spirito, dove abbiamo sempre trovato un ambiente che ci ha permesso di rigenerare la nostra energia con le sue molteplici proposte. Abbiamo molto passeggiato, nella splendida foresta Casentinese, e abbiamo sempre potuto godere di varie ed interessanti proposte per il tempo libero offerte dal territorio, che vanno dal divertimento del “Cinema sotto le stelle”nei paesi limitrofi, al Festival di musica d’organo alla Verna, a pochi chilometri dalla Fattoria, alle Fiere tipiche nei dintorni, alla musica di “Pievi e Castelli in musica”…insomma, davvero c’è da scegliere! Ma soprattutto apprezziamo la calma e il silenzio, il panorama e la piscina, la vita semplice e la disponibilità della famiglia Nati Poltri.
Famiglia Bulfon Udine - ItaliaAnne, Laura e Silvio from Germany have been in Casa Fornace in May 2007, they wrote:
Liebe Isabella, jedesmal wenn wir an Deine Fattoria denken, kommen uns folgende Begriffe in den Sinn und wir schwelgen in Urlaubserinnerung: - die Stille - deine Gastfreundschaft - Entspannung pur im Einklang mit der Natur - der noch intakte ursprüngliche Charakter der Fattoria und der Umgebung - das köstliche essen mit kulinarischen Highlight wie z.B. "Tagliatelle mit Wildschwein Ragu" - gemütliche Abende vor dem prasselnden Kaminfeuer (Radio, Fernseher und Telefon haben wir keine Sekunde vermisst) - das nächtliche Leuchten der Glühwürmchen In einem Wort: wir planen schon unseren nächsten Urlaub in der "Fattoria Marena". Con simpatia Anne, Laura e Silvio
Sheila and Roger from UK have been in Villa Fattore-Bigattiera in April 2007, they wrote:
Our stay at Fattoria-Marena was one of the best holidays we have had. The farm offered a very comfortable home for our time in Casentino, fresh air and beautiful scenery to wake up to every day. The vast mountainous expanse within the National Park provided wonderful walking trails through rich, silent forests, with frequent opportunities for detours to historic villages and towns where one finds beautiful examples of traditional architecture and culture. Every day offered something new, we found we could happily alternate nature hikes with visits to such picturesque centres as Poppi, Stia, Badia Prataglia, La Verna, each with their own unique treasures to explore. Proximity to larger centres such as Florence, Sienna, Arezzo, Assisi make this area especially attractive, although our daily excursions within Casentino amply filled our time. We look forward to returning again and again to Fattoria-Marena, it feels like home. Sheila and Roger
Finn Jensen from Sweden wrote comments:
I've been a guest at Fattoria Marena for two years, each time I come to the farm I'm taken by the beauty and the calm of the countryside.
The farm is in the perfect spot for exploring Florence, Arezzo, San Marino and even Rome is not far.
For those who do not want to make tripps, the nearby contryside offers fine walks in magnificent surroundings.
As in all of Italy, good wine and good food are daily precense: so just lean back and enjoy.
The people of the farm and the nearby village of Bibbiena are very freindly and helpfull
So what more can you ask for give Fattoria Marena my warmest recommendations?
Finn Jensen Hovslagaregt Skillingaryd Sweden
Andrea Parrini di Firenze scrive
Gentile Sig Isabella volevamo ringraziarla per le "attenzioni"
che ci ha concesso...rendendoci la (purtroppo) brevissima vacanza veramente speciale.......e cogliamo l'occasione per farle vedere il vero "loock" della nostra piccola Lilly... saluti cari e.......a rivederci (speriamo presto) :-))))))))))))
Andrea&Family.......
.
Sietske from Nederlands wrote
Dear Isabella,
I have enjoyed my stay in Bibbiena. It is a lovely village and the apartment was very nice.
The young Birgit from Untermeintingen left that message:
Timm and Selene from New Zeland wrote comments and travel tips:
14th October, 2002
Dear Isabella,
Greetings from New Zealand!
We are very sorry for not writing sooner, but as soon as we got home we had much work to do. But we were also concerned to see all the flooding in europe - hopefully Toscana did not suffer?
Our hearts are full of our very happy time in Italia, and especially our time in the Casentino Valley, staying in your lovely farmhouse FORNACE.
For us, we were able to do so many things during our week there - visiting nearby Poppi, visiting Firenze, buying beautiful fresh food each day & cooking it that night, walking to Bibbiena to have some of the best gelato in Italia, relaxing by Fatorria Marenas swimming pool, going for mountain bike rides, driving into the Apennini to visit the monastery of La Verna, having picnics and enjoying everything that makes Toscana so special.
Bibbiena is perfectly placed to enjoy so many things, and we certainly got to enjoy a lot of them! We were pleasantly surprised at how close the Apennini are and how very pretty the Casentino Valley is - a fantastic part of Toscana.
And thank you very much for all of your hospitality Isabella. Your help with everything before we left New Zealand was kind, and you made us feel welcome as soon as we arrived. Fornace was the ideal house for us to stay in, and we felt very comfortable there. Because we come from such a young country it was amazing for us to stay in a house with so much history.
Our warmest regards,
Selene & Tim
Christchurch,
New Zealand
Olivia Harries from UK wrote: Isabella, Here are a couple of photos of me and the girls at the pool as promised Thank you for letting us stay we had a good time and I hope Adelante is OK as he is a beautiful big horse
The Cope family from UK wrote comments and travel tips: Dear Isabella, Sorry this is a bit late but we would like to say lots of nice things about Fattoria di Marena for your guest book. When we booked our holidays in Bibbiena we did not know anyone who had been to that part of Toscana. The Casentino valley area is so beautiful and it was very convenient to visit beautiful places like Florence, Poppi, Siena and Arezzo. We loved the accommodation we had. It was very clean and had everything we needed. It was lovely to stay somewhere that has so much history and which is so typically Toscana rather than the purpose built tourist resorts. We enjoyed the atmosphere of a true Toscana working farm. Aimee loves horses so having a riding school there was great for us. It was delightful to sit by the lovely swimming pool and take in the wonderful scenery. We did not experience the restaurants nearby as we enjoyed cooking at the house either on the oven or on the BBQ. We usually ate out at lunchtime wherever we were. Thank you for your lovely hospitality, friendliness and helpfulness. Keep up the good work with your wonderful website. The Cope family