Italy, Buonconvento (near Siena), San Nazario, Casa Rasa

We went to this beautiful Casa Rasa farmhouse in 2002 (amazing I still remember this...). The house is on a hilltop with panoramic views. It was recommended by word of mouth to Marketa R. and our whole group consisted of 4 adults and 5 kiddies, all staying in the spacious apartment on the first floor, which has a 10m long loggia with open arches, kitchen/living room and four bedrooms, two with private bath or shower rooms and two that share a study and bath/shoer room reached down a short staircase. The fourth bedroom has direct access to the loggia. The rooms are tall and birght, with beamed ceiling and beautiful floors laid in travertine and terracotta. Nearby is the medieval town of Buonconvento and the Benedictine monastery Monte Oliveto Maggiore. We took trips to Siena, Florence and many smaller towns nearby. Beautifull Tuscany!!! At the time we were there, there was also a small pool near the house. The owners live in the apartement downstairs. We had such a great time there - for me it was one of the best vacations ever.

Greece, Island Lefkada, Agios Nikitas

Lefkada is one of the Ionian islands connected to the mainland by bridge so you can get there by car. We went to a village called Agios Nikitas twice. The first time we stayed in the village directly which we do not recommend (too loud and busy). Second time, we discovered the Myrto Apartements located high above the village on the hill. You can drive up there by car and there is also a path from the village if you want to hike. The place is totally peacefull and has a beautifull view. There are apartments with kitchen and balcony (air conditioned), parents have bedroom, kids sleep in the main room. The whole building has about 10 apartments total and when we went there it was not crowded at all, in fact we were the only ones using the pool. The reason why we liked Agios Nikitas is a beach called Milos, a beatifull uncrowded stretch of pebble beach 1,5 km long without access (either water taxi or climb accross a mountain). The hike to the beach is not easy (you literally climb down on rocks) but it is totally worth is. Our kids did it age 2 and 4.

Germany, Spa Hotel zur Bleiche, Spreewald

The Hotel zur Bleiche in Burg in Spreewald is quite fancy and expensive and we went there for just two days but it was worth it. It is located in Spreewald in Eastern Germany, about 100 km from Berlin along highway A13. It is a large hotel with restaurants and a great spa with many areas, indoor and outdoor pools, you can book massages ...
phone +49 (0) 35603 / 620.
email info@hotel-zur-bleiche.com

France, Mas de Sudre, near Gaillac

MasDeSudre,
originally uploaded by JohanaG.

Mas de Sudre is a house we rented in summer 2007. There is a main house with BaB where the owners (a British couple) live and right opposite is the house for rent. The whole place is on the top of a hill about 5 km outside of Gaillac, a small town near Albi in Midi-Pyrenees. Both houses are surrounded by a large garden (very beautiful) and there is a nice long pool (13m) and a tennis court. The accommodation possibilities range from 6 up to 10 people. The kitchen has a fire place and everything is well equipped. The owners are really nice.