My wife and I just finished two lovely weeks at this beautiful and ancient home in the tiny village of Montalla, just outside of Cortona. We came to Tuscany to help harvest olives with friends who live here so it was off-season, the first half of October.
The owner, Michael, was extremely accommodating even before we arrived as we had to change our dates at the last minute to adjust to the unpredictable harvest times.
When we got there, he helped us settle in and responded to all our initial questions and requests. He helped us get set up for grocery shopping and an outside laundry (on a Sunday no less) and quickly fulfilled a few small requests.
The apartment itself was spacious with a beautiful, large tiled full bathroom, a king size bed with an extra bed in the bedroom and an extra 3/4 bathroom at the back. The kitchen was fully functional and well stocked and the living/dining area was very spacious. (My wife says to mention NOT to miss the soft sofa cover in the chest that she only discovered the day we left.)
We cooked many great meals on the gas stovetop and in the electric microwave/convection oven. The hot water never cooled one bit, even with back to back showers. Internet was not super fast but was 100% reliable in the living area.
Michael lives next door and was available for any questions but he never intruded.
The grounds are simply gorgeous (see his site photos, they are accurate, even showing the assigned parking place with a car in the background.
This home is 1 minute from a wonderful local grocery store and perhaps 8 minutes from the "escalator parking" for the famous thriving ancient hill town of Cortona, made known to Americans by the Frances Maye memoir: Under the Tuscan Sun - a copy of which was there for me to read.
Another mile or two brings you to the larger city of Camucia with its large Tuesday Market. Don't miss it.
One of the great discoveries for us was that Michael's mother, Donatello, who owns her own appointment-only restaurant 150 meters down the road, as well as a cooking school, was able open her doors and cook for just us and another couple, one of the best meals we have had here in Italy, and for the most reasonable of prices. Michael arranged it for us (his English is perfect and he translated for his mother.)
When we return to Tuscany next year we will look to book with Michael again.