The apartment itself--we were in the 3-bedroom--is impeccably designed, clean, white, with beautiful furniture. The upstairs bedroom--the corn room--is spectacular. The sitting room with TV and couches is the coziest room, and we spent our time there or in the kitchen.
Everything works and the kitchen is fun to cook in. We ended up eating and cooking in the kitchen, or walking down the hill a bit to a good plain restaurant. Also within walking distance is a delicatessan so you don't have to fear running out of wine, cheese, olives, milk, bread, or many other delicious foods.
There are two bathrooms, one deluxe and the other smaller and more spartan. The children's bedroom has three single beds and is cozy and old-fashioned in a sweet way.
There were four in our party—my husband and I, and another couple. We were spending three weeks in Italy and were determined not to rent a car and to use public transportation. Villa Caprera is in a small group of buildings surrounding an antique well. The buildings are lovely and in perfect trim, a small community set on a high hill. Below, a Tuscan landscape and a wild highway down to Siena. We took the nearby bus to the city and from there took the bus to Florence. When we left, we took a bus from the main train station to our next stop--Montepulciano. Our stay was very slightly restricted by the bus schedule but you can always get a reasonably priced cab ride back up to Costafabbri if you stay in the city past the last bus.
Simona's father very kindly took us our first day to a big grocery store where we did a major shop. Other than that we relied on the little store or the excellent Wednesday market in Siena where vendors from all over Tuscany come to sell food, leather goods, and everything else.
The property is clean, well-maintained, and just as described. This wouldn't be a good place to be with toddlers--some delicate furnishings plus an open stone staircase--but with older children it would be fine. The garden is lovely with lots of rosemary, lavender, and flowers, and while it wasn't the weather for outdoor grilling, we could see that this could be done easily.
The Bencini family is very kind, gracious, and helpful.
For those who want to be instantly on the bustling streets of Siena, not the right place. An excellent place for those who like a quiet retreat after busy days. And you could hardly ask for a more beautiful view.