Escape to Tuscany: Your Dream Belvilla Awaits in Dicomano!
Escape to Tuscany: Dicomano Dream or Just a Tuscan Tango? (Belvilla Review - The Unfiltered Truth)
Alright, buckle up buttercups! This isn't your sanitized, corporate review. This is my stay at Escape to Tuscany in Dicomano, brought to you by Belvilla, and let me tell you, it was a rollercoaster of "Magnifico!" and "Wait…what?" Prepare for a journey through rolling hills, questionable Wi-Fi, and the ever-present (and sometimes overwhelming) Italian charm.
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Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (and a Prayer)
Okay, let's rip the band-aid off: the accessibility situation at Escape to Tuscany is a tad… nuanced. The website says they cater to guests with specific needs. But navigating those enchanting, albeit uneven, Tuscan pathways in a wheelchair? Not exactly a walk in the park (literally!). Look, for many of these older villas, it's simply a reality. You might need to pack your patience and coordination skills if mobility is an issue. While the website indicates, "Facilities for disabled guests," I'd strongly recommend contacting Belvilla directly to confirm the specifics before booking. Ask about ramps, elevators (if applicable), and bathroom modifications. Don't take "accessible" as a given.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: Fingers Crossed
This one depends entirely on which villa you end up with. Some have more accessible dining areas than others, but expect a potential dance of navigating some uneven surfaces and maybe some stairs. If accessibility is a must, inquire about the specific layout of your villa beforehand. Otherwise, plan for a bit of effort for meals.
Wheelchair Accessible: Proceed with Caution (and Questions)
As mentioned, this is a tricky one. The rolling hills of Tuscany are stunning, but they're not exactly wheelchair-friendly. Inside the villas, it will depend on the specific villa.
Internet Access: Wi-Fi Woes and Wired Wonders
Ah, the eternal struggle of modern life: internet access.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! They boast. The reality? Sometimes. It can be… spotty. Think Italian romance: beautiful, passionate, but prone to disappearing at inconvenient times. However,
- Internet [LAN]: Thank the gods! A wired connection! In the chaos of trying to upload Instagram-worthy photos of pasta, the LAN connection saved my sanity. It was a lifesaver for work emails and keeping in touch with reality. Though, finding the correct cable might require some Italian-style detective work.
- Internet Services: Okay. Basic. Don't expect high-speed streaming.
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Again, hit or miss. Best to assume you'll be mostly unplugged, and see any connectivity as a bonus.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa-rty Time…Maybe
Forget the humdrum life. It's Tuscany!
- Body scrub & body wrap: didn't try this. Not my jam.
- Fitness center & gym/fitness: Nope. Not here. Embrace the Italian lifestyle: eat, drink, and maybe walk up a hill or two.
- Foot bath: Seems relaxing.
- Massage: Tempted me but I just haven't found the time.
- Pool with view: Yep. Heaven. The pool was a definite highlight – particularly with a glass of Chianti in hand. The views were… chef's kiss. Overlooking those rolling hills? Pure bliss.
- Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: Didn't see any.
- Swimming pool & Swimming pool [outdoor]: The outdoor one? Glorious.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized Dreams?
This is the post-pandemic era, so everyone's on edge. Safety is a top priority:
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check. Phew!
- Breakfast in room: Excellent. The breakfast in our room was a nice touch – fresh pastries, fruit…a proper start to the day!
- Breakfast takeaway service: Handy if you have a day planned in the hills.
- Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Safe dining setup, Safe dining setup, Staff trained in safety protocol: These were really reassuring! Felt like they really care.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Wonderful!
- Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: Peace of mind for sure.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Room sanitization opt-out available, Sterilizing equipment, Shared stationery removed: These precautions give you confidence.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Pasta Paradise (Mostly)
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternatie meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: The dining options are extensive, depending on your villa.
- Bar: One of the highlights!
- Bottle of water: Always welcome.
- Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service: Decent spread.
- Happy hour: Bellissima!
- Room service [24-hour]: Luxury.
- Snack bar: Essential for those afternoon cravings.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- **Air conditioning in public area: YES! Especially during the summer.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments: Standard modern service.
- Facilities for disabled guests: See above.
- Food delivery: Good.
- Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: All the basics.
For the Kids: Family Fun or…A Bit More Effort?
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: The villas are family-friendly, but again, it depends on the specific villa. Check if there are kid-specific amenities (playground, high chair, etc.) before booking.
Access: The Nitty-Gritty
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed All the security stuff and creature comforts.
Available in all rooms: Amenities for the Modern Traveler
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The Verdict: Dicomano Delight…With a Dose of Reality
Escape to Tuscany, Dicomano? It can be idyllic. The views are stunning, the food is (mostly) amazing, and you'll be soaking up the Italian charm. But be prepared for a bit of a wild ride. Do your research. Ask questions. And remember, this isn't a polished, sterile hotel experience. It's a Tuscan adventure. Embrace the wonkiness, the occasional inconvenience, and the magic. And for goodness sake, get yourself a bottle of wine. You deserve it.
Escape to Paradise: Luxurious Forest Getaway in Nieuwleusen, Netherlands
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're heading to… wait for it… Dicomano, Italy. Yes, Dicomano. Where? Exactly! And we're staying at a Belvilla by OYO place called Gallorimpi. Don't worry, I Googled it – looks charming enough, pictures always lie though, don't they? This isn't going to be one of those perfectly curated Instagram travel logs, oh no. This is the real deal. Prepare for a glorious mess.
The Dicomano Debacle – A Stream-of-Consciousness Itinerary (with a Healthy Dose of Sarcasm)
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (aka, Getting There… and Surviving)
- 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM (ish): Wake up. Curse the alarm clock (why do they even exist?). Attempt to pack. Realize I’ve overpacked and haven’t brought the one thing I actually need. Probably my passport. Or wine. Wine is more important, right?
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Travel to the airport, the usual chaotic ballet of stressed-out parents, screaming children, and the sweet, sweet promise of duty-free shopping. Fly to Italy. Pray to the travel gods for no delays and for my luggage to actually arrive with me. I’m already picturing myself in Dicomano, wearing the same crumpled t-shirt for the entire trip. Bliss.
- 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Airport chaos. Locate (hopefully) my luggage. Navigate the car rental hellscape (another story for another day, involves a small, slightly arrogant man and a map apparently written in hieroglyphics). Finally, finally, get the car. Breathe. Realize I have absolutely no idea how to drive in Italy.
- 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM: The drive. The scenic route… the very scenic route. Google Maps tries to kill me at least twice. I am convinced the satnav is actively plotting my demise. We get lost. (Shocking, I know). We see a particularly charming village that we totally passed by but have no time to investigate or we'll be late to the Belvilla.
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: WE ARRIVE! (Cue angels singing). Find the Belvilla – Gallorimpi. Hopefully, it's actually there. Hopefully, the key actually works. Hopeful. I'm feeling very hopeful right now. Unpack (or, more honestly, shove everything somewhere). Survey the damage – or rather, the beauty of the Italian countryside. Wonder if I'm crazy for thinking this was a good idea. Probably.
- 8:00 PM onwards: Dinner. Oh, glorious dinner. Find a local restaurant (or the closest thing to it). It's a MUST. Order anything and everything. I am especially looking forward to the pasta! Consume copious amounts of wine. Attempt to communicate with the locals with my terrible Italian. Fail spectacularly. Laugh. Fall asleep, happy and full.
Day 2: Florence (and the Great Art-Related Breakdown)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Suffer from slight wine-induced head-throb. Curse myself for not drinking enough water (again). Coffee is essential. Then, the glorious moment of facing another day..
- 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Drive to Florence (ugh). The drive will be a lot more easy, well maybe not in actuality.
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Florence. The Uffizi Gallery. This is where it all goes sideways. I love art, I do, really! But let's be real, after about an hour, I’m starting to feel like I'm drowning in Renaissance paintings. It's beautiful, overwhelming, and a little… much. I might need a small (very small) dose of existential dread. I will admire David, I will. Even if it makes me feel inferior in every way.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch in Florence. Find a charming trattoria that’s not completely overrun with tourists. Eat something delicious. Maybe pizza. Always pizza.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: More Florence. Duomo. Climb the stairs (ugh). Take photos. Try to look cultured and like I actually understand what I'm seeing. Fail. Look at shops. Buy something I don't need.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: The drive back. Reflect on the overwhelming glory of Florence. Feel slightly melancholic that I'll never have that level of artistic passion. Or that many shoes.
- 6:00 PM onwards: Dinner. Try to cook (questionable). Fail gloriously and order pizza. Again. Wine. Sleep. Dream of David.
Day 3: Tuscan Towns and Existential Epiphanies (plus a cooking class… maybe?)
- 9:00 AM: Wake up. Decide today is the day to embrace the slow life.
- 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Explore the Tuscan countryside. Find a charming village. Wander around, get lost. Actually, embrace the getting lost.
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch in a tiny trattoria. Eat something local. Maybe try to order something I don't understand. See what happens.
- 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: CONSIDER a cooking class. Maybe. Probably not. I'm not a chef. I'm more of a "throw-some-pasta-in-a-pot-and-hope-for-the-best" kind of person. But I will consider it. If I go, it’ll be a comedy of errors, guaranteed. Embrace the chaos.
- 5:00 PM onwards: Dinner. Wine. Think about the meaning of life. Probably get distracted by how delicious the pasta is. Appreciate the simple things. Like wine. And pasta. Sleep.
Day 4: Relaxation, Reflection, and Regret (but mostly good times)
- 9:00 AM: Wake up. Realize I haven't used the pool (if there is a pool), and feel slightly guilty. Maybe go for a swim (maybe).
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Read a book. Drink coffee. Actually relax. Breathe. Reflect on how amazing it all is, despite the chaos.
- 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch. Maybe a picnic. Maybe I actually make lunch instead of just opening a bag of chips. Who am I kidding? Chips it is.
- 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Wander. Explore more of Dicomano. Find a hidden gem – a little cafe, a gorgeous view, something that makes it all feel real. (The search for perfect will continue)
- 5:00 PM onwards: Farewell dinner. A final, glorious feast. A toast to Italy, to the food, the wine, and the sheer, unadulterated beauty of the place. And to surviving the journey. The memories will remain and I'm sure it will be a life-changing experience.
Day 5: Departure and the Post-Trip Blues
- Wake up: Pack. Cry internally. Curse the fact that the trip is ending.
- Spend the morning: Get lost one last time. Buy souvenirs (the more random, the better). Buy one last bottle of wine.
- Fly home: Say goodbye to Italy and cry.
This, my friends, is the Dicomano debrief. It's messy, it's honest, and it will probably be the best disaster I've ever had. Wish me luck, and if you're reading this… well, hopefully, I’ve made you laugh… or at least feel a little less alone in your own travel chaos. Ciao!
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Bungalow Awaits in Voorthuizen, Netherlands!
So, Belvilla in Dicomano, Tuscany... Is it *really* as idyllic as the brochures make it out to be?
Oh honey, the brochures. They paint a perfectly airbrushed picture, don't they? Let me tell you, *idyllic* is a loaded word. Was it gorgeous? Absolutely. Did I feel like I'd stepped into a postcard? For sure. But… Did I also spend a solid fifteen minutes battling a rogue mosquito the size of a small bird in the middle of the night? Yep. And did I accidentally lock myself out on the balcony at one point, having to yell for help until my husband, bless his weary soul, woke up? You betcha.
So it's idyllic with a healthy dose of "life happens," you know? The views? Stunning. The food? Unbelievably good (especially the pasta – oh, the pasta!). The wine? Don't even get me started. You will never taste supermarket wine the same way again, I promise you that. Just… prepare for a little chaos. Embrace the chaos. It makes the moments of actual, pure beauty that much sweeter. Like the time I watched the sunrise over the rolling hills while sipping espresso. Pure magic. The mosquito bite? Slightly less magical, but still… part of the experience.
What’s the deal with the Belvilla properties themselves? Are they all… well-equipped?
Okay, this is where things get a bit… varied. Belvilla properties are, essentially, vacation rentals. And like any rental situation, you take your chances. I've heard horror stories, I've *lived* some. I'd say the key is to read the reviews. REVIEWS, PEOPLE! Don't skip them. If everyone's complaining about the washing machine leaking or the wifi being slower than a snail in molasses, take heed.
We had a perfectly lovely villa, comfortable and well-stocked, thank goodness. The kitchen was well-equipped… *mostly*. There was a missing corkscrew. A *corkscrew*, people. We ended up improvising with… well, let’s just say it involved a knife, a wall, and a lot of nervous giggling. It worked, eventually, but the wine tasted extra good after the near-disaster. Check for that corkscrew, for the love of everything delicious! And maybe bring your own, just in case. Seriously. You’ll need it.
Dicomano itself… what's there to *do*? Is it all just… looking at hills?
Hills are a perfectly valid activity, let me tell you! Especially when they're covered in vineyards. But yes, Dicomano offers more than just rolling scenery. It’s small, which is part of its charm. You're not going to find a raucous nightlife scene, which, for me, was a massive bonus. I'm all about the quiet life these days.
There’s a little town, charming, with a few good restaurants (hunt down the place that serves the "Bistecca alla Fiorentina" – prepare to be amazed). There are shops selling local produce, and boy, is it good. Fresh pasta, crusty bread, the best olive oil you will ever taste – I’m getting food envy writing this. And of course, there are opportunities for day trips. Florence is within easy reach (though be warned, parking is a nightmare). We explored the Chianti region one day, and got spectacularly lost, which turned into a fabulous adventure. The best experiences are the ones you never plan for. Just… don’t expect a bustling metropolis. Embrace the slow pace. You'll thank yourself later, you will.
Public Transportation - Is it a thing? If so, is it reliable?
Ha! Reliable. That’s a good one. Public transportation is available, yes, but it's… well, let's just say it embodies the “relaxed” pace of life. Buses run, but the schedules might be more of a suggestion than a rigid timetable. If you're relying on public transport, I highly recommend you embrace patience and carry a good book. And maybe a flask of something strong, just in case.
We rented a car. It was essential, in my opinion. Gave us the freedom to explore, get lost (which we did, frequently), and stop whenever we saw a particularly tempting vineyard or a little roadside trattoria. The roads can be… interesting, especially the smaller ones. Get used to tight turns and narrow lanes, and generally, the idea that you're probably going to be driving as much as a local. If you’re not comfortable with driving abroad, think twice, then think about a private driver. But on that note: learn the basics of Italian road signs. You'll thank me later. I speak from experience.
What’s the food *really* like? Because Italian food… it’s a big deal, right?
Oh, the food. Where do I even begin? It’s… life-altering. Seriously. I came back a few pounds heavier, and I have absolutely zero regrets. The pasta… fresh, simple, and bursting with flavor. The tomatoes taste like sunshine. The olive oil makes everything taste better. Everything, I tell you!
We took a cooking class one day. It wasn't the most professional setup (think… a lovely Italian nonna in her kitchen, with a few other eager, and probably slightly clumsy, tourists). We learned to make pasta from scratch. It was… a disaster at first. My pasta, bless its heart, ended up looking a bit like a tangled ball of yarn. But the nonna, she just smiled, patted my hand, and showed me how it was *supposed* to be done. And in the end, even *my* mangled pasta tasted divine. That's the magic of Italian food. It’s about more than just the ingredients; it's about the love, the tradition, the simple pleasure of sharing a meal with others. And the wine. Let's not forget the wine. It paired perfectly with every slightly-less-than-perfect noodle.
Any tips for saving money? Tuscany can be pricey, right?
Tuscany *can* be pricey, yes. Especially if you're not careful (and especially if you’re a wine-o like me). But there are ways to keep your costs down. First, consider grocery shopping. The local markets and smaller shops are often cheaper than the big supermarkets, and the produce is infinitely better. Cook some of your own meals at your villa (assuming, of course, that you have a working kitchen, and a corkscrew!).
Eat lunch at the trattorias frequented by locals. They're usually cheaper than the tourist traps and the food is often more authentic (and, frankly, better). Look for the "menu del giorno" – the daily special. Embrace the simpler things. Picnics with local cheese, bread, and wine are a wonderfully affordable (and romantic) way to enjoy the beauty of Tuscany. And walk! Forget the expensive tours and explore on foot. You'Roaming Hotels
