Name: Rentvillas.com
Address: 1697 NW Precision Ln, Bend
Rating: 4.38

“Overall: We enjoyed the fact that we were so close to the historic center of the city. We were able to walk to almost everything we wanted to visit and when we did not walk the subway, taxi stand and bus stop were all nearby. Enjoyed Most: The location. Enjoyed Least: It was not air conditioned so the windows had to be left open allowing in insects and noise from the street. Surrounding Area: Within a block of the apartment there was a grocery store and a number of decent restaurants. It was a little noisy since we had to leave windows open all night. Nearby Events or Locales: Rome is not a small town. Directions: We were met at the airport by a car and driver and I would recommend this highly. Once at the apartment a vehicle is not only unnecessary, but a problem.”

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(Claudius) - Posted 12 years ago

“Overall: Very convenient and would recommend to anyone wanting to stay in town. Enjoyed Most: Very good location. Can walk to Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio in 10 minutes. The veranda and high ceilings gave this apartment a very roomy feeling. Enjoyed Least: The second bedroom was more of an office/TV room with a bed. Surrounding Area: Close proximity to places to eat and things to see. Check In Out: The owner was very pleasant and helpful”

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(Chiara) - Posted 19 years ago

“Overall: This was our second time here. Last year, the weather was great, so we virtually lived outside, which is the best part of this property. This year, it was quite cool, even cold in the evenings. The inside is rather dark, and it was cold. When we were able to find the house manager and get wood for a fire, that helped a lot. Enjoyed Most: The outside terraces, pool, view and seclusion. Enjoyed Least: The dark, small living room. Editor's Note: The owner will purchase new lights/lamps for the living room. Surrounding Area: We love the town of Radda. This year we did far less exploring of distant towns and spent several delightful days in Radda. Nearby Events or Locales: Lecchi is nearest, but there is almost nothing there. It is far to long to walk. Tips or Restaurants: I wish there were basics provided, like toilet paper, paper towels, etc. We knew this time to stop first in Radda to get everything we needed. Directions: We remembered from our trip last year. It's hard to find. last year we had to ask a neighbor. Check In Out: Check in and check out were fine. We had to leave two days early, and the house manager speaks no English. Fortunately, when we arrived, we had cell access (which occurs less than half the time). I was able to get Google Translate to tell him the day we had to leave.”

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(Chiantigiana Minore) - Posted 11 years ago

“Enjoyed Most: The overall layout of the property and the gardens. Surrounding Area: The area and surrounding villages are beautiful. The wineries, chateaux and local markets are perfect excursions. Special Experiences: We had two fantastic meals prepared by Chef Jackie! Check In Out: The property manager was kind and helpful.”

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(Chateau De Valerie With Coach House) - Posted 8 years ago

“Overall: We had a superb week with everyone mixing marvellously. Enjoyed Most: The situation is magnificent. The opportunity to either do things cycling, tennis, table tennis, swim or just relax. Enjoyed Least: The cook top was difficult. We ate in most of the time and did overcome it but the gas part of it is difficult. Also, it is sad that the 3 upper bedrooms have a shower room between 3 bedrooms. You need to watch the plumbing as taps can come off in your hand. Surrounding Area: The 2 rivers, the Loire and the Vienne are really nice. The towns of Chinon and Saumur are also lovely to walk around. Nearby Events or Locales: There is Beamont but it is not really a town. The nearest town is Chinon which is 10 minutes by car. Tips or Restaurants: There are many restaurants and French food is justifiably regarded as the best. The supermarkets are well stocked and cover most things you need.”

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(Chateau De Valerie) - Posted 17 years ago

“Overall: Overall our group of twelve had a wonderful time at Chateau de Chance. Our part of the group flew into Toulouse airport via Heathrow and the drive to Aragon was extremely manageable less than an hour. My brothers and their families flew in to Carcassonne Airport which is about a 10 minute drive. The chateau has a charm about it and it does feel like a very unique place to stay. The bedrooms were generally spacious, with every one being a little different. The property offers a nice mix of old world feel with some nice improvements. Enjoyed Most: The first view of Aragon as you come round a corner is special but what I liked most is that this is a very unique property, different from most of the properties that we considered - a medieval chateau, set in a row of houses. You feel like you are entering a secret world when you enter the front door. Our experience with Chef Peter at the chateau was wonderful and visitors to the chateau should consider using his services if possible - not cheap but well worth it and comparable to going out on the town. Enjoyed Least: I must agree with some of the other comments about the furniture. I do think that the living room would benefit from an upgrade - the furniture is not particularly comfortable and there doesn't seem to be a sense of 'central design' to the large room. Much of the outdoor furniture is suffering from wear and tear, particularly the chaise lounges and the chairs. Somehow the pool looked bigger in the photos but it is a great addition to the property, especially on the hottest of summer days. The kids loved it despite our unseasonably cool weather. It provides a nice centerpiece for the garden. Perhaps a few more pool towels would be nice. Editor's Note: The owners have had the outside furniture repaired. August 2010 Surrounding Area: Aragon is a quaint, hilly, little, historic village that is well worth a walk abound. As mentioned, it has very few amenities, but offers a lot of photo opportunities. The major attraction of the surrounding area is Carcassonne's walled medieval city La Cite. It is about 8 miles from Aragon if you drive the most direct route from Aragon, following the signs to Carcassonne and then for La Cite. However for a more breath-taking first impression of this walled medieval city, I would suggest that you enter Carcassonne from its southern approach, the motorway side. Nearby Events or Locales: Not really. Aragon had some very basic amenities as described in the information package so that was no surprise. The nearest functional small town was Pennautier about 4-5 miles away - definitely not walkable. There are some village amenities - bar, boulangerie, tabac, fine restaurant and wine tasting at the chateau. On the outskirts of Pennautier, on the route to Carcassonne, there were all of the mall-type amenities that you would expect to find in a large town - supermarkets, gas stations, fast food, etc. Tips or Restaurants: La Bergerie has received many well-deserved recommendations. The couple that own the place have made it a true foodie destination. They have some extraordinary items on the menu and it remains reasonably priced. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of our lunch at the Chateau Pennautier. Their menu offered a good selection of reasonably prices dishes and a good wine selection, much of it local. Their wait staff very knowledgeable, could explain menu items in mouth watering detail and all in very good English sad to admit, a necessity for our group. The facility also has a wine tasting room and shop. Their wines are very good and very affordable. Directions: Instructions were generally good. Some of us got a little turned around but realised it by the next roundabout - obviously directions are harder to follow in the dark! The proximity to La Bergerie is definitely the main thing to emphasise. I didn't try GPS coordinates but I did have a Google Map Satellite photo that gave a good sense of where the property was.”

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(Chateau De Chance) - Posted 14 years ago

“Enjoyed Most: The extensive grounds were wonderful for children to play. The bicycles were a good addition. Enjoyed Least: Some of the mattresses were small and lumpy. Surrounding Area: Beautiful countryside with easy access to Valognes, and two good restaurants were only a five-minute walk away. Nearby Events or Locales: Valognes was about five minutes by car and offered everything necessary for stocking the Chateau. Tips or Restaurants: The best restaurant finds were in St. Vaast on the coast about 20 minutes away. The oysters were outstanding and the seafood in general was great.”

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(Chateau Cherbourg) - Posted 20 years ago

“Overall: Good. Great spot. Enjoyed Most: Uniqueness, history, view, close proximity to Girona. The chef was outstanding. Enjoyed Least: There is a chained dog that barks next door. The owner reported that the city has been petitioned to do something about the situation. Surrounding Area: The area around Girona is extraordinary for cycling. Nearby Events or Locales: Easy walk into Celra to the market, baker. Celra is not the most attractive town. Getting into Girona was much better. Tips or Restaurants: Nothing specific, the area is full of great restaurants. Directions: It is an odd location and doesn't appear on all GPS systems ...ours took us the wrong way.... perhaps a map would be helpful. Check In Out: Check in and check out were fine.”

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(Castillo Girona) - Posted 9 years ago

“Overall: Overall, everyone had a fantastic time. The area was spectacular, the accommodations were good, and the owners and caretakers very accommodating. Enjoyed Most: The view was spectacular. It really did not get any more relaxing than sitting poolside every evening and enjoying cocktails and appetizers. For an old castle somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 years old, the bedrooms were well maintained. However, people looking for luxury and new age convenience should take heed: the place shows its age in places. Enjoyed Least: The showers in the bathrooms in most cases were inadequate by American standards. Often just a hose attached to a shower head... very small and cramped. And hot water was at a premium. Some guests may find the fact that the caretaker lives on site to be discomforting, but he was quiet and only appeared on request. Also, he was very helpful providing things we were missing. Particularly on the weekend, as the castle apparently has some historical significance, our stay was interrupted by people wandering on to the property to take photos of the castle, not realizing it was private property. Surrounding Area: The view was spectacular, the people were friendly, the prices very reasonable, and the food was excellent. Siena, Lucignano, Monte San Savino, Montepulciano were all a short driving distance away. Nearby Events or Locales: Ciggiano is literally fifty feet from the gate. But there is nothing there. Monte San Savino is the closest town with services 3.5 miles away - and a 45-minute walk to the Post Office/Bank/Supermarket/Gelateria. 5 miles from the Old Walled Town. Tips or Restaurants: 1. A word of warning the driveway is dirt and stone, and extremely steep. I would not recommend having a manual transmission if you are a novice. It is extremely difficult to navigate. 2. La Terrase was an excellent restaurant, but really you could not go wrong anywhere. 3. Most EVERYTHING is closed on Sunday, so Saturday arrivals should stock up at the supermarket. Directions: Directions were adequate but required a leap of faith in that the directions specify something to the effect of "get off the exit,go left, and past the first light follow the sign to Albergo..." The problem is, that first light does not come up for quite some time, maybe five minutes of driving through neighborhoods, causing one to second guess themselves a bit. Check In Out: Caretaker was at the house when we arrived and provided a tour of the facilities. Owners were very friendly and accommodating. Checkout was a breeze.”

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(Castello San Savino) - Posted 15 years ago

“Overall: Very pleasant. Located in the Colli Euganei region of Italy, near Padua, a wine producing region. Enjoyed Most: The property has an indoor pool with spa jets. The property produces 6 types of wine and there's a small cafe that serves wine and cheese. The property has an interesting old history. Enjoyed Least: I had to go through the adjoining bedroom to reach the bathroom. Surrounding Area: The area is close to Venice and Padua. Ravenna and Verona are also fairly close by. The area has a very rural flavor, with many vineyards. There are also castles, spas, and Petrarch's house nearby. Nearby Events or Locales: Terme Battaglia, Monselice, and Arqua Petrarca were the nearest towns. They weren't within an easy walking distance, but there were some bikes available. Tips or Restaurants: Bring your own soap. We found that none of the places we stayed at in Italy provided a bar of soap.We found a couple of good restaurants in the Montecelli - Arqua Petrarca area. This area is hilly and the streets are narrow, however. Directions: We did not use a GPS. Only maps. A GPS would be especially helpful since large maps often don't show small roads. Check In Out: We arrived late and Mara was able to accommodate us.”

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(Castello Ricco - Reale) - Posted 10 years ago

“Overall: Very good. The staff at the castello are very helpful and kind. Enjoyed Most: The peace and the area. Surrounding Area: It was quiet and not far from Venice and Verona. Check In Out: We had some difficulties with the check-in because at first nobody was there!”

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(Castello Ricco - Gli Ulivi) - Posted 13 years ago

“Overall: Very nice indeed. Enjoyed Most: The place itself, beautiful. Surrounding Area: The towns and villages within little driving distance. Tips or Restaurants: Just rent a car to drive around, or better still, have a driver so you can enjoy the wine of the region.”

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(Castello Granduca) - Posted 14 years ago

“Overall: The property is amazing, in the country (2 adorable small towns less than 5 km in either direction) on the other side of the mountains from Tuscany. Less traveled, less touristy, great quiet getaway in the real Italy. My wife insisted we were not in the right place, because it could not be a castle we are staying in! Her family originally came from Cagli, so a very wonderful experience for her. Several times she ordered a drink or dish that was supposed to be local, and then broke into tears when she tasted... just like the special food and drink she had growing up! Enjoyed Most: Rooms are filled with antiques, and the gardens are amazing it feels like your are staying in a castle. It is really 4 apartments in a very large house, that was remodeled to look like a castle over a hundred years ago. Excellent for 2 couples (as we were) or a small family in one apartment a larger family can rent out up to four apartments looking for a little space for each group. Lovely gravel courtyard in front with tables and chairs for group gatherings. You could also move tables and chairs up into the gardens for big meals out doors. They are talking about building a pool, so hope it is done the next time we go back (for sure!). Enjoyed Least: Maybe the kitchen, not many supplies and small but very standard for European homes, so this is more just to prepare you! If you want American stay in a big hotel in Florence. Surrounding Area: Location and access to many places in central Italy. Fano and Perugia are very close, and it is a day trip if you want to struggle with the crowds in Tuscany. There is a Monastery nearby that is very old, Hermitage of Fonte Avellana. The fort in Cagli is supposed to have sculptures it was not open the few times we checked, but we were off season. I am sure if we had spent a little time in the square, we would have found the person with the key! We did see a couple museums in nearby towns in Google Maps, but did not make it. Nearby Events or Locales: Smirra was once a town itself, and is right outside your gate. It is really a 'suburb' of Cagli 5km to the south and the address is actually Cagli. The home of Truffles in Italy is 5km North in Acqualagna. Cagli and Aqualagna have excellent restaurants and groceries at a store called Conad in Cagli also a Eurospin a little higher end and a little harder to find. Tips or Restaurants: The Bar Turismo Snc Di Magnoni Romolo Falconi Iride in Cagli and the Osteria Del Parco Di Samuele Ferri in Aqalagna are both a must and the bars and gelato shops in the square of Cagli were all very good! Both are only open noon-3pm or after 7pm (and no-one shows up until 8...). Try any place that looks interesting they are small towns with few tourists they would not survive if they had bad service or quality. We asked for the owner to hire us a chef to teach us how to cook Italian and we made home-made pasta so much fun and enough pasta for 3 meals! The Conad grocery store is on your right, just before you get to into old town Cagli, not open very late so check the hours. Directions: No improvements. You must really use a GPS to get around in small towns in Italy, but the Villa was VERY easy to find, right on the main road, just look for the the top of a castle from the square in Smirra! Call the manager before you get there so she can meet you. The back gate (actually a huge wooden door) is just off the main square and always locked, but the manager is a block away, and you will only use it when you check in. The main entrance (which opens to a long tree lined drive in a huge garden!) is down the road a ways and on a remote control, which they have several of once you check in. Check In Out: Make sure you call one of the managers as you get near Smirra, or from the back gate since she lives up the street. We did not call but luckily knocked on the right door! We were there off-season and the owners drove up from Rome, so we had a nice tour and history of the property. The owners spoke English very well, managers not as much (as in all of the area, so brush up on your travelers Italian), but we always figured out what we needed and were very eager to please, then left us to ourselves. You can call their cell or the phone in the villa with button marked 'reception'.”

Helpful Report

(Castello Flaminia - San Federico) - Posted 10 years ago

“Overall: I'd return tomorrow and stay a month, if I could. Wish we had had more time to visit with our hosts and just to hang out. A thoroughly memorable vacation. Enjoyed Most: Very clean, charming property. Fresh, wonderfully scented country air. Expansive views of the Tuscan hills. The owners were an extremely helpful, welcoming, English couple with great knowledge of the area, restaurants, regional wines. He does wine tours... and works very hard, unobtrusively, to see that your stay with them is a good one. Didn't want to leave, and tried to book a second week on the spot. Would have been satisfied to spend the entire time at the property, without leaving the property. Enjoyed Least: Two drawbacks, in our minds 1. Very long, rough driveway, but worth the daily trip 2. Would have liked a larger supply of hot water for showers. Present system works on demand, but gave just enough water for one shower, then required a recycle period. (Note from owner: a new hot water system has just been installed, and the road has been improved - November 2005.) Surrounding Area: Pretty much everything. The town of Londa is textbook Tuscan, small, parochial, with two nice restaurants serving local dishes. Grocery shopping in the village, reasonably accessible to Florence and Chianti, without the bustle. Florence is a bit busy, expectedly, but a miracle not to be missed. On and on and on. Nearby Events or Locales: Londa. A lovely Tuscan village. Everyone should stay a week in a Londa, just to feel how village life works. Very friendly, helpful people who seemed to enjoy having us around. Would be an enjoyable, if somewhat long, walk to the village. The walk back, 5km, 4 decidedly uphill, would be a bit much for the average American. The owner's 90 year-old father walks to the village when he visits, then accepts a ride back up to the property. Tips or Restaurants: Bring a good camera and lots of film memory. There's a nice library at the house. All required common kitchen gadgets are provided, but there's no nutmeg-squeezer or fish-juicer. A good map is helpful. Tuscan houses are kept at lower temperatures than American ones, primarily due to high utility costs. It was cool inside in May. Bring something warm and comfortable to wear. Plan on being tired on arrival...I'd advise taking it easy and enjoying the property the first day...worked for us. Oh, yes. We weren't prepared for the lack of salt in Tuscan bread...it seemed bland at first. If you like salt, ask for pane salteado...it's got a little more salt in it, but still below what we're used to. Check In Out: Handshakes and fond farewells.”

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(Casale Olmo) - Posted 20 years ago

“Overall: Very enjoyable. It was our first time in Tuscany so we now understand the attraction. It was a welcome relief from the cities. Enjoyed Most: It's size, location, and solitude. The pool was also a great bonus for relaxing after our mornings out. Enjoyed Least: Wasps (can't do much about those) and the heat in the upstairs bedrooms (the A/C worked as best it could). The pillows were a bit lumpy. The TV didn't work in the main living room, but we didn't need it anyway. Nearby Events or Locales: Tavernelle is a 5 minute drive. It was very handy, especially the up-market Supermarket IN-COOP. Tips or Restaurants: It would be good to have a gas-fueled BBQ as we are Australians and chopping wood was not our thing. Directions: We came from Pisa rather than Rome so had to read the directions in reverse. Once we left the main road to Tavernelle we had to ask for directions. In the middle of the day it was OK, but at night it would be challenging. Check In Out: Gloria was very friendly and helpful.”

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(Casale Lucia 8) - Posted 13 years ago

“Overall: We enjoyed our stay very much. The location for day trips is great. The property was very well-maintained, the pool was very nice, and the apartment worked very well for us. Staff persons were very responsive. Enjoyed Most: Great location, nice views, good-sized bedrooms. Enjoyed Least: Were able to hear traffic sounds from highway at night. Surrounding Area: It's Tuscany. Nearby Events or Locales: Tavarnelle Val di Pesa; it's not walkable. Tips or Restaurants: La Fattoria is a restaurant nearby. We enjoyed it very much (two nights there, takeaway another night).”

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(Casale Lucia 7) - Posted 11 years ago

“Overall: It was just so quiet and serene--just like something out of an Italian storybook. The location is beautiful, quiet, and all by itself on a hilltop overlooking olive trees and vineyards. Just made you want to stop and take it all in and we did. Sat by the pool with wine we bought at a local vineyard, bought some cheese and crackers, and gazed at our surroundings. Highly recommend! Enjoyed Most: The location, quietness, and the wonderful service we received from Patricia, the estate manager. She was just wonderful. So friiendly to us. We were late getting there and could not find the place (we were right down the road) and she sent someone out to find us and bring us to the villa. The next morning she showed up with coffee, cream, and fresh made croissants as we did not have time to make it to the market before we got there. Certainly made our day! Enjoyed Least: Only thing was the screens would not close all the way down. Surrounding Area: The beauty of the hills and all the towns we visited. Easy driving. We were there for a week and went to Florence, Greve, stopped in Panzano for a wine tasting in the center of town. Bought a glass and tasted about 25 different wines. Next went to Castallina in Chiant and then San Donato for a incredible dinner. Went to Siena and just hung out at our villa in the yard or down by the pool. Very relaxing! Nearby Events or Locales: Romita and Tavernelle. We went several times and had dinner at local cafes and trattorias. People were so friendly and gave us great info on where to go around the area. Tips or Restaurants: The restaurant at the bottom of the hill for sure--superb! La Fattoria. Went twice.There is a Coop market in Tavarnelle where you can get everything you need. Directions: We did have a GPS--which was excellent.”

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(Casale Lucia 6) - Posted 12 years ago

“Overall: Very good. Enjoyed Most: Superbly maintained. Presented with excellent views. Funny enough we had the best WiFi reception of any where we had traveled in Europe. Enjoyed Least: Access. Two kilometres of dirt road. Surrounding Area: What's not to like in Tuscany. We were in close proximity to Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Greve, etc. All were terrific. Nearby Events or Locales: Tavarnelle was about 23 km distant by dirt road. You would need to be a keen hiker prepared to get very dusty if you wanted to walk. Tips or Restaurants: Tavarnelle had few restaurants. If you want a late afternoon drink you best buy the makings from the COOP and take it home. Borgo Antico (Antico Pieve boutique hotel) has an excellent restaurant and hosts. Book early. Directions: GPS is essential. Roads in Tuscany are narrow. Check In Out: The staff person at reservation was delightful and most helpful and obliging. No complaint with either check in or out.”

Helpful Report

(Casale Lucia 2) - Posted 11 years ago

“Overall: Overall we loved the villa, particularly the outdoor area and pool. The view was absolutely beautiful - olive groves, vineyards and hills, and the staff were friendly and helpful. In addition, the location was good. Enjoyed Most: The outdoor area and pool were fantastic, the beds were very comfortable, the bathrooms were great, and the kitchen was modern and functional. In addition, the staff were friendly and helpful. Enjoyed Least: There was an unpleasant odor particularly in the TV area and middle bedroom. In addition, the windows were very small and some didn't have screens, so it was difficult to get airflow. Surrounding Area: Stunning scenery, easily accessible grocery store, and a fantastic restaurant very close by. In addition, the villa was centrally located so day-trips to surrounding centers worked out well. Nearby Events or Locales: Romita - it was a very small village. It was probably within walking distance. Tavernelle was larger and had a grocery store but it wasn't within walking distance. Tips or Restaurants: I think the villa was fairly well-equipped. However, you do need to supply your own laundry soap, dishwasher soap, and salt and pepper. Directions: We didn't use a GPS and we were fine. The directions were fairly straight forward and easy to follow.”

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(Casale Lucia 1) - Posted 14 years ago

“Overall: Very relaxing, very restful and love the pool! Enjoyed Most: Quiet, secluded, but with lots of amenities! Enjoyed Least: The roads to get there and the directions. Surrounding Area: It is so beautiful! Nearby Events or Locales: No town is really near the villa. We had to drive back to the other side of Cortona to shop for groceries. Cortona itself was very touristy, but there are wonderful places to eat all around the area, and once at the villa with groceries, it was great! Tips or Restaurants: Be sure to stop for groceries in Camucia on the way in! Restaurants that you pass on the way are all good! Directions: GPS didn't really help. Once you go up to Cortona, follow signs to Torreone and Portele which takes you around Cortona, with the city wall on the right. Go to Torreone where the road turns to the left--follow it, but there Portele is not on that sign; go that way anyway! The roads are VERY narrow and people drive way too fast and down the middle of the road. Check In Out: Check in and out was no problem at all!”

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(Casa Viola) - Posted 8 years ago

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