We had a really lovely week at Al Melo.
We flew in to Pisa and drove up to the house. With a stop in Gallicano to the super market, the journey from the airport is about 1hr45, but what a drive!! The scenery and views all the way up the valley are spectacular. The road up from Camporgiano is hilly and twisty, but it is so worth it. You arrive in Puglianella main square, where Fabio we'll meet you and take you down to the house. The track down is very narrow and steep, so don't hire anything bigger than a VW Golf for a car. Suggest a diesel for all the mountain roads.
The house is very clean and well maintained, and the photos don't do it justice. it is very hard to photograph the view and space around the house. It is just glorious. So private and absolute silence.
The house has everything you would need to self cater, kitchen well stocked, washing machine, iron, dishwasher etc. Nothing is missing or broken.
We used the local supermarket at Camporgiano (10min drive down the hill) for groceries, and is very well stocked.
The bedrooms downstairs are a great size, and stay nice and cool in the summer. You do get the odd scorpion in the house at night, but they are no bigger than 6cm and are very timid and won't hurt you.
We visited several places from here - Lucca (get the train from Camporgiano), Fortress of Verrucole (what a place!!) and you must go and eat at Coletti's, just a 10min drive up the mountain to the next village. 3 course dinner for 4 people was 65euros with drinks and coffees. However, this is not typical for Italy, but the homemade food was just so good!! You must go there.
Fabio and his family were so nice and welcoming, and live in the village in case you need anything. Fabio pops round every couple of days to clean the pool and deliver fresh fruit and veg if there are some spare from his land.
Book it!! You won't be disappointed.