Porta San Donato
These are portions of comments from the guestbook in the house. For official reviews submitted directly to travel sites, please check out www.homeaway.com, www.flipkey.com, www.slowtrav.com, and www.tripadvisor.com. You can find links on the Reviews page.
"Hi Elaine, after a few hiccups with trains from Rome, we arrived at this perfect accommodation that became our home in Italy. What a great hostess you are with everything here; we lacked nothing. From here we did some driving, like to Gubbio, Siena, Florence, Ancona, San Marino, Orvieto, Spoleto, and Lake Trasimeno (Castiglione del Lago). Our favorites were Spoleto, Gubbio and Castiglione del Lago. I have lots of photos of here, (fat) calories from the good food, and fantastic memories of a once in a lifetime experience. I thank you for making it possible."
Maree, Mick and Greta, Brisbane, Australia, August 2011
"Hi Elaine, my, what a nice stay we all had! The house was fantastic – looking out the kitchen window was like looking at a painting each morning; with characters drifting in and out unfolding an authentic Italian day. Prior to our stay in Gualdo Tadino we had spent time in Rome and in a small villa on the outskirts of Cagli. Coming to Gualdo provided a nice contrast to the metropolitan and country experiences to the other locales. it was very nice to exit the door and be so close to all amenities but without the crowds of Rome.
"All in all we had a great time and it was particularly nice to come back to such a nice flat to put the feet up, unwind and reflect on the day."
Lauraine and Ron, Glen Ridge, NJ, and Jan, Scotland, August 2011
"Hi Elaine – we had a wonderful time and thank you for everything. A charming apartment! Everyone was so friendly! What a terrific gateway into Umbria is Porta San Donato! Seemingly small on the outside, but big in space and heart on the inside. We end this trip to Italy here at your pied a terre in Gualdo Tadino after Rome, Tuscany, Lerici, and Venice. Our 10 year old daughter walked inside and in moments proclaimed this her favorite place to stay in all Italy. It seemed miraculous, but your directions here were spot on! Maria was an enthusiastic and warm welcomer, and Maria and her family helped me find two wonderful restaurants that made safe gluten-free meals for me – one in Gubbio and the Baccus right here in town."
Bob and Jo, Williamsburg, VA, August 2011
"Just walking inside clearly conveyed to us to make this our home. This morning we drove to the top of the mount towering out the front window – Val di Sorda. The water at the spring Rocchetta is too pure to believe and made our daily sight-seeing that much better. Each evening’s passeggiata was a treat with all the local girls scoping out our 16 year old son. A dance recital one night, a band another, and a wild wedding party with fireworks at the castle. Hostaria is great! Food, owner and staff respectively tasty and enthusiastic. We will sing Porta San Donato’s praises to friends and family - and look forward to our own return."
Arlene and family, Guelph, Canada, July 2011
"After traveling up and down Italy by train, bus, and ferry the past couple of months, we found Porta San Donato a great place to chill out for a few days. The folders with information and instructions were very helpful. The welcome basket was delightful and the house was spotless and well stocked – lots of interesting books to read, videos to watch, games to play (a first for us!) and all the cooking utensils and staples to prepare meals. We took the bus to nearby Gubbio one day, otherwise we were happy to stay put in Gualdo Tadino. Paolo was especially helpful and went out of his way to please us. We feel fortunate to have won our stay here on a bid for charity and it is an added bonus to know that our rent is going to two great causes. Thank you Elaine for your generosity!" Ruth and Allan, Ottawa, Canada, July 2011
"We enjoyed our visit very much. We have stayed in Cortona, Orvieto, Florence, Lucca, and a town so small, Monticiano. Gualdo Tadino has been, for us, a unique and lovely place to stay. We learned how to get around – even without a car, though that makes some things tricky. The people here are soooo friendly. We have never been disappointed by the courteousness of Italians. In GT, people seem to reach out more and actually notice that we are here – always a 'buon giorno' or 'buona sera'. The town seems to be the least touristy and the most friendly of all our experiences. We will miss Gualdo Tadino and Porta San Donato. We hope to return some day."
Mary Cae and Leonard, Lancaster PA , June – July 2011
"Dearest Elaine, it is my last night here and I am so sad to leave. I would love to spend at least a month here and bond with the locals and search out more local sights. The grocery family (up the steps and to the left about 1 ½ blocks on the corner) were SO NICE! and put up with our pidgen Italian. Great produce, cheese, meat… Ask for “locale” along with anything you need for Elaine’s great kitchen. Thanks for the great equipment… pans… utensils… not to mention pantry and basket of goodies/wine on arrival. Maria and her daughter Caterina couldn’t have been nicer.
"Elaine, I LOVE this place! The décor is GREAT – artwork, dishes, pillows, curtains, clocks, sculptures. And so functional. All European washer/dryers are mysterious to me though…are they never ending cycles???? Even English instructions were gibberish to me. Sorry – only complaint! Though did get clothes clean with manual cycles.
"We stayed in Villefranche-sur-mer, Belledec-sur-mer, Cinque Terre, and this is our favorite. Hope to make it back, great memories with my 3 kids, Karl 22, Kelsey, 18, Tessa 15… for our great European family vacation which took a year planning. So glad I saw your place on the net. And thanks for very detailed instructions for arrival and booklets here for info on PSD and area sights."
Mary
"Dear Elaine and Maria, I absolutely loved staying here!! It felt like a second home. We’ve had the pleasure of enjoying your movies, books, and beautiful home. And can you believe we watched 13 movies in the course of 8 days! (They were all wonderful.) But we also saw many beautiful towns including Volterra, Assisi, and Gubbio. I love the castle-looking houses. The people here are so friendly. Maria continued to make me feel welcome from the moment I met her.
"My mom loves how you are very detailed to help our stay run smoothly. The house is very gorgeous and I love all of the cute accessories that make it feel like home. Thank you so much for letting us stay."
love, Tessa (age 15)
Lees Summit, Missouri, June 2011
"Dear Elaine, we have had a wonderful time enjoying Porta San Donato. It is so comfortable, and your instructions and helpful hints are great. Maria is so friendly but not intrusive. The recommendations for Hostaria da Baccus were spot on. On our second trip they corrected an 11 euro overcharge I hadn't understood, so I hadn't even realized it was an error! We visited Montefalco, Assisi, Perugia, Fano, and also the coast. I feel as if we enjoyed new sights but also relaxed. Our introduction to Umbria was perfect."
Mary and Sam, Waterford, Connecticut, May 2011
"Mille grazie, Elaine. What a warm and cozy place Porta San Donato is. We enjoyed being just a tiny piece of 800 years of history. Gualdo Tadino was a perfect launching pad for trips to Gubbio, Spello, Assisi, for Calendimaggio, and even Fano. We must have visited 20 little hill towns and taken 1000 photos. Maria was helpful and charming. Peg asked me to compliment you on your decorating, which she said was 'Bella!'"
Tom (and Peg), Indianapolis, Indiana, May 2011
"Thank you for the welcome basket - food and wine. We had a memorable Easter dinner at Hostaria da Baccus. We visited all of the churches in town and are in awe of the art and the statues. What an unforgettable trip to Gualdo Tadino. It was great to visit Gubbio and Assisi as well. The apartment is nicely renovated and we enjoyed walking to town every day. You have done a great job with books and maps to help the travelers. Bless you. "
Ed and Gail, Eagle River, Alaska, April 2011
"We're huddled around the fire in the bar in the piazza, where everyone is trying to keep warm. 'Freddo, freddo!' is the greeting of the day. Despite the freezing temperatures we've been extremely cozy in Porta San Donato, expecially in the evenings watching DVDs
while snuggled up under a blanket on the comfortable sofa. Loved being in a small, out-of-the-way town - we finally worked out the one-way system! Thanks for the use of your lovely place - we certainly plan to return some day soon. Wish we could stay longer."
(the following was sent later in an email to Elaine)
"The grocery store on the corner up the road from your place was a treat, although once we'd discovered the Baccus restaurant all thoughts of cooking went out the window. A fantastic place, great food, and incredibly lively on a Saturday night! Likewise the bar in the main square - a cozy place to hang out during the rain. It was quite chilly while we were there, but lots of sun showed off the surrounding landscape to advantage. We particularly enjoyed trips to Gubbio and Spello, and took the train from Assisi to visit Florence for a couple of days. Lots of chances to practice our halting Italian everywhere we went. It was a great experience to live in a small town in such a lovely, comfortable apartment and we thank you for the opportunity to do so. We hope we'll have the chance to go back again some time."
Ann & David, Montreal, Canada, February 2011
"As I sit here by the warmth of the fireplace I can't help but wonder how many souls and steps have gone up and down these staircases. Thank you for sharing this historic home with us and others who have come before us. Porta San Donato is so cozy and comfortable. For an almost 800 year old structure, to have the modern conveniences just leaves us in awe! We enjoyed our stay here very much and certainly hope to return someday soon. The people in Gualdo have been very kind, helpful, and friendly. To just meld into the lifestyle here has been very relaxing. The town is so quiet and peaceful. We will certainly cherish our time here and will tell our friends about Porta San Donato
as a must to visit if they come to Italy."
Becky and family, El Dorado Hills, California, USA , January 2011
"Buon Natale! What a wonderful place to be on Christmas. We were hoping for snow but we hear maybe tomorrow. The gatehouse worked out perfect and the kids enjoyed having their own room away from us. The town is exactly what we expected and the people couldn't be nicer. Even though it's been raining we did get a chance to go to Assisi and some of the other smaller towns around. The kids got a kick out of driving the streets here because they are so narrow. To us this is true Italy and we are glad our children were able to experience it. We love the house and the town of Gualdo!! Thank you so much for making it a home away from home. We look forward to coming back one day and we can't wait to share our pictures and our experience with our friends and family."
Sue, Tony, Nicole, Ryan, El Dorado Hills, California, USA, Christmas 2010
"We really enjoyed staying here. It felt really comfortable, warm and cozy even though it was freezing outside. Wish we had another two weeks."
Jennifer and Neil, Rellingen, Australia, December 2010
"What an inviting place to stay while traveling through Umbria and Tuscany. Gualdo T. is a charming village - the townspeople are so friendly and helpful. Thanks for letting us borrow your casa."
Renee, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, November 2010
"We found the gatehouse unique. A cozy social home... a nice alternative to the hotel rooms we had become used to. Porta San Donato was a great base for all our day trips
with all the amenities close by."
Bryan and Sandy, Brisbane, Australia, November 2010
"Came by car from Perugia - scenic drive through mountains. Your clear directions made it easy to find Porta San Donato. Maria welcomed us warmly and gave us a tour of the house. Loved all the ceramics and cozy rooms. Very comfortable - well-stocked with linens, toiletries, and staples (seasonings, cutlery, plates). Heating was a bonus, as it was getting cold. Gualdo Tadino - great position for seeing the beauty of Umbria. Supermarket/fruit near the gatehouse was the best. Very well stocked. The welcome basket was a nice touch. We enjoyed the pasta and wine!"
Peter and Julie-Anne, Brisbane, Australia, November 2010
"Grazie, for we had a great time touring 'The Green Heart of Italy'! Thanks to Maria for her friendly assistance. We enjoyed the people at the market around the corner."
Carmen and Claire, Old Orchard Beach, Maine, October 2010
"Coming to Italy has been the most exciting vacation of our lives. We fell in love with Gualdo Tadino - everywhere you look is a subject for a great picture. Beautiful architecture, friendly people, and the pageantry of the games - what more could we want? The architecture was amazing, considering the time passed. Every corner we turned brought another discovery. The market was fantastic - the fruits and vegetables, the fresh cheeses, and the prices were very reasonable. The shopkeepers were friendly, especially the wonderful people who put up with our bad Italian and smiled. Paolo the optician was understanding and gracious and went out of his way to help us. We would love to return here again...perhaps after we retire. If not, suffice to say we are very grateful to have had a chance to participate in a centuries old tradition of the games and enjoy the warm hospitality of the people. Thank you, Elaine!"
Millie and Ken, Colleen and Bob, North Kingstown, RI, September 2010
"The decor of Porta San Donato was very attractive, especially the large round table in the kitchen. The appliances were functioning; the terra cotta tiles were charming. The people of Gualdo are very helpful and generous. Finding the neighborhood store was easy, the staff enjoyable. Gualdo is something like heaven. We saw some of the preparations for the upcoming festival, i.e. archery, slingshots, donkey races. Silks were unfurled and raised. The piazza was filled with two weddings, some rain was falling, yet the enduring love, goodness, kindness will make many rainbows for all abiding."
Louis and Judy, Beachwood, NJ, September 2010
"We have enjoyed our stay at Porta San Donato very much. The house is very comfortable and has been an excellent base for our day trips. We love Gualdo Tadino - especially the friendly grocery store at the top of the hill - it's like an Aladdin's cave!
Thank you for the welcome basket, and all the other little touches were much appreciated.
Thanks too to Maria and her lovely daughter for being so welcoming. For a family of history fans it was wonderful to stay in a medieval gatehouse. We will certainly recommend your lovely house."
Susan and family, Cherry Willingham, Lincoln, England, August 2010
"I have enjoyed watching the streets. One of my favorite evenings was July 25 when the town hung blue streamers across the town square and rolled out a red carpet (really!) for an evening of food and speeches. We never quite figured out what it meant exactly. But I believe it celebrated the beautiful lustrous pottery that is made here. My favorite spot in this gatehouse is the living room window with the view of the mountain. I spent numerous hours perched on the marble sill reading or just staring out the window.
I pray I will return some day. With many thanks!"
Ronnie. Schwenksville PA, USA, July 2010
"Our stay far surpassed my expectations. I truly cannot imagine a more authentic Italian experience. Gualdo Tadino was a perfect home base for our travels and the daily sounds of the roosters crowing, bells tolling, dogs barking and Italians conversing were all so quaint and comforting. We had the fortune of a nesting pigeon on the hallway window ledge (no chicks yet!) Thank you for sharing your home with us."
Cheri
"Gualdo Tadino was our sanctuary in traveling Italy. The people, the house, the surroundings, gave us a sense of being at home away from home. Everywhere else, we were tourists. This place is definitely more beautiful than we could have pictured. It was a perfect home from which to explore on day trips. Of Rome, Florence, and the Cinque Terre, Gualdo Tadino was the most authentic experience of Italia."
Tim
River Falls, WI. June 2010
"Elaine, with Maria you have found the perfect person to guard Porta San Donato. We have truly enjoyed our stay here. The weather couldn't have been better. The countryside is so beautiful this time of year, and we have never seen so many different flowers. We sure enjoyed biking around here and the trip up the Valsorda to the top of the Serrasanta was unique. All the cute little towns are great, and our favorites were of course Perugia and Assisi, but we also liked Gubbio and Spello a lot. We were lucky enough to be here during the fiesta of the four ports with archery and slingshot competitions - a great treat. And then this Sunday with the flower covered streets. However, the highlight was a visit to the caves in Frasassi with the stalactites and the stalagmites - just another world, not to be missed. The apartment couldn't have been better, both in regard to critter comfort
and its situation in the great town of Gualdo Tadino. P.S. If you want to go biking in the Serrasanta, pick a day with no wind in Gualdo. If it's blowing here, it's howling there."
Ron and Brigitte, Marina del Rey, CA USA . late May - early June 2010
"Truly an amazing experience to live in a place with such a long history, yet so comfortable with all the moderns. Many thanks to Elaine for such beautiful furnishings and comprehensive array of everything from road maps and Italian dictionaries to CDs and DVDs with English options. There are so many interesting places within an hour or two and there is never a lack of things to do. We loved the cute laundry in the dungeon
and the spot on the wall that was once a papal coat of arms. The apartment has been ingeniously renovated."
Helen, Melbourne, Australia, May 2010
"For a very good restaurant with much more than bread, cheese, salami, pastries and cappuccino, eat at Hostaria da Baccus, within walking distance. The best food in all of Italy so far!"
Robin and Dave, South Canaan PA, USA, May 2010
"We have had a wonderful time in Gualdo Tadino at your lovely Porta San Donato. Our children loved staying in their own gatehouse. It was comfortable and inviting. You really have created a unique place here. We loved exploring Gualdo and meeting the locals. They were all so friendly. We loved the lady in the bakery who always treated our children to biscuits, and the bar in the piazza which poured 'cappuccinos' for our children, while we enjoyed our coffees. Maria is a real gem and couldn't have been more welcoming and helpful - even though we spoke limited Italian and she spoke no English. Grazie!"
Maria and Derek, Brisbane, Australia, May 2010
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