Reviews of Villa Diana A

Self catering apartment in Ravello, Amalfi Coast, Italy

Mike H.

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

United States

VERIFIED

Spectacula views

August 2016 - We thoroughly enjoyed Villa Diana A. The views were spectacular and the garden terrace with grapes, lemons, olives and tomatoes growing was a place you are drawn to when you come home. A glass of wine and a seat next to the outdoor brick oven while cutting up fresh tomatoes with mozzarella and fresh herbs was a memory we won't forget. Also sitting out on a warm night with some cold Limoncello provided by owner was fun.

We were worried about the lack of internet and AC. The AC really wasn't an issue and the cafe down the road had fast internet so it worked out fine.

Great location. Each day we hiked the trail to Amalfi and took a swim.

We would definitely return.

Luca and everyone at Summer In Italy did a wonderful job helping us find the right place for our family.

Travel tips

  • Try Restaurant Salvatore and The Garden cliff side restaurants by the entrance to the tunnel where the bus lets you off. Probably the best dish we had was anything with pasta and shell fish. Crab, mussels, clams, yum. I also had one of the best steaks I have had in a while at The Garden.

Shona R.

Kalamunda

Australia

VERIFIED

Good

August 2014 - Villa Diana A was lovely to stay in. The garden had fresh tomatoes and lemons which we were allowed to use. The tomatoes were so tasty.

We tended to eat out or have cold food so did not cook in the kitchen. The facilities were a little rustic but adequate. We had to watch the 2 year old grandchild carefully as there were lots of steps and he could climb over the bed and out the window onto the balcony.

The owner was very helpful when we arrived and walked us to where the villa was. Having just arrived in Italy for the first time and speaking very little Italian we really appreciated his time.

I thought summer in Italy were very helpful. Summer in Italy had the property that we decided was most suitable to us after much internet searching plus it was easy to sort the booking.

Travel tips

  • Definitely take some insect repellent (this does not just relate to villa Diana A).
  • If you like walking, the steps outside the gate take you all the way to Amalfi (including a bit of road as well).
  • The villa was away from the main square but it was a lovely walk there and back.

Chris W.

Brentwood

United Kingdom

VERIFIED

Excellent

June 2014 - We loved the trip to Villa Diana A.

It was better than the pictures showed and we are planning to return for a longer stay. It is what it is a great little house, in a lovely location and, compared with the rest of Ravello, very good value for money.

I have not commented on the internals as the villa is a simple very comfortably furnished villa, as we expected, and not the height of luxury. Villa Diana A is so much nicer than the photos suggest, which is a nice surprise. As we said it was better than we expected and loved the place.

Very impressed with the service we received, we will be using Summer in Italy in further, I am sure.

Travel tips

  • The house's location is ideal if you want peace, as we did.
  • The use of a porter (expensive) to take your bags is a good option as there are no roads to the villa, simply footpaths and as such dragging luggage to the villa is hard work.
  • Everywhere we ate in Ravello was very good, from simple to luxury. A lovely town.

Anne D.

Clarmeont

Australia

VERIFIED

Excellent

April 2011 - We had an absolutely wonderful holiday in Villa Diana for 11 days.

The location is spectacular, a short walk into the main piazza in Ravello or outside the front gate the start of the steps down to Amalfi.

The villa is well equipped, has 2 good bedrooms and with 3 outside areas there is plenty of space to relax and enjoy the wonderful view.

I found Summer in Italy on the web and everything went smoothly and instructions were spot on and all enquiries dealt with efficiently. Will definitely use them again

Travel tips

  • The town of Ravello is a prefect location for a holiday, for those that want to be active there are heaps of walks, those that want to relax there is no better place than terraces or garden of Villa Diana and for those that want to venture afield then local buses can take you anywhere for very little cost.
  • We did day trips to Naples, Salerno, Herculaneum and walked to Amalfi on several occasions.
  • There are ample food shops in the town and many restaurants.
  • If you need a driver, Claudio Lucibello was wonderful and did the midnight to dawn drive to Rome airport for us.

Janet H.

Ivybridge

United Kingdom

VERIFIED

Excellent

September 2008 - We thought Villa Diana A was in an amazing location - very peaceful, with beautiful views. We loved the garden and two large terraces, it was wonderful to sit out at different times of the day admiring the amazing vista before us!

The villa itself is spacious, light and very comfortable. It's also ideally placed right next to the pretty footpath down to Amalfi (though be sure to catch the bus back up!!)

The gardener was very friendly and helpful - and I was able to practise my Italian with him, since he doesn't speak any English!

Travel tips

  • We spent a lot of time walking in the area - there are lots of lovely footpaths to explore between Ravello and surrounding towns and villages, for example, to Amalfi, Minori, Scala, Pontone. We had a great little book by Julian Tippett which mapped out lots of walks in the area - "Landscapes of Sorrento, Amalfi and Capri", which we highly recommend. There's a brilliant walk from Pontone to Torre dello Ziro, which is on a promontory that separates Atrani from Amalfi - spectacular views! Most of the walks we did only took a couple of hours there and back.
  • The local Sita buses are frequent, cheap and efficient, we used them a lot.
  • We also enjoyed a boat trip from Amalfi - really worth it for seeing the coastline from a different perspective. You need to be aware that it takes quite a long time to get anywhere on the bus though, since the coastroad has so many hairpin bends and so the traffic is slow - so you have to be prepared to get up early if you want to go to Pompeii, for example!

Stuart B.

Yateley

United Kingdom

VERIFIED

Excellent

August 2007 - Situated in the stunning village of Ravello, Villa Diana is situated next to Villa Cimbrone which has stunning gardens and a fantastic view across the sea.

The Villa has plenty of space for a family of 4 including 2 large older teenagers. The photos on the website do not give the villa justice.

Travel tips

  • Even at the height of the summer we found parking spaces outside the town.
  • A car is useful for those keen on going a little further a field to Pompeii etc.

Knut S.

Bærum

Norway

VERIFIED

Excellent

June 2007 - We really enjoyed living in Villa Diana A. It was spacey enough for two couples.

The terraces and garden were very nice, the latter with a rooftop of greenery and beautiful lemons. The view is beautiful letting us follow cars and buses climbing the steep hills, close enough to see, but far enough to be silent.

Also the stone-set walk to the villa was extremely nice, leading you through narrow passes, small gardens, and breathtaking views. We enjoyed the abundance of trails walking down to the ocean villages, like Atrani and Positano (and taking the buses uphill).

Ravello town gave the best of a neighbourhood.

Travel tips

  • Walking down to Atrani and from Atrani to Positano on the trails was excellent. You have to obtain the map of trails for Ravello from the Ravello information office.
  • For grown ups, swimming from the small cliff in Atrani was probably the best.

Candice J.

Sherwood Park

Canada

VERIFIED

Excellent

October 2005 - It was lovely. Everything worked - plenty of hot water, the dishes, bedding and towels were supplied.

It took us a few days to understand how to open the door of the washing machine - this was because I forgot that you had supplied directions before we arrived.

The views from the terraces were always fascinating. We really enjoyed the garden.

My husband cooked dinner over the grill one evening and we had a wonderful evening.

The word that keeps coming to me to describe the setting is "abundant". Coming from Canada, we marveled at the lemon tree and the grapes hanging from the vines.

We also love gardens, so that may be why we appreciated the garden at Villa Diana so much.

I felt the service I received from the staff was excellent. Lots of advance information is helpful when you have never visited Italy before. I appreciated the sign on the gate when we arrived, and the welcoming bottle of limoncello! Please thank Signor Pantaleone [the caretaker] for coming to meet us in the square after we arrived in the dark.

Nicholas P.

Ballinasloe

Ireland

VERIFIED

Excellent

August 2005 - Villa Diana A is situated on the edge of Ravello near the famous Villa Cimbrone. It therefore has the best of both world's - both being in the historic clifftop town and yet having peace and quiet too. It's only a ten minute walk along car free roads into the town centre; there are also footpaths descending from steps right outside the garden gate to take you on stupendous walks in the area. So location wise - the villa is superb.

The villa itself is an old restored building which gives it character - and charm in some of its unusually sized rooms! The facilities in the villa are first rate.

We enjoyed are stay very much and the place was easily able to hold our family of six (including three older teenagers...!) Our only complaint - that we couldn't stay longer!

A word of warning though! (well two) (1) the owner's 'representative' - only speaks Italian, so get learning NOW. (2) It is a stiff uphill hike from the bus-stop or road to the villa which you'll feel on your first day lumbered with the usual excess of luggage! Take the owner's advice and consider the porter. If you don't (as we didn't) - then GOOD LUCK!!!

Very impressed with the service you provided. I came across your internet site by accident (luckily!) - once we have saved enough again I would definately consider using your services again! (but with four children this may take some time!!!)

And we will love to see you back! A word for those who are not ready to learn Italian: always remember that our English-speaking staff is available 24 hours a day to translate over the phone for you!

Karen P.

Farnborough

United Kingdom

VERIFIED

Excellent

April 2004 - Villa Diana A is fantastic accomodation. The villa and garden are very rustic and the views are superb. We were met by the owner on our first day who was extremely welcoming, it is the families holiday home and felt very homely.

As the villa is in the mountains I would strongly recommend a warm pair of pyjamas as it was very chilly on an evening (although there is central heating available and we did go in April).

Our visit went very smoothly. Thank you.

Unfortunately, Villa Diana A can not be booked at this time.

We would love to help you find a suitable alternative. Please be in touch for personal advice from our staff!