Escape to Tuscany: Your Dream Belvilla Awaits in Polivere Ficulle!
Escape to Tuscany: Polivere Ficulle – My Dream Belvilla (Maybe?) - A Really Honest Review
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to spill the Tuscan beans on this "Escape to Tuscany: Your Dream Belvilla Awaits" in Polivere Ficulle. Belvilla, huh? Dreams? Let's see if the reality lives up to the brochure, because let me tell you, I've been burned by brochures before. Shudders.
First Impressions & Getting There (The Pre-Dream Phase)
Okay, so Polivere Ficulle is…well, it's a place. Lush, rolling hills, olive groves to die for… It's seriously postcard pretty. Getting there was a breeze with the airport transfer (thank God, because navigating Italian roads feels like an extreme sport). The car park was free – bonus! – and on-site, which is a HUGE plus when you’re dealing with luggage and that post-flight brain fog. Valet parking? Nope, but honestly, I’m not sure I trust anyone with my rental car in Italy.
Accessibility & Safety (Because, You Know, We're All Getting Older)
Right, let's be real for a sec. Accessibility. I didn't specifically request a wheelchair-accessible room, but I did notice some facilities for disabled guests. And the elevator? YES! Thank the heavens. I’m not totally ancient, but carrying a suitcase up six flights of stairs after a long flight is definitely not my idea of a dream start. The common areas had CCTV, and security seemed tight (24-hour security and a doorman!), which is always comforting when you're somewhere new. The fire extinguisher and smoke alarms are there – yup, all good. Cleanliness and safety was handled very well. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection of common areas? Check. Hand sanitizer stations everywhere? Checkity-check-check. I felt genuinely safe and… actually, I relaxed a bit.
Rooms, Glorious Rooms! (The Dream Begins… Kinda)
My room was… well, let's say it was a room. Air conditioning was a lifesaver, seriously. Thank you, sweet, cool silence! My bed was amazing… Extra long! I really appreciated the comfy blanket. It had a coffee/tea maker, which is essential for any self-respecting caffeine addict like myself. A mini bar… well-stocked, I must say. And a refrigerator to keep my Prosecco chilled to perfection! I love chilled perfection, my dream. Free Wi-Fi in the room was a must, and it actually worked! (Miracle!) There were bathrobes and slippers, which made me feel like a glamorous movie star, even if I mostly just looked like I’d fallen out of bed. I also appreciated the blackout curtains, those are key to a good night of sleep. There was also a desk so I could still work while I was on holiday… sigh.
But… (The Reality Check!)
Okay, here comes the… ahem… less sparkly bit. The Wi-Fi [LAN]? Seemed a bit… archaic. The Internet access – wireless worked, but it dropped out a couple of times. Seriously? I need to stay connected! I also found the mirror a little too close to the reading light. It seemed like the place was missing some thoughtful design. The bathroom phone? Seriously? Who uses a bathroom phone anymore? I mean, seriously. It was a waste of time, and a little bit wasteful.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking (The "Food, Glorious Food!" Segment)
The restaurants were a mixed bag. The breakfast [buffet] was decent, with a good selection of the usual suspects: pastries (yesss!), cold cuts, etc. I definitely took advantage of the coffee/tea in restaurant! I ate at the restaurants almost every day. The poolside bar was pretty nice, but it was a bit slow sometimes. The Happy hour was, well, happy! And I loved the Coffee shop. I wanted Asian food, and they had Asian cuisine in restaurant, which was good. The desserts in restaurant were amazing, though. I think that's the most I ate out of all of the category.
The Thing That Nearly Ruined My Holiday (But Didn't!)
I'm going to dedicate an entire paragraph to this saga because, honestly, it was a nightmare. The room service [24-hour] sounded amazing, right? Wine at 3 AM? Yes, please! The first night, I ordered a simple salad (a salad in restaurant) and a bottle of red wine. The salad was…okay. But the wine… Oh, the wine. It was corked. Absolutely, utterly, irreparably corked. I called room service (or at least I tried to, the bathroom phone again!) but it took ages to get through. Eventually they sent someone up to replace it, but the whole thing was such a kerfuffle. And it made me a little sad. I want my red wine! It took like 10 minutes to change it over, and then, it was not perfect. It was a small, but significant wound. This, my friends, is what I call a first-world problem.
Things To Do & Ways To Relax (The "Spa Day or Bust!" Section)
Okay, here's where Belvilla almost redeemed itself. The spa was fantastic. I indulged in a massage – pure bliss. There was a Sauna, a Steamroom, which I loved - and a fantastic Pool with view. I spent hours just staring out over the Tuscan hills, pretending I was a glamorous film star. The Swimming pool [outdoor] was also nice and cool, and I got to relax… I had a dream of me in the pool. There was a Gym/fitness, which I didn't touch. I did not work while I was there.
Services & Conveniences (The "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme" List)
The Daily housekeeping was excellent. My room was always spotless. The concierge was helpful. The Laundry service was very good, but pricey. I loved the Gift/souvenir shop… and the hair dryer…
For the Kids (Because, You Know, Some People Have Them!)
I didn't have kids with me, but the family/child friendly facilities seemed decent. There was a babysitting service and kids facilities. I heard some yelling, but you know what? I’m not sure I care.
Overall Verdict (The Grand Finale!)
So, is Escape to Tuscany Polivere Ficulle a dream Belvilla? It’s complicated. It has its flaws. The wine incident? Annoying! The slightly dodgy Wi-Fi? Irritating! But… but… Those Tuscan views? The amazing spa? The sheer beauty of the location? Yeah, they kind of make up for it.
Here's the score:
- Accessibility: 4/5 stars (Could be perfect, but I didn't scrutinize it properly)
- Room comfort: 4/5 stars (Great bed, but the Wi-Fi woes)
- Dining: 3/5 stars (Some hits, some misses, and that damn wine!)
- Relaxation Factor: 5/5 stars (Spa, pool, hills… what more could a gal want?)
- Overall: 4/5 stars (Would I go back? Probably. But I'd bring my own corkscrew!)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your glossy brochure itinerary. This is the REAL deal, Belvilla by OYO in Polvere, Ficulle, Italy… according to ME, and trust me, it’s gonna be a ride.
The Polvere Ponderosa: A Messy Journey (and I wouldn't have it any other way!)
Day 1: Arrival… or, The Great Luggage Scramble
- 10:00 AM (ish… because let’s be honest, I'm always late): Arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport. Jet-lagged, hungry, and questioning every life choice that led me here, but mostly, EXCITED! (Even if I did almost miss the flight because I spent an hour in Duty-Free sniffing every available perfume…)
- 11:30 AM: The Rent-a-Car Debacle. Picture this: me, armed with a phrasebook and a prayer, trying to negotiate the rental car. "Un piccolo problema… with the GPS," the car rental attendant mumbled, his English as rusty as my Italian. After an hour of arguing and somehow managing to confuse "automatic" with "automa-tonic," I finally have a Fiat 500 (a very small Fiat 500) and I'm off to Italy. Wish me luck navigating rural roads and, truthfully, driving in general.
- 2:00 PM: The Drive to Ficulle. Oh, the views! Rolling hills, olive groves, and… wait… is that a goat? Turns out, yes, it was. And another. And another! Italy, you're already winning. The drive is longer than Google Maps promised. I blame the goats.
- 4:00 PM: Check-in at Belvilla by OYO. Finally. The house is amazing. I feel like I can breathe fresh air. The photos online didn’t do it justice. It's charming, rustic, and somehow, even though I'm slightly overwhelmed after the driving chaos, completely comforting. But… where’s the corkscrew?! This is a disaster!
- 4:30 PM: Corkscrew hunt. I rage around the kitchen, rummaging through drawers, cabinets… everything. Eventually, I find a battered, ancient one and declare victory. Wine, here I come! Okay, maybe I’ll have the wine after I deal with the luggage.
- 5:00 PM: Unpacking. The world’s worst packer meets the world’s most charming house. The suitcases explode. Clothes everywhere. But hey, at least I have wine. I’m not the only one who thinks this is a great house.
- 6:00 PM: Exploring the house. I walk every room, take pictures, and start daydreaming about staying here forever.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner attempt. I walk around the small Ficulle. There are only two restaurants, but the atmosphere is friendly. I order something that sounds like chicken and potatoes. I think it's really good. Maybe it was the wine…
- 9:00 PM: Sunset on the terrace. The air is warm, the sky is ablaze with color. This is why I came. This is bliss. I have decided to stay here forever. I can totally get used to this.
Day 2: Ficulle & The Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing (Gloriously)
- 8:00 AM (ish…): Wake up feeling like a sun-kissed goddess. I spend the morning on the terrace drinking coffee. Breakfast is a local cheese, and bread. I buy it from the local shop in the village. I don't know what it is, but I love it.
- 10:00 AM: A walk with my camera. I wander the narrow streets of Ficulle, snapping photos of everything. I ask a local woman to take my picture in front of the church. She smiles, and I feel like I'm part of the community.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a tiny trattoria. I order a pasta dish, and the warmth of the family. The house is so good, I almost lick my plate. I feel like I could eat this food every day for the rest of my life.
- 2:00 PM: Back to the house for a nap. I'm so tired! I wake up 3 hours later. The nap really works. It's a long day.
- 5:00 PM: Shopping for groceries. I go to the local store. The old lady behind the counter doesn't speak English. It is great, and funny. I buy more local cheese and wine. The staples.
- 7:00 PM: Cooking dinner (sort of). I try to cook something. I burn bits of the sausages. The kitchen is a disaster, but the smell is incredible. I don't care.
- 9:00 PM: Sunset again. The magic is still there. I drink wine and let it all soak in.
Day 3: Todi - Medieval Magic (and Potential for a Fall)
- 8:00 AM: I'm almost on time for this day! A tiny miracle.
- 9:00 AM: The drive to Todi. It is a beautiful drive.
- 10:00 AM: Arrive in Todi. Todi is a medieval gem perched on a hilltop. It’s breathtaking, and… steep. I feel like I'm climbing mountains. This is a city for the fit.
- 11:00 AM: Exploring Todi. The Piazza del Popolo is stunning. I get a gelato (hazelnut, naturally) and wander around.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch at a restaurant in Todi. I start talking about the place, and my family. I don't know why. I cry a little bit.
- 2:00 PM: The return drive. I'm so exhausted, I feel like a nap. The beauty of the road is a remedy.
- 4:00 PM: Nap time at the house.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner.
- 8:00 PM: Back on the terrace again. This is my life now. I love it.
Day 4: Orvieto & The Cathedral That Will Make You Gasp (and Maybe Cry)
- 9:00 AM: Drive to Orvieto.
- 10:00 AM: Arriving in Orvieto.
- 11:00 AM: Exploring Orvieto. The cathedral is stunning. It's more than stunning. It is life-changing. I feel so much. It's hard to explain.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch in Orvieto.
- 2:30 PM: Back to the house. I needed time to be alone. I feel peaceful and grateful.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner.
- 7:00 PM: Sunset.
Day 5: Back to Reality?… Maybe
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast on the terrace. One last view.
- 10:00 AM: I pack.
- 12:00 PM: I am going home.
- 12:30 PM: But I can not. I feel so comfortable. I have to extend.
- 1:00 PM: That is what I did. I will not forget this place.
Final Thoughts:
This itinerary? It's a guideline, not a gospel. Embrace the mess, the unplanned detours, the language barriers. Italy, and especially a slice of it in Polvere, Ficulle, is all about the unexpected. It's about the freedom to get lost, to wander, to stumble into something truly beautiful and finding your way back home. And honestly? That Fiat 500 wasn’t half bad after all.
P.S. – If you find yourself in a tiny Italian village, do these things:
- Buy the local cheese. Seriously, do it.
- Talk to the locals. Even if you don't speak the language, they’ll understand your heart.
- Embrace the "dolce far niente".
- Don't rush. Ever.
- And most importantly? Remember to breathe, laugh, and let the magic of Italy work its way into your soul. Because believe me, it will.
So, Tuscany... It REALLY lives up to the hype, right?
Polivere Ficulle - sounds…remote. Is it REALLY in the middle of nowhere? Like, do I need a survival kit?
The Belvilla – is it as gorgeous as the pictures? What if it's a total lemon?
Any tips for making the MOST of the experience? The REALLY important stuff!
Okay, so the wasps... what's the deal? Are they, like, EVERYWHERE?
Any advice on dealing with the language barrier? I barely remember high school Italian!
