Unbelievable Belvilla Deal: Da Vinci's Secret Italian Escape!
Unbelievable Belvilla Deal: Da Vinci's Secret Italian Escape! - A Review That Doesn't Hold Back (Probably)
(Metadata: Belvilla, Italy, Da Vinci’s Secret, Escape, Review, Accommodation, Accessibility, Spa, Food, Activities, Honest Review, Funny, Rambling)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from "Da Vinci's Secret Italian Escape" via a Belvilla steal, and let me tell you, my expectations were… well, let’s just say they were unbelievably low. They were deeper than the pool, a place I definitely spent some time, by the way. But I'm getting ahead of myself. This review is going to be like a plate of pasta: long, messy, and hopefully, ultimately satisfying.
First things first: Accessibility. I'm not exactly Indiana Jones when it comes to navigating, but thank goodness, because honestly, it looks like Belvilla's kinda let down on their accessibility. They say they have facilities for disabled guests… but good luck finding concrete details. I mean, there was an elevator, which is a huge plus, but navigating the cobblestones around the place felt like a workout in itself. And I didn't see any specific ramp access. So, if you're dependent on wheelchair access, I'd suggest calling ahead and asking very specific questions. This could be a real dealbreaker.
Now, on to the good stuff: The Vibe, the Relaxation, the… Stuff!
Okay, the spa. Let me set the scene. Picture this: rolling hills, the Italian sun kissing your skin (or scorching it if you’re a pasty Northerner like myself), and the promise of… a body scrub. Yes, people, I actually paid to have someone rub dead skin off my mortal coil. And you know what? It was glorious. Utterly, unbelievably, delightfully glorious. I think I may have fallen asleep during it. This is after spending the morning in the sauna and the steamroom. The spa/sauna area was clean, and thankfully the scent of pine was not overwhelming. It was all very… refined. I even braved the pool with a view. And the view…. I'm not even going to try to describe it. Just… Tuscany. Enough said.
They also have the more conventional options: a fitness center (Gym/fitness). I'm pretty sure I saw someone in there once. I stuck mainly to the swimming pool (the swimming pool [outdoor]). It was a real treat in the Italian heat.
Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Hiccup)
Listen, I'm a sucker for Italian food. And Da Vinci's Secret? They did not disappoint. The A la carte in restaurant was my go-to for dinner. The ragu, with what I can only describe as melt-in-your-mouth beef was delicious! The service was super friendly, and I really appreciated the Alternative meal arrangement available, but also, the Asian cuisine in restaurant was… interesting. I'm not sure it's what I would choose in Italy, but each to their own!
The Breakfast [buffet], however… well, let's just say it was a mixed bag. The bread was fresh, the coffee was strong (thank the gods!), and the Western breakfast options were decent. But finding fresh fruit was a challenge. I was craving fresh fruit. The other options are Buffet in restaurant, Breakfast service, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, and Happy hour. They also had a Snack bar and Poolside bar, which were great.
I think I enjoyed the Bottle of water in the room as well.
The Room: My Sanctuary… Mostly
Okay, the room. My Room. The details! Available in all rooms!
- Additional toilet: Nope, but you can manage.
- Air conditioning: Thank goodness, yes! Air conditioning in public area too.
- Alarm clock: Tick.
- Bathrobes: Oh yes. Soft. Luxurious. Used daily.
- Bathroom phone: No.
- Bathtub: Nope, but a good shower.**
- Blackout curtains: Essential for those afternoon naps.
- Carpeting: Yes.
- Closet: Adequate.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes, and complimentary tea.
- Daily housekeeping: Spotless.
- Desk: Functional.
- Extra long bed: They were OK.
- Free bottled water: A godsend.
- Hair dryer: Present.
- High floor: Not sure it matters.
- In-room safe box: Secure.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Not for me.
- Internet access – LAN: Nope, but you do get Internet access – wireless
- Ironing facilities: Handy.
- Laptop workspace: Good desk.
- Linens: Clean and comfortable.
- Mini bar: A bit pricey frankly.
- Mirror: Yes.
- Non-smoking and Smoke detector: Safety first.
- On-demand movies: Didn’t use.
- Private bathroom: Essential.
- Reading light: Needed it.
- Refrigerator: Useful.
- Safety/security feature: Lots.
- Satellite/cable channels: A few options.
- Scale: Okay.
- Seating area: Yes.
- Separate shower/bathtub: No, but nice shower.
- Shower: Good.
- Slippers: Luxury!
- Smoke detector: Important.
- Socket near the bed: Good placement.
- Sofa: Adequate.
- Soundproofing: Not perfect, but decent.
- Telephone: To call room service.
- Toiletries: Adequate.
- Towels: Yes. and Umbrella.
- Visual alarm: Didn't need it.
- Wake-up service: Got it.
- Wi-Fi [free]: The lifesaver!
- Window that opens: Yup.
The room itself was… well, it was comfortable. It was clean (thanks to the Daily housekeeping), the Air conditioning worked like a charm, and the Blackout curtains were a lifesaver for those glorious afternoon naps. There's Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!
Now the Internet and [Internet LAN], yes! Internet services available and also Wi-Fi in public areas, a big plus.
Things to Do (Besides Rubbing Dead Skin Off Myself)
Besides the spa (which, let’s be honest, consumed a significant portion of my time), there's a ton to do. Ways to relax that don’t involve a body scrub.
- Things to do. You're in Italy! Explore! The staff were super helpful with suggesting excursions.
- I saw a lot of people using the Fitness center (Gym/fitness).
- The terrace was lovely for a morning coffee.
Safety, Cleanliness, and All That Jazz
I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so this was important. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Cleanliness and safety was evident. Daily disinfection in common areas? Yup. Hand sanitizer everywhere? Yep. They also mentioned having Staff trained in safety protocol. I didn't see them sanitizing the kitchen or tableware, or the room before checkout, but the place was clean, and I felt safe.
Services and Conveniences: The Nitty Gritty
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes! See above.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: Couldn't say.
- Business facilities: Not my thing.
- Cash withdrawal: Had a cash machine.
- Concierge: Yes, helpful.
- Contactless check-in/out: Yes.
- Convenience store: I didn't see one.
- Currency exchange: Don't know.
- Daily housekeeping: Excellent.
- Doorman: Nah.
- Dry cleaning: Nope.
- Elevator: Thank goodness!
- Essential condiments: Yes.
- Facilities for disabled guests: See the Accessibility section.
- Food delivery: Don't know.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Nope.
- Indoor venue for special events: Didn't explore.
- Invoice provided: Yes.
- Ironing service: They had it.
- Laundry service: Yes.
- Luggage storage: Yes.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Not for me.
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this Belvilla by OYO Da Vinci sette Vinci itinerary is about to get REAL. Forget those perfectly curated travel blogs – we’re diving headfirst into the glorious, chaotic mess that is travel. And Italy? Oh, Italy… get ready for a love affair, a food coma, and a whole lotta “Mamma Mia!”
The Belvilla Breakdown: Da Vinci’s Dreamhouse in Vinci (And the Impending Chaos)
Day 1: Arrival of Epic Proportions (and Possibly Wrong Turns)
Morning (Pre-Chaos):
The Plan: Fly into Florence. Rent a car. Drive to Vinci. Simple, right? HA!
Reality: Flight delayed. Lost luggage panic attack (did I pack socks?!). The car rental guy gives me the Italian Death Stare because I can't remember which side of the road to drive on. "Drive to Vinci" becomes "Drive to anywhere that isn't a ditch." Also, I forgot to print the address. I think it's Vinci. I Google it. The GPS is a cruel mistress.
Emotional Quotient: Mild panic simmering beneath a layer of forced optimism. "It's an adventure!" I chirp, mostly to convince myself.
Afternoon (The Hunt for Da Vinci's Lair):
- The Quest: Finally, finally, we hit the road. The Tuscan countryside is stunning, even through the windshield of a sputtering Fiat. Stop at a random vineyard (because wine heals all wounds). Get lost. Again. Ask for directions in broken Italian (which, in my case, is just me saying "Ciao!" and pointing).
- Messy Moment: Somehow, we're navigating narrow, winding roads with a car that's clearly seen better days. The radio keeps cutting out. I'm pretty sure I just sideswiped a bush. Oops.
- Quirky Observation: Those tiny Italian cars? They're designed for dodging Vespas, not avoiding massive potholes.
Evening (Vinci, I’m Yours! – Maybe.):
- Arrival (Finally!): We find the Belvilla. It’s gorgeous. Like, Instagram-worthy gorgeous. The view from the terrace makes me want to cry (happy tears, hopefully). Unpack. Discover that indeed, I totally forgot socks.
- Dinner Debacle: Attempt to cook. Fail miserably. Burn garlic. Order pizza. Pizza is amazing.
- Emotional High: The stars! The silence! The promise of gelato! Maybe I can do this whole "Italy" thing.
- Messy confession: My stomach is rumbling more than the vespas on the road. No one warned me about all this pasta.
Day 2: Leonard and the Luncheon of Legends
- Morning (Da Vinci Deep Dive):
- The Agenda: Visit the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Vinci. Pretend I understand advanced engineering concepts.
- The Reality: The museum is incredibly fascinating, but my attention span is clearly designed for TikTok videos. My partner is a bonafide nerd. We spend way too long discussing every Leonardo invention, I'm already falling behind. I’m sure I spent more time gazing out the window at the Tuscan scenery.
- Quirky Anecdote: Attempted to draw a self-portrait using a charcoal pencil. Looked like a rejected Picasso.
- Emotional High: Witnessing the sheer brilliance of Leonardo – even if I only understand 10% of it. The world needs more Renaissance men.
- Afternoon (The Most Important Meal of the Day):
- The Quest: Find a local trattoria for lunch. Seek out pasta. Possibly never leave.
- The Mess: Found the perfect little place. But they don't speak nearly as much English as I speak Italian. Order something I think is gnocchi. It arrives. It’s… heavenly. I eat it so fast, I think I slightly choke.
- Opinionated Language: BEST. GNOCCHI. EVER. This is what life is about.
- Rambling (Because Food): Seriously, that sauce? The texture? I need to learn how to make this. No, I need to marry the chef. I vow to eat every single pasta dish in Italy before I die.
- Evening (Wine Down):
- Plan: Wine tasting. Relax, because I DESERVE IT.
- Reality: We have a wine tasting, and I quickly realize, I know absolutely nothing about wine. I take notes, but they're mostly scribbles and smiley faces. End up buying a bottle purely because the label was pretty.
- Emotional Rollercoaster: That one glass, turned to two. I'm giddy. The world is beautiful and the wine is even more beautiful.
- Quirky Observation: Italians are masters of the effortless cool. I aspire.
Day 3: Florence, the Flood, and Forgetting My Umbrella
- Morning (Off to Florence!):
- The Plan: Day trip to glorious Florence. See the Duomo, the Uffizi, feel cultured.
- The Reality: Florence is busy. Like, sardines-in-a-can busy. The Duomo is magnificent, even with the crowds. Uffizi is a sensory overload. Lose my partner. Find them in a gelato shop.
- Imperfect Moment: Get poured on unexpectedly. Forgot to bring the umbrella. Now soaked and shivering.
- Opinionated Language: The lines for the Uffizi are a crime against humanity. Book ahead, people!
- Afternoon (Art and Afternoon Delights):
- The Mission: Uffizi Gallery – try to understand the Renaissance.
- The Mess: Stand in front of Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" and get choked up. It’s that beautiful. Get a caffeine fix.
- Quirky Observations: Why are there so many statues with no clothes on? Not complaining, just… observing.
- Emotional Reaction: It's hard to be unimpressed by the beauty of the art.
- Evening (Back to Vinci, But Not Really):
- The Descent: Drive back to Vinci, slightly dazed but enriched by art, food, and experiences, and with much less money than when we started.
- The Finale: Dinner at the Belvilla. A quiet, simple meal with a view that's now familiar.
- Emotional Overload: I can't believe I already have to leave Italy soon.
Day 4: Goodbye Vinci (and Hello, More Road Trips)
- Morning (The Packing Predicament:
- The Task: Pack. Decide what to take home.
- The Real: The suitcase has now exploded, so I'm forced to wear everything out. Still, I can't let go of this dream.
- Quirky observation: I think the best souvenirs are the memories and the stories, and maybe the random things I find in my pockets.
- Afternoon (Final Farewells):
- The Goodbye: One last climb up to the view from the terrace. Soak it all in.
- Emotional Farewell: Italy has been a chaotic, beautiful, messy, and amazing experience. I love it. I'm going to miss it. I will be back.
- Evening (Road Trip Out):
- The Plan: Drive to the next destination.
- Reality: Drive to the next destination, which will hopefully have more pasta and less wrong turns. The adventure continues!
And there you have it– my own little, messy, imperfect, and absolutely human journey through Belvilla by OYO Da Vinci and around Vinci.
Unwind in Luxury: Your Dream Chalet Awaits in Bad Hofgastein!
Unbelievable Belvilla Deal: Da Vinci's Secret Italian Escape! - My Brain's FAQ (aka The Real Deal)
Okay, seriously... is this 'Da Vinci's Secret' thing actually... real? Like, did he *actually* build this Belvilla?
(Deep sigh) Look, I’m not gonna lie. The brochure? It lays it on thick. "Da Vinci's Secret, a hidden gem..." blah blah blah. No, Leonardo didn't personally hang the *fresco* (probably). My guess? It's a charmingly renovated old building, probably in a region he liked hanging around in. But 'Secret'? Well, the address isn't exactly blazing neon signs, and trust me, parking was a QUEST. We circled for a solid hour. That felt pretty "secret", in a "I'm gonna lose my mind and end up eating spaghetti off the cobblestones" kind of way. But the history in the area? Yeah, it's oozing. You can practically smell the Renaissance.
Is the Belvilla actually *nice* though? I've seen some questionable "charming" rentals before...
Okay, so the pictures. They're good. *Really* good. And thankfully, the reality matched... mostly. The views? Absolutely breathtaking. Mountains, vineyards, that classic Italian "gosh, this is beautiful" vibe. The inside? Think exposed beams, terracotta tiles… the WORKS. There was this one tiny room that I SWEAR was designed for hobbits, but the main living area was glorious. And the kitchen! Ugh, the kitchen. First day I tried to make a pasta... disaster. But hey, even Michelin-starred restaurants have off days, right? (I’d like to imagine… okay, next question). It had all the basics, which is all I needed.
What's the biggest problem with Belvilla in general, and this one specifically?
Okay, here's the REAL tea: the lack of air conditioning. And not just "no air conditioning," but "air conditioning is a foreign concept, and good luck sleeping in the heat of July" air conditioning. We spent the first night completely drenched in sweat. It was awful. Absolutely, positively awful. I felt like a melted gelato. The next day, we bought fans - which, thankfully, helped. But still… It's Italy! It's summer! Air conditioning should be non-negotiable!
Tell me about the location! What's nearby? Did you get to eat ALL the pasta?
The location was AMAZING. Seriously, the whole area… Tuscany, right? Rolling hills, cypress trees, you know the drill. Cute little towns a short drive away. We spent a day in Florence (crowded, but you HAVE to), and Siena... gorgeous. And yes, I ate a *criminal* amount of pasta. Carbonara, puttanesca, arrabbiata... My gut is still singing its praises. Pro tip: Find the little, off-the-beaten-path trattorias. The food is infinitely better (and cheaper) than the places on the main squares. Oh! And the gelato! I'm pretty sure I gained five pounds in gelato alone. Worth it. Every. Damn. Scoop.
What's the ONE thing you'll never forget about the trip? And was it related to a goat?
Okay, so the goat part. (Sigh). There was a goat. Not *at* the Belvilla, thankfully. But on our way to a vineyard. This goat... This goat decided to block the road. A *very* narrow, winding road. And wouldn't move. I mean, wouldn't. move. It just stood there, judging us with those beady little eyes. We eventually, after about 15 minutes of honking, coaxed it to the side... only for it to start eating the flowers. It was peak Italy, in a slightly absurd, "that probably only happens to *me*" kind of way. BUT! Other than the goat and the sweat, the *view* from the belvilla, and the food, the experience really made it a once in a lifetime trip.
Would you recommend it? Be brutally honest!
Okay, brutally honest? YES. But with caveats! If you're okay with possibly sweating like a pig at night, navigating narrow streets, and potentially encountering a judgmental goat, then YES. It's a wonderfully authentic experience. The location is superb, the Belvilla itself is charming, and the food... the food is reason enough to go back. Just... pack a (good) fan. And maybe a translator for the goat.
Any insider tips? Besides the obvious "learn some Italian" thing?
Alright, here's the lowdown. Research restaurants *before* you go. Don’t just wander into the tourist traps (unless, you know, you *want* to, they can be fun, too). Download a currency converter app - trust me, it's a lifesaver. Learn at least the basic Italian phrases – "Grazie," "Prego," "Un altro bicchiere di vino, per favore!" will get you far. Oh, and bring comfortable shoes. You'll be doing a LOT of walking. And maybe, *just maybe,* a small offering of… flowers? …for the goat, just in case.
