April 8 2008: Yes...this is a long review. But having just returned from the amazing La Bandita, I am feeling the difficulty of trying to fit many accolades into a brief space. Bottom line: I loved La Bandita. You must go.

Getting to La Bandita is simple: travel to the Val d'Orcia, the most gorgeous pocket of Tuscany. Go down a two-lane road that winds between rolling green hills and genteel rows of tall cypress trees. Turn left (or was it right?) up a rocky dirt road that will pulverize the bottom of your rental Smart Car. Stop for a moment at the smelly barn of bleating sheep to greet the pack of joyous and shaggy sheep dogs. Pass the abandoned ruins of a tiny stone house which is home to a "wild" boar (with an unprintable name) that likes green apples. The view is breathtaking from here, but it only gets better. Just a bit further is the turn for La Bandita.

Congratulations--you've arrived in heaven. And if you have managed to do so in dark of night, you definitely get a gold star for navigational skills.

The lovely and wonderful owners John and Ondine (and delightful and knowledgeable co-managers Francesca and Simone) are genius at making their guests experience the magic of the place. They gladly share very detailed directions to the secret spots they know. John will take you on a wine tasting that leaves you completely educated and more than a bit tipsy. In fluent Italian they will arrange for both a trip to a completely crazy organic farm (which lets you cuddle the lambs and sells the best fresh pecorino and organic olive oil around), and reservations at 5-table eateries.

La Bandita is one of those places that, having discovered it, you hope no one will ever write about. A place that will always have an uber-romantic room for you with gorgeous views, a comfortable bed set behind gauzy curtains, and, in some rooms, a sunken tub built for two. The upper rooms share an airy sitting area (perfect for hiding from the Tuscan storms) with an enormous stone fireplace and an honor bar .

Downstairs are more gorgeous rooms and the larger living area and kitchen, with a vintage record collection, a library of books, and board games with which to while away the afternoon. Had we not been so busy exploring the local towns and eating black truffle pasta and drinking delicious Tuscan wines, I am sure we would have done just that.

Dinners at La Bandita are either a wine and grappa-filled dinner party with John, Ondine and other guests or a gourmet retreat set aside for two. There's a pool, which in summer months I expect will be lovely. I hope to go and experience it firsthand.

Date of stay: March 2008
Purpose of stay: Leisure (With Partner)

April 7 2008: La Bandita was a great find. It is a beautiful 8-room guesthouse on a knoll with fantastic views of the Orcia River valley and the surrounding hills. On many of these, one can see medieval towns with towers rising above the old stone walls. We had miserable weather - which is apparently normal for March - yet the countryside still struck us as very pretty and unique.

The owners, John and Ondine, were really great. We were lucky to arrive during the low season so that we enjoyed their undivided attention. They and their staff, Simone and Francesca, were very friendly, interesting, and helpful with recommendations for site-seeing, eating, and drinking. John even led a terrific wine-tasting for us in nearby Montalcino and was more than generous with his stash of wine and grappa back at La Bandita, charging us for much less than we consumed.

The rooms have great views and are very comfortable - I loved the bed - and all of our needs were well-attended to.

Date of stay: March 2008
Purpose of stay: Leisure (With Partner)