...Except Le Terre di Isa because that is exactly how Massimo and Isabella make you feel: at home.

For a bit of a break during our 2-month whirlwind tour of Italy, my boyfriend and I wanted to get a taste of a small town, so we decided an agriturismo might be a good option. Which one, we had no idea. After mentioning the idea to an Italian friend, she recommended Le Terre di Isa, and with no info more than the name and phone number, we booked it. We had no idea what to expect when the train pulled up to the small, open station in Magione, but as Massimo drove us up the long, steep dirt driveway to the agriturismo, it all fell into place. We would be spending the next nine days in complete isolation, with only olive groves, fruit trees, chickens, geese, a housecat named Tizio, and complete beauty to keep us company. And it was perfect!

Over the next week, Massimo and Isabella took us not only into their lives, but also into their home, into their family. Any silly question, request to be driven here or there, question about local recommendations, was answered and granted with such care, such enthusiasm, and a general feeling that our hosts wanted to make our stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible--no matter what. When we were asked if everything was okay or if we needed anything, the questions were heartfelt, as if Massimo and Isabella WANTED us to have a request. They treated us with such kindness and concern, looking up bus and train schedules after we'd only casually mentioned the possibility of taking a day trip; cleaning up bicycles and picking out the best ones for us to use; driving us to the grocery store to fill up our in-room fridge; and even bringing us extra treats like traditional bruschetta, local wine, and homemade pasta e fagioli soup. Massimo and Isabella weren't just carrying out their roles as hosts--they were going out of their way to take care of us--even though they probably thought it was all in a day's work.

As amazing as Massimo and Isabella are, so too are the accommodations. Our room was beautifully decorated, extremely clean, with two big windows offering spectacular views of the patchwork countryside around us, a huge in-room bathroom, a TV, a small pantry filled with glasses and plates, a coffee maker, and a small fridge complete with a very fairly-priced minibar. It was everything we needed--and far more than we expected. The entire guest area, including the common room where there is another TV, a piano, and two tables where breakfast (which is wonderful) is served, is wireless ready. Outside, there is a pool and workout stations, plus plenty of places for lounging around on a beautiful day.

I can't say enough about Le Terre di Isa, and I wish I could find more words to describe Massimo and Isabella. There are few people in this world as wonderful and beautiful. As Massimo waved us off at the Magione train station, it truly felt like we were saying goodbye to family.