Our second stay at Vecchio Podere proved to be just as comfortable, relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable as our first. Phil and Ingrid are the perfect hosts, making everyone feel welcome, special and nothing is too much trouble. From the first welcome drink in their magnificent farmhouse to a rousing slap up meal washed down with a few glasses of "Piano... more

The accommodation is excellent, beautiful setting overlooking the vine yards peaceful & relaxing. Lovely swimming pool with Bar. Phil & Ingrid are great hosts they set up a wine tasting lunch for us at short notice. The Wine tasting was excellent very informative and great wine also lovely food. more

We enjoyed our stay with Ingrid and Phil very much. We (2 parents + 2 kids) stayed in their Barbera apartment which has 2 spacious bedrooms and a not too big but comfortable kitchen/living room. We were welcomed in a very friendly way and really appreciated the "Welcome kit" (bread, milk, coffee, tea, water etc.) to overcome the first day... more

Phil and Ingrid own a beautiful renovated farmhouse with a nice swimming pool with astonishing views over vineyards and the snow covered Alps. We rented an apartment with kitchen, living room, bathroom and two bedrooms which was enough space for a family with three young kids. The apartment is modern, clean and properly equipped with kitchen tools, towels and with... more

Well, we have just returned to our (now not so) secret hideaway in the Piemonte district of northern Italy. The place is just fantastic - even in the rain. The relaxing atmosphere, great views, friendly local people.... and of course the owners, Phil & Ingrid Blades, lived up to their reputation as great hosts and sources of local information. Just... more

This was an ideal stay for us and a welcome contrast to a few very different days spent immediately before in Stresa. We spent 6 nights with Phil and Ingrid in their self-catering apartment and enjoyed the quiet, the hills and villages and, of course, the food and wine. We would have preferred a double bed and the kitchen was... more

We arrived on 27th June having booked 6 weeks in advance, but Phil & Ingrid were not there. The contact number is their house phone, which we could hear ringing. After 4 hours in temperatures of 38 degrees, we decided to leave and find a hotel. It was 8pm, and I was concerned that we might not find a bed... more

This was our first time travelling to Italy, and we had the good fortune to stay with Phil and Ingrid. There were 7 of us in the party, plus Rachel (Phil's neice) and her friend Jan (great girls). We had a mixed holiday of site seeing, winetasting, and lounging round the pool, which had fantastic views. We also had a... more

This week - our 2nd time in Vecchio Podere Santa Cristiana - was even better than last year's (as the airline didn't mislay our luggage): Wine tastings, day trips to Turin and Genoa, Market in Nizza Monferato, wonderfull local restaurants all organised with expert help from our hosts. On top of that came Moscato and chill out by the pool,... more