Testimonials for Merrion Charles

Below are some of my testimonials

Villa Tombolino

Merrion is  brilliant, I have used her many times over the years, she has found some exceptional properties in beautiful places. She has always been so professional and discreet and able to accommodate whatever our requests may have been. I highly recommend her, thank you Merrion!”

P.A to Coldplay 

Ski Safari 2018

Merrion, thank you for your guidance we hope we are fortunate to hire your services again in the future, as well as, go on another tour with Mario. We will recommend your services to anyone we know that maybe touring Europe.

Thank you for your patience and for all you did to make our Ski Safari beyond our expectations.

Clients Rivard from America

Villa Oasis 2023

I would still be reluctant to book anything for a week or more without it having been ‘vetted’ by Merrion. She has a unique skill in matching a property to the ‘needs and wants’ of her clients. This year was no exception! We chose Villa Oasis primarily for its history, unique location and views, none of which disappointed. Merrion organised the wonderful ‘Chicca’, one of the best cooks we have ever had whilst holidaying in Italy. She planned and organised not just the catering but also organised yours and trips to local vineyards and restaurants. Her husband, Arnaud (an experienced cyclist) led our group on the most wonderful cycling tours. The service at the villa was amazingly efficient (thank you Monica!) and friendly and left us wanting for nothing.

Collins family from UK

Villa Tavernaccia

I have worked with Merrion Charles, as my trusted guide to Italian villa rentals, for many years. Merrion has also helped numerous friends whom I have referred to her. Her properties, all which she personally knows, are first rate, her advice is excellent, and her care of clients ensures a seamless and relaxed holiday. After discovering Merrion I haven’t thought of looking to other Italian villa rental or hotel advisors.

Linda, Toronto

Nicole and Randy

Wedding and Honeymoon 2016

All I can say about your assistance and help is that we had the trip of a lifetime and there is no way on earth we could have done it without you. You were able to put my mind at ease and I felt that I was in good hands the entire time. We stayed in hotels and visited places I don’t think we would have without your recommendations. I would recommend your services to anyone and everyone and if you’d have us I will absolutely reach out to you on future trips.

Sicily 2023

As you know we had an absolutely wonderful time on the trip. It will really be one of my favourites we have taken so far (many more to come I’m sure!). .. Once you got us settled on Sicily and we were trying to figure out how to do it it became clear it would be one of those trips where we decide “This is gonna be a journey and we’re just going to let whatever happens happen” and it turned out to be amazing… Modica was a bit of a dream. I’m SO GLAD we stayed at Casa Talia – we still talk about it.

The boat trip with Piero was WELL worth the drive across the island. He was amazing. I’d recommend that boat excursion over and over again. Palermo was a wonderfully chaotic experience. I loved it all and the service at Grand Hotel e Des Palmes was maybe the best I have ever had… the breakfast there was also insane. So perfect.

I’m just so happy I reached out to you for advice and even happier that you planned this incredible vacation for us. It’s really amazing when you find someone who you just click with and who has the same idea of how to travel and how to experience the places you travel to. I can’t imagine having to ever see the views “from a bus” and thankfully, knowing you, I never will.

Casa Glyn in Lunigiana

My husband Dennis and I have used Merrion Charles for a number of years now. We travelled to Italy with friends and Merrion organised a wonderful villa for us in Umbria. Our friends often remind me of what a wonderful time we had there, especially after they get Merrion’s newsletters and the comment is “ not another wonderful villa we need to go to”! Since then we have stayed at some wonderful hotels that Merrion has suggested. Venice at Hotel Flora, Florence, Bologna, Ravenna, and Pietrasanta – a wonderful town which grew important in the 15th century due to its connection with marble. It is a haven for artists now. We were also guests at Casa Glyn in Lunigiana and were welcomed by the wonderful PR dog called Muffin together with Merrion. It is high up in the hills with such a magnificent view.

We found Merrion to be very helpful and knowledgeable. Merrion always replies to questions quickly and will offer good suggestions for your itinerary. We hope to return one more time for a stay in a villa in lovely Italy. Grazie mille Merrion and Muffin

Dennis & Heather Hogan, Australia

La Poderina 2021

I am so (so) happy that I did not give up on our holiday plans and thankful that you went the extra-mile to secure La Poderina for us. The entire area is heaven on earth, close to perfection, I had to travel to Tuscany for the third time to finally discover its magical beauty. To say that La Poderina is an amazing property would be an understatement. The place is truly magical, by far the best house we have ever stayed in and a place we never wanted to leave. Remote, yet minutes away from Piazza Il Campo, quiet, exceptionally well maintained and cared for (big bravo to Lito, Peny and the gardener, who are doing a great job). The house, the design (a perfect blend of classic and contemporary, which speaks for itself about the owner’s taste), the bookshelves with probably over 10,000 books, the bedrooms (generous size and top notch beds and linens), the bathrooms, all the small details …the kitchen – the dream of any professional or wannabe chef…The pool and the garden, with hammocks scattered here and there among the trees perfectly complete the entire set-up, making the decision to leave the property very difficult. There is absolutely no doubt that we will return to La Poderina in the not-so-distant future…to sum up, an unforgettable holiday, a wonderful place where we definitely want to return and, last but not least, another successful experience working together. We will definitely be in touch and look forward to our next Italian holiday already.

Testa family from Bucharest

My husband and I have booked multiple trips to Italy through private travel consultant, Merrion Charles, and we were dazzled and swept away with the beauty, privacy and exclusivity of her choices. As a born Brit with Italian citizenship who speaks extremely fluent Italian, her connections are invaluable.

For instance, even though there were multiple travel restrictions in 2022 because of Covid, Merrion somehow found us the most gorgeous villa in all of Tuscany. Situated near Siena, the villa was spectacularly beautiful, the main house with world class, maximalist and brutalist interiors, multiple bedrooms, two main living areas ,dining room, kitchen and numerous sitting areas. There is also a guest house, a sumptuous swimming pool, a separate swim clubhouse and even a chapel. The villa came with an incredible staff, including Rosanna, who was the most talented chef (and friend) we’ve ever had. Merrion and the owner designed meal plans for us and the wine cellar provided us with all we needed for the most extraordinary meals, (my enthusiastic superlatives are not exaggerated). There also was a pizza oven, multiple outdoor dining and seating areas, gob-smacking landscaping and the most extraordinary view of the Tuscan sunset. Seriously, if you want to treat yourself, this is the place to go.

We also honeymooned at another property in Tuscany Merrion recommended; a fairytale of a villa with multiple structures with many bedrooms which included en suite bathrooms. There was in addition, of course, an extraordinary private chef, with her own herb garden. This property had been featured in many architectural digest style magazines for its comfy chic appeal.

In addition, if you’re looking for a unique exquisite hotel, anywhere in Italy, Merrion will know what to book for you. Don’t Airbnb or muddle through other travel apps or scroll on the computer for hours looking for villas in Tuscany or anywhere else in Italy for that matter. Call Merrion Charles. Sicily, Venice, Rome, Lake Como, the Dolomites, Piedmont and Alba and much more… Merrion is the foremost authority on the splendors of Italy.

Villa Medane, Tuscany

Hi Merrion, Had to send you a big THANK YOU for helping Kathy find this beautiful Villa. And working to help us with all the details. You are very good at what you do. What an absolutely gorgeous home. We all had the most amazing experience enjoying every part of it. Cocktails in the living room, fun cooking pizza with Rosanna and Ombretta in the rain, wandering the gardens and relaxing in our luxurious bedrooms with very comfortable beds. Rosanna was over the top with her creative meals, homemade pastas, meats, home made cakes, tarts and more. Being there for breakfast to send us on way to tour the villages and beautiful countryside. And Ombretta was a worker bee, and both were always smiling. And dancing and laughing with them in the kitchen after a few glasses of wine (us) and helping them do the dishes often capped off a perfect day.

Thanks for helping Kathy and me plan menus and groceries. We never went to bed hungry. Just waiting to see what was in store for the next day. Kathy spoke very highly of working with you in the past and present. And she was right on.

Grazie Mille, Patty & Don

Podere Sant Adele

Podere Sant Adele was a beautiful experience. We absolutely loved the location near Cetona, and the fact that the villa was quite literally on a relatively private road in the Tuscan countryside. The house had nearly all amenities one could ask for, including a lovely, manicured garden, multiple outdoor seating areas, and idyllic views, even during this transitional moment between high season and offseason.

For our family of five, we were grateful for the space – and even the extra space – as it allowed for the use of multiple bathrooms simultaneously, when necessary, with more than enough room to relax in the living room, dining room, and other areas as well. The house was impeccably cleaned and meticulously manicured. We felt safe and secure here as well, as the gate and long driveway put some distance between the road and the house.

We were grateful for the house manager Letizia who was inquisitive about how she could facilitate our happiness while there, and was extremely helpful cleaning and even cooking a lovely, bountiful meal one night! Her husband Massimo was also a pleasure, not only helping with gardening but helping us get our car out of a bit of mud one day as well!

Thank you for a very special time, Merrion!!!

Aaron Becker and Family, California
October 2024

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