your hosts

Your hosts, Sioban and Carlo Baldini met in Italy six years ago when Sioban went on holiday to Europe . Five days after arriving in Tuscany , she was introduced to Carlo and despite the inability to speak each others' language, two weeks later they knew they wanted to spend more time together. Instead of returning to Australia , Sioban enrolled in Perugia University to learn Italian and set about the daunting task of finding a job as a chef in a Tuscan restaurant.

Carlo's first business venture at twenty four was to set up a restaurant in his home town of Cortona . After meeting Sioban and discovering a shared passion for food, wine and people, they found and managed an Agritourismo in Tuscany before returning to Australia to take over Wildwood Valley where Sioban grew up.

Carlo's craving for pizza reminiscent of home, led him to build a wood fired pizza oven, which has become the focus of much of their summer entertaining.

Sioban's "mad about food" weekend cooking schools have proved very popular and are much in demand. Her specialities are Italian and Thai cuisine.

With their combined talents and experience, Carlo and Sioban believe they bring something quite different and unique to the South West accommodation scene.

"Thank you for making our Christmas so wonderful, we appreciate all the ways you found to make our stay the special time it was. You really were perfect hosts, nothing we asked seemed to be too much trouble. The peaceful setting at Wildwood Valley and your gastronomic delights (breakfasts and seafood platter) exceeded even our highest expectations."
Rob, Nicola and Cor

For those just arriving, you are in for a terrific time. For those of you leaving, you'll know what we mean!! Too bad there's not more time.
Tom and Donna, Fairfax , Virginia , USA