Castle Vue Villa was a great base for our five-day July exploration of the Upper Mississippi Valley. The outdoor space and its incredible views were the highlight for us. The bird watching from the river view patio is amazing. Even though there are neighbors and many houses in the area, it was always quiet and peaceful. Nona was gracious and prompt in her communication. For our feline loving family, Kitty the cat was a big plus; by the time we left she felt like another member of the family. The house was a 30-45 minute drive from most of the activities we did (kayaking, wineries, eagle center, blueberry picking), but it was worth extra time in the car to be able to return to this oasis. Regarding practicalities: kitchen was well stocked, beds were comfy (though passing trains could be an issue for light sleepers), and bathrooms were nice and came with an assortment of soaps, shampoos, lotions, etc. it only took us an hour from our house in the city to reach Castle Vue Villa, but it felt worlds away. Highly recommended!