Il Borgo

Even if you’ve never been there, Tuscany is one of those places that tugs at the heartstrings. And once you have been there, you’re always looking for reasons to go back…and maybe stay a little longer.

We recently became aware of a wonderful little place on the outskirts of Florence called Il Borgo. It was revealed to IL Daily Postcard readers a few weeks back, and the response was unprecedented. As a dreamer of sunny escapes, I didn't want you to miss out, and have copied the original postcard below.

This is quintessential Tuscany. If you’re open to stretching your horizons as far as Europe, I can’t think of anywhere nearer perfection for a vacation home.

Life is Better in Tuscany

The jewels of Tuscany— Siena, Lucca, San Gimignano, and, of course, Florence—are world-renowned for their history and art…and a charm that’s uniquely Italian. But if you venture into the Tuscan countryside to explore lesser-known towns and villages, you’ll find pockets of life practically untouched by time.

On a warm day, you can enjoy the scenery while floating in the pool or socializing on the central piazza.

On a trip to Italy last fall, I journeyed by train from rainy Milan to greet a vibrant sun at the station in Florence. The driver from Il Borgo, Aldo, was waiting for me. He smiled encouragingly as I attempted a greeting in Italian. “Ah, Signorina speaks very well.” This place is good for the complexion…and the ego, I thought.

The road to Il Borgo stretches south from Florence through the vineyards of Chianti. In autumn, once the grapes have been harvested, the leaves still on the vine turn shades of burnt orange and dark red, painting the rolling hills with streaks of spicy color.

Venture into the Tuscan countryside to explore lesser-known towns and villages, you’ll find pockets of life practically untouched by time.

After 20 minutes of admiring the scenery, we pulled up to the cast-iron gates of Il Borgo di Villa Bossi-Pucci. Alessandro, who manages this exceptional estate and clearly loves his work, welcomed me with a tour. As we strolled around the grounds, my attention kept drifting back to the view over a picturesque valley dotted with bell towers and castle spires. The nearest town is only a five-minute walk, but everything you could possibly need or want is already at Il Borgo.

The road to Il Borgo stretches south from Florence through the vineyards of Chianti.

The main villa, still undergoing renovation when I visited, will be an upscale restaurant, with a four-star hotel next door and manicured gardens in the back. The adjacent “village,” a cluster of buildings reconstructed from native Tuscan materials, has furnished, full-service apartments of various sizes, some with unobstructed views of the valley below. On a warm day, you can enjoy the scenery while floating in the pool or socializing on the central piazza.

You can stay at Il Borgo for a night…or a week…or longer, as you discover the region’s culture and cuisine.

You can stay at Il Borgo for a night…or a week…or longer, as you discover the region’s culture and cuisine. Alessandro can organize day trips or cooking and language classes closer to home. And if you fall in love with Tuscany, a few of the apartments at Il Borgo are still available for purchase, your very own home base in Italy.

Before I left Il Borgo, I watched the sunset from the balcony of one of the apartments and bundled up as the air turned progressively cooler. Right before the sun went down for good, its rays bathed the valley in enchanting golden light. I could have stayed there, watching it, forever.

One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments at Il Borgo are available to buy, and range in size from 820 square feet to 2,060 square feet. For more information and prices, follow this link: http://www.il-ireland.com/il/questionnaire/borgo/

Important note: In the interest of full disclosure, we want you to know that International Living receives commissions from sales at Il Borgo. As with any development in progress, please remember always to buy what you see...not what is promised.