Full Description

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. 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. 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. The nearest town is only a five-minute walk, but everything you could possibly need or want is already at Il Borgo. 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. We 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. One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments at Il Borgo are available to buy, and range in size from 76 sq. mt. to 191 sq. mt.