Hotel Review - Borgo San Luigi (Tuscany)

The road leading to the main villa

The approach leading to the main villa of the four-star Borgo San Luigi is the stuff of Tuscan dreams: a cypress-lined driveway transports you to a classical 17th century Renaissance villa set amidst a lush, green parkland.

Ideally located between Florence and Siena, and along the via Francigena, this characterful resort was once a small rural village — a borgo — owned entirely by a wealthy landowner.

Hotel Review - Villa il Poggiale (Tuscany)

The main sitting room

Located just outside Florence, Villa il Poggiale is a dreamy retreat in the heart of Chianti, and it hits all the right chords in both service and style. This authentic and tasteful country estate is a place where families and children will feel completely at home.  In fact, Villa il Poggiale considers itself a family home first and foremost, and kids are enthusiastically welcomed. 

The villa itself dates back to the 16^th century and was the family home of the current owners. The Vitta brothers have done a marvelous job at cultivating an atmosphere that’s elegant yet comfortable. Despite the beautiful surroundings,  it never feels stuffy or overdone. 

Hotel Review - Castello di Gargonza (Tuscany)

A heavy autumn fog shrouded Castello di Gargonza on the early Sunday morning of my visit, much like a theater curtain waiting to open before a big performance. Upon my arrival, church bells in the tiny Romanesque town peeled out, almost as if to signal my arrival through the castle’s main gate.