Little Gem N° 069 | A Place to Return To

"Love. The real one. The unshaped, the irrational, the type of love that you can recognize from a distance."

There’s a place tucked between the hills of Tuscany and Umbria that doesn’t try to impress — it simply is. A former farmhouse turned quiet refuge, it has been in the same family since 1543. Over centuries it evolved: once home to farmers and craftsmen, then to schoolteachers and shoemakers, and now, to those seeking beauty in life’s simplest pleasures — a breeze through an open window, the sound of crickets at night, a bowl of pasta under pine trees.

This isn’t just a place to stay. It’s a place to feel, to pause, to connect.

"Home is where you can follow your feelings in every situation."

Where Time Slows

The house sits gently on the land, surrounded by olive groves, cypress-lined paths, and views stretching to Montepulciano. With worn terracotta tiles, honey-hued stone walls, and ancient staircases, the building wraps you in history — but never feels heavy. Sunlight filters through wooden shutters, herbs grow by the kitchen doors, and every corner holds a trace of past lives.

Here, nothing is rushed. There’s space to nap in the wheat fields, to lose track of time over a long lunch, to watch the stars until late with a glass of wine in hand.

"Beauty is in the imperfections, in the little details we gain throughout the path of our life."

The Suites – Rooms With a Past

Each room was once something else — a granary, a schoolhouse, a family home. Their spirit remains, carefully restored with original frescoes, brick vaults, and handcrafted furniture that feels collected, not curated. Every suite has its own story, its own rhythm.

La Scuola – Once the local school. Today, a bright apartment filled with antique maps, frescoes, and vineyard views.

Poggio Gabbiano 1 & 2 – Corner suites filled with light. Shared terrace, sunrise to sunset views.

La Terrazzina – Secluded and romantic, with a private terrace overlooking the lake and olive trees.

Le Volticine – With its curved brick ceiling, this suite carries the spirit of 16th-century craftsmanship.

Contadino Maso – A space full of character, named after a local peasant leader. Frescoes, fireplace, and soul.

The Philosophy – Beauty That Belongs to No One

"There is no feeling of owning this place. The purpose is to take care of it."

The house was nearly lost — abandoned for decades before it was lovingly brought back to life. It became a refuge again, this time not just for others, but for the owner himself. In reconnecting with the land and the home of his childhood, he found healing — and a calling to share this quiet beauty with others.

"We believe in falling asleep on sunbeds, the pureness of nature, a good glass of wine & passion put into the right projects."

Volunteers from across the world helped restore the garden, the walls, the spirit. Together they rebuilt not just a villa, but a way of life — rooted in connection, in nature, and in simple pleasures.

The Environment – Between Cities, Nature, and Time

The surrounding countryside is as cinematic as it is grounding. Wheat fields ripple in the wind, vineyards roll into the horizon, and the sky turns golden every evening. You’re just a short drive from Montepulciano, Pienza, Cortona — places where tradition hums through the streets, where you can sip wine by a fountain or follow a Vespa through the hills of Val d’Orcia.

But even if you never leave the grounds, you’ll feel like you’ve travelled somewhere deeper.

Activities – Moments That Matter

Cooking Class – With seasonal ingredients from the garden and nearby farms. Hands-on, soulful, and always ending with a shared meal.

Private Dinners – Choose a spot: under the pines, by the lake, in the vineyard. Add music, candles, and good wine.

Outdoor Cinema – Watch films beneath the stars, accompanied by the sound of crickets and the scent of lavender.

Horseback Riding – Through the olive groves and open landscapes.

Wine Tastings – On-site pairings or private vineyard tours across Tuscany and Umbria.

Vespa & Ape Rides – Wind in your hair, sun on your skin, la dolce vita in motion.

Restaurant – Guests and locals are welcome at the in-house kitchen. A la carte dining near the villa, or an experience dinner in the garden.

Nearest Airport

Florence (FLR) – 1.5 hrs

Perugia (PEG) – 1 hr

Rome Fiumicino (FCO) – 2 hrs

Nearest Train Station

Chiusi-Chianciano Terme – 25 min drive

Terontola-Cortona and Castiglione del Lago

Price Indication:

Prices start from: € 530 per night (depending on type of suite and season)