 Speak with a Villa Specialist |
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| Villa Specialists Kate and Charlotte just retuned from a fall trip to the Italian countryside. On their list? Scoping villas and hotels in Lucca, Florence, and Umbria, and trying local pastas and wine in between... |
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BROWSE ALL VILLAS IN ITALY
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WIMCO VILLA SPECIALISTS: KATE & CHARLOTTE
Meet Your Tour Guides
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Wish to speak more with our Italian Specialists?
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Lucca
WHERE IT IS: About a 45 minute drive north of Florence, still considered Tuscany.
OUR VILLA SPECIALISTS SAY: "The perfect place to get your feet wet in Europe–easy enough to get around without a car and without speaking Italian."
FAVORITE DISHES: "Local tortelli (Lucca-style ravioli) in a meat and tomato ragu."
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"Just 20 minutes from Lucca and nestled in olive groves, this 6 bedroom villa was a total standout. It has robust gardens and excellent views of the valley, and the house itself has a great layout." Charlotte A., Villa Specialist |
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"The villa is surrounded by the estate's vineyard and olive groves, and in addition to olive oil, the estate produces red and white wine and honey. Guests can enjoy tastings at their production facility, which is included in the rate. It's a great way to immerse yourself into the culture without having to go too far!" Kate O., Villa Specialist |
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BROWSE ALL LUCCA VILLAS
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Dreaming of Italy?
START YOUR VILLA SEARCH > |
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Tuscany
WHERE IT IS: Florence is the capital of the region of Tuscany, so you can take a day trip to the hills of Tuscany while still staying in a city hotel. Southern Tuscany is more remote in feel than Chianti and Siena.
OUR VILLA SPECIALISTS SAY: "Be sure to ask us about local happenings in the area (festival, olive harvests, truffle season) so we can arrange a great itinerary for you!"
DON'T MISS: "Recently harvested olive oil, or, the nuovo di olio. It has a greener look and a spicier quality than we are used to at home."
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"Built in the 1800s, guests will feel like they're staying in a small piece of history, albeit brought to modern standards. Elegant and romantic with thoughtful interior design, the villa captivated me with its antiques, textures, and colors throughout. It's only a few minutes to restaurants and shops."
Kate O., Villa Specialist |
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"I felt like I stepped into a Tuscan dream the moment I arrived here. Surrounded by vineyards, the villa is only a few minutes drive to a small village, and about 10 miles from Sienna. Bedrooms are spacious with soft linens, and the ample outdoor space leaves room for everyone to have their own space to relax. A bonus? The western facing layout allows for fantastic late day sun and sunset views over the vineyard."
Kate O., Villa Specialist |
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Villa BRV IMP, 8 BR, Outside Florence |
"I watched as the olives were harvested from the trees surrounding the villa. From the moment I arrived, I felt right at home. With 8 bedrooms and about 30 minutes from Florence, it's an ideal villa for a multigenerational family looking to both sight see in town, and relax in its vineyard setting. A quaint village nearby is perfect for simple outings."
Kate O., Villa Specialist
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BROWSE ALL TUSCANY VILLAS
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Umbria
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WHERE IT IS: Like Tuscany, Umbria is its own remote region, and about 2 hours south of Florence.
YOU MAY NOT KNOW: While Umbria is a mecca for historical enthusiasts, the area is booming with art and historical artifacts.
FAVORITE DISHES: "Candy-shaped ravioli filled with beets and ricotta in a gorgonzola sauce...amazing!"
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"Nestled in the hills of Umbria and adjacent to an olive grove, this comfortable Tuscan farmhouse has been upgraded with modern features. What most attracted me to this villa was the beautiful, mature gardens surrounding it."
Charlotte A., Villa Specialist
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"Perched on a hill with panoramic views and meticulously kept gardens. The furnishings are crisp and elegant, and like most villas we visited, exhibit the classic Tuscan farmhouse aesthetic. What really sets this villa apart, though, is the sense of luxury imbued in the interiors." Charlotte A., Villa Specialist
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BROWSE ALL UMBRIA VILLAS
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Our Itinerary
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1). "We arrived in Florence from Boston, via Zurich, and drove to our first hotel Palazzo Dipinto, which was about 45 minutes away in Lucca. The city was quite impressive to approach, as it enclosed by intact Renaissance-era high city walls. The hotel was recently renovated with spacious rooms, and an easy walk to all sites." |
2). "We then moved on to the next portion of our trip, touring villas outside of Florence. We traveled through the hills of Tuscany, visiting 13 villas here. In the evenings, we returned to the Hotel Cerretani, in Florence’s city center, and only a 3 minute walk to the Duomo." |
3). "We then made our way down to San Casciano dei Bagni, a small medieval town about 90 minutes south of Siena, known for its ancient hot springs. After being in the heart of Florence for a few days, we were looking forward to experiencing a quiet villa in the countryside." |
4). "We enjoyed our Sunday off by venturing to Montepulciano, a medieval hilltop town about an hour north of our villa, and home to our favorite wine! The delicious wine, cheese and cured meat here are absolutely worth the drive…" |
5). "For our third and final phase of the trip, we drove northeast towards Perugia, staying at the Sangallo Palace Hotel, a spacious and well-located hotel, albeit a bit dated. However, it was steps away from the main corridor that led right into the heart of the city. From here, we took day trips around Umbria." |
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READ THE FULL TRIP REPORT
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St. Barths for the Holidays?
SEE WHAT'S STILL AVAILABLE > |
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It's All in the Details. |
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Villa Specialists routinely inspect our properties, and regularly stay in them.
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More than Meet and Greet.
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Our Concierge team can customize your vacation, from flights to private chef to sunset cruise.
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Experience You Can Count On.
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Take advantage of over 30 years of planning memorable villa vacations.
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