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Copyright Francesca Pagliai
An intact, beautifully-restored medieval borgo (hamlet) owned and run by the Ferragamo family, Il Borro lies at the centre of a working organic farm estate.
Much of what goes onto the plate in the estate’s three restaurants comes from the farm; chickens, Chianina beef, vegetables, fruit and the estate wines and olive oil. Sustainability is at the heart of the project.
The country-chic rooms and suites occupy the village houses, giving guests a taste of what life in a Tuscan hamlet may have been like, albeit with 5-star luxuries including two infinity pools and an excellent spa.
The village lies in its own 750-hectare estate in the Val d’Arno, east of the A1 autostrada in a totally rural setting. Florence and Siena are both 40 miles away and Arezzo is only 12 miles.
The setting, in 750 hectares of park and farmland, is totally peaceful, a true rural escape from the world. Most of the bedrooms and suites are housed within the medieval stone village buildings, so you walk along cobbled streets to get to the restaurants, spa and so on.
The village buildings are not just given over to hospitality; mass is held in the church every Sunday and local artisans produce shoes, ceramics, hats and jewellery in their studios in the village.
There are some enticing ‘experiences’ you can sign up for – vineyard and wine cellar tours, horse riding in the Tuscan countryside, and even workshops with local artisans (weaving, jewellery making and pottery painting and more). The latter are brilliant for kids.
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Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Siena, Tuscany, Italy[39.5 miles]
Arguably the most perfect medieval city in the world, Siena is a glorious ensemble of red brick buildings and exquisite monuments, famous for its fan-shaped Campo and Il Palio horse race.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Siena, Tuscany, Italy[39.7 miles]
The most famous bareback horserace in the world, Il Palio is an extraordinary spectacle that sees horses and riders gallop three times round Siena’s glorious, medieval Piazza del Campo.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free | 3 hours
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[44.7 miles]
Named after one of the most famous scientists in history, this fascinating museum holds a collection of more than 1,000 scientific instruments and related objects inherited from the Medici family and Lorraine dynasty – including two fingers belonging to Galileo.
Best for ages: 8+ | £9
Florence, Tuscany, Italy[44.7 miles]
An eclectic, world-class collection of sculpture, decorative arts and Renaissance masterpieces, housed in a former fortified prison.
Best for ages: 18+ | £6
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy[15.9 miles]
One of the greatest of all Italian fresco cycles is housed in the barnlike church of San Francesco in central Arezzo. Piero della Francesca’s Legend of the True Cross decorates the choir, taking fourteen years from 1452-1466. Recent restoration works mean the frescoes are in superb condition.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy[16 miles]
Held on the first weekend of each month, this huge market with stalls selling everything from vintage postcards to Renaissance paintings is laid out in and around Piazza Grande, attracting vendors and buyers from all over Italy.
Best for ages: 8+ | Free
Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy[28.1 miles]
Villa La Foce was once home to Marchese Antonio Origo and his Anglo-American biographer wife Iris who, in 1925, commissioned renowned English architect Cecil Pinsent to make a garden. The glorious result overlooks the Val d’Orcia and Monte Amiata and is open to visitors.
Best for ages: 18+ | £9
Greve, Tuscany, Italy[32.5 miles]
Medieval Greve-in-Chianti lies at the northern end of the Chianti Classico area and is a bustling market town with pretty arcaded central piazza. Generally considered the centre of Chianti wine-making, it hosts a huge, annual Festa del Vino, usually on the second weekend of September.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
Tuscany, Italy
A heady mix of incomparable Renaissance art, gorgeous palazzos, Tuscan cuisine and home-grown haute couture.
Tuscany, Italy
The astonishingly beautiful region of Tuscany has it all: art cities and ancient hill towns, high mountains and long sandy beaches, alongside luxurious hotels and some of Italy’s best food and wine.
