Travels with Bob

Established in 1625, the Buccelletti Family Estate began as a specialist in the production of olive oil and wine. Nearly 400 years later and still owned and operated by the same family, the estate continues to serve as the official location for the Agricola Buccelletti Winery. It also offers vacationers a glimpse into the traditional life of the Italian countryside near the Medieval hill town of Castiglion Fiorentino in southeast Tuscany.

Watching a Tuscany sunset from your villa pool is a great way to end a day.

Set amongst rolling hills, majestic landscapes and timeless architecture, the Buccelletti Family Estate provides a truly authentic Tuscan experience for couples, families and small groups. Your accommodations are 17^th century villas and apartments that combine rustic charm with 21^st century comfort. It’s also a great venue for destination weddings or romantic getaways.

Cruise & Travel Experts works closely with the Buccelletti family to offer a wide array of leisure activities designed to immerse visitors into life Under the Tuscan Sun. I personally enjoyed a most rewarding week in Castiglion Fiorentino last fall and can attest to the area’s authenticity, unlike so many tourist destinations today.

From wine and food tastings to grape harvesting, hikes in the Tuscan hills, guided tours of nearby towns and villages, and the art and history of Florence (an hour away), diverse optional activities enable guests to create their own Toscana vacation.

If your passion is great wine, you might opt for escorted private tours of family wineries in several of the notable wine regions of Tuscany. In addition to guided tours of Tuscan towns across the region, you may elect many other activities, including cooking classes, museum and shopping trips, as well as wine and olive oil tastings. Some people might prefer to explore the area on their own in a rented vehicle and that’s possible, too.

You also will enjoy visiting an ancient Etruscan site and browsing in the small shops and artists’ studios of nearby Castiglion Fiorentino (population 13,300) where you will appreciate opportunities to interact with local citizens.

A week at the Buccelletti Family Estate is truly a magical experience, especially since it was created just for you. While this travel opportunity is available throughout the year, the best times to visit the Buccelletti Estate are late spring and fall. Go in September and you can join the grape harvest; in late October or early November, you might participate in the olive harvest, if you so desire.

It’s an unforgettable way to visit authentic Tuscany because your vacation was personalized to whatever you wished to see, wished to do and, most importantly, wished to experience.