Borgo Finicchieto is a convenient 90-minute drive south of the Florence Airport, and about 2 ½ hourse from Rome. Private jets can land at Siena, less than a half-hour away. The nearest villages are Buonconvento (10 minutes) and Bibbiano (5 minutes).

The Borgo has 22 guest suites in all. The manor house has nine suites; eight of these are conveniently in
pairs of two, permitting parents to be in a private section with their children in the adjoining suite. Then,
there are four private houses; one has five ensuite bedrooms and especially large kitchen, living room
and dining areas; another has four ensuite bedrooms and equally spacious gathering rooms and terraces; two other small, private houses have two bedrooms each, as well as their own kitchens and dining areas. All accommodations have the finest bed linens (Mascagni) and bathroom linens (Ugolini), and beds are the incomparable Temper-pedic. Bathrooms are large and well-equipped; double sinks, towel-warming racks, steam showers, Jacuzzi baths. There are in-room fridges stocked with complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks.

All bedrooms are spacious, high-ceilinged, air-conditioned and, perhaps most importantly, enjoy remarkable views of the countryside through charming shuttered windows.

Breakfasts with some of the finest pastries this writer has ever had (!) are provided in the rate. Dinners,
which tend to be wonderfully protracted affairs in the ancient outside courtyards, are prepared by the
owner's chef, a 20-year student of Paul Bocuse. Specialties of the house include: Parmesan Souffle,
fresh pappardelle and wild boar ragu, wild mushroom soup under a pastry crust, and strawberry-almond
crostata with Chantilly cream.

The Borgo has resort-level recreational amenities, which is unique in European countryside inns and villas. There is a graceful, view-arresting oval swimming pool, a well-equipped exercise room sharing the same amazing view, a spa with large Jacuzzi and cooling-off pool, steam and dry heat rooms, a tennis court that converts to a half-basketball court, a lovely walking path around the property, and mountain bikes for rides to the several nearby villages. And what would a stay in Italy be without a bacce court?

there are over 200 wineries within 15 miles, one of which wasWine Spectator's 2006Wine of the Year. Siena is just 30 minutes away, with its medieval cathedrals, the Piazza del Campo (one of the largest, most significant piazzas in Europe), and its many art galleries. And Florence can be done by
train - a comfortable two-hour ride - for those wanting that city's cultural and shopping attractions. Popular excursions with an hour's drive of the Borgo are San Gimignano, Volterra, Perugia and Cortina. For those who must get to the ocean, there is a privately owned beach at La Valetta, one hour away.

The entire property can be rented for rates beginning at €360 daily per person, for between 18 and 44 guests; this arrangement provides for rare privacy for important family celebrations or high-level
conferences. Or, each of the four private houses, with two-to-four suites, may be rented for smaller families or groups. A full breakfast is included in all rates. Meal plans, highly recommended in this case because of the excellence of the kitchen, are available.