Set in Umbria but with classic Tuscan views, cherished guests stay in the exquisite Hotel Castello di Reschio or its historic farmhouses in this 1 500-ha sanctuary.
Given its ancient history dating back to the Etruscans, there is some gentle irony in Reschio’s recent inclusion in Condé Nast Traveller’s prestigious Hot List of the Best New Addresses Around the World. What is new, however, is that guests can now call this idyllic estate home, whether for days or weeks. In 2021 the Count and Countess Bolza opened the doors of the meticulously restored thousand-year-old castle that is the centrepiece of their magical estate. The estate is in the countryside on the very edge of Umbria, with views disappearing over the rolling hills of Tuscany. Whether you choose to be a cherished guest in the exquisite Hotel Castello di Reschio or prefer the private sanctuary of one of eight historic, exquisitely appointed farmhouses set in the magical wilderness of this 1 500-hectare estate, you will find yourself utterly enchanted.
When Count and Countess Antonio Bolza first made Reschio their family holiday retreat in 1984, they had no idea that the vast, overgrown Umbrian estate concealed a multitude of ancient ruined farmhouses and a castle on which construction first began in the year 900. For the family, the estate was a chance to restore the surrounding Italian countryside to its natural glory. The result is a timeless capsule of Italy as it once was and always should be: dense oak forests, wild flower meadows, rolling hills, shady olive groves and the air heady with the sounds and scents of birds, insects and wild animals that find sanctuary here.
As their children grew up, the dream of sharing this unspoilt utopia with like-minded souls became a reality. Their son, Count Benedikt Bolza, who studied architecture in London, lent his considerable expertise to creating award-winning homes from the once-ruined farmhouses. (Architectural Digest hails Count Benedikt as one of the 10 best architects working today.) Each of the eight magnificent, completely unique villas keeps to the footprint of original farmhouse, and every one of them maximises its location, with undisturbed views of the surrounding Reschio wilderness. The beautifully decorated houses, with their lush gardens, swimming pools and grounds, create a private sanctuary for you to share with your family and friends.
For the family, the reincarnation of the castle into the truly magnificent 36-room Hotel Castello di Reschio was a fantasy brought to life. As you pass through the entrance where the working florist is artfully arranging wildflowers destined for your suite, you are overcome with a sense of wellbeing. Stroll via the bar to the light- and plant-filled conservatory, where the grand piano is a subtle hint of the jazz and classical performances that bring summer evenings to life. At Reschio you have the sense that the clock has stopped to fix you in an era of sublime rustic perfection. Extravagantly luxurious yet understated, the interiors with their bespoke furnishings ooze style and comfort.
The two restaurants – Ristorante Al Castello and the less formal Ristorante Alle Scuderie – both prove that ingredients are taken very seriously indeed at Reschio. The menus feature the estate’s own organically grown produce and seasonally foraged flavours. Delicious fare, spectacular views and high-glam interiors will have you lingering over your meals in true Italian style.
What we love!
• A delightful sense of extravagance: you park and are whisked up to the hotel in a Land Rover and discover that everyone is dressed in period outfits! And, of course, everything’s rustic yet picture-perfect.
• Each suite is impressively beautiful and different – heaven for couples looking for a romantic escape.
• The Bathhouse, where the castle’s ancient wine cellars below the Palm Court have been transformed into a steamy spa retreat offering holistic therapeutic treatments to soothe and delight.
• The weekly dressage performances by Count Antonio Bolza’s pure-bred Spanish horses at Reschio’s famous equestrian centre. Count Bolza founded his stud in 1999, and the stables are home to some of the world’s most skilled dressage horses.
• If you’re staying in one of the farmhouses, you’ll love the food-delivery service: order seasonal delicacies, handmade pastas and sauces, delectable extras and estate and regional wines that can be brought to your house whenever suits you.
• Book a private lake cabin for a day of tranquil magic. Here you can relax in utter peace on the wooden deck, take a dip in the lake’s mirror-smooth waters or glide out on a paddleboard, and tuck into a delicious fresh picnic. Or simply laze at the infinity pool, which mirrors the appearance of a lake.
• If all the relaxing and lounging about has you begging for a bit of action, explore the kilometres of tracks that wind through the estate on a bicycle or e-bike, which can be hired on the spot. Or knock a ball about on one of the Astroturf tennis courts, try your hand at clay-pigeon shooting, or take a nature hike with the head gamekeeper.
• A favourite activity of ours when exploring new places is to take cooking lessons – what better way to immerse yourself in the culinary heritage and ingredients of an area? Reschio’s cooking school leads you on foraging walks through the grounds to pick what takes your fancy, and then shows you how to transform the best of their local produce into delicious Italian meals.
• If you’re not planning to rent a car, Reschio’s estate drivers know their way around, whether you need a quick hop from the airport, or a full-day excursion around Tuscany and Umbria’s delightful hilltop villages and medieval towns. Helicopter trips are also available on request.
• If you fall in love with the bespoke furnishings, order your own from the in-house design studio belonging to the architect/owner, Count Benedikt.
What you need to know ….
• Perugia Airport is conveniently close by, just a 45-minute drive away, and Florence airport is two hours to the north.
• Children of all ages are most welcome.
• The location is hilly and while there are accessible public areas and plenty of specially-adapted rooms with either ground-floor or elevator access, if mobility is an issue, you may need some assistance.
• The hotel closes for winter, from mid-November to mid-March.
• If you’d like to explore beyond the estate, try the wine-tasting tours of the Sangiovese wine region, or visit Assisi, Cortona, Siena, Perugia and Arezzo, which are all within an hour’s drive of Reschio. If you’d like to keep things rural, take a ferry to the minute fishing village of Isola Maggiore, which has just 35 permanent residents.