My parents visit Italy every year, but refuse to stay in our house with us when they come to Modena. They are really into having their own space and not invading OUR space. My mom remembers what it was like to have her in-laws visit from Italy when she was young and first married and vows that she will never "put me through that!"
Thanks mom!
This means, however, that when they come to Modena they stay in a little apartment in the centre of the city and they follow their own schedule, meaning that they're never out of the house before 10 am, always head back to make their own lunch and dinner, and we usually only see eachother for 2 hours a day!! They are getting old, and when you're dealing with "old people" the best thing to do is just let them do their own thing.
Even though they are in Italy for a few months out of the year we only usually see each other for 4 or 5 days! So this year I had a plan.....I did some research online and found 2 adjoining apartments in the Chianti hillside with a private pool, and the result was one of the BEST vacations together as a family I've ever had. My sister and her family joined us so we were 6 adults and 3 kids.
The Tenuta Villa Barberino della Famiglia Nunzi Conti
The Tenuta Nunzi Conti is a family run Vineyard that produces Chianti Classico wine and this week I will be introducing you to their inaugural wine, which for the first year is being sold under their new brand. Housed on hundreds of acres of land, the family offers their historic Villa for rent. The Villa is available for weekly rentals at 1600 euros a week, it is a large multi-room house with the central structure from the 1400s, updated with air conditioning and plenty of amenities. Since we were a smaller group I booked the two smaller apartments that are also available.
We were together, really together, just like when I was a kid, even though we were missing my younger sister and brother's family, it still felt so good to have a reunion where we were able to relax and live together just like old times. My favorite moments were the simplest, like my dad cleaning beans with Zeno, making a fort and having a glow in the dark balloon party with my niece and nephew and doing arts and crafts together on rainy days in.
We even had a party to celebrate my 35th birthday and decorated a home made cake together. We hung out by the pool and chatted about life, and dreams and problems and solutions. We had a picnic in the forest beside the vineyard and managed to explore a new part of Tuscany every day.
Amenities
You won't find air conditioning in the smaller apartments, and you probably won't need it considering the well-insulated ancient stone walls. you will find, however, a perfectly kept pool that is cleaned daily by the on-site manager, hammocks, bows and arrows, puppy dogs, wild deer, soccer balls and private patios for each apartment.
The small apartment was only 500 euro a week in high season and included a large bedroom, eat-in kitchen, washroom and laundry facilities, while the adjoining larger apartment had a big living room, two bedrooms, eat-in kitchen, large washroom and another washing machine. Both were filled with rustic country charm and we're already planning on booking another stay for the whole family in the large Villa with courtyard for 2017!
The Location - San Casciano Val Di Pesa
The wonderful thing about the location of the Tenuta Nunzi Conti was how close we were to the centre of Florence, a short half hour drive and we were already parking along the Arno River! Not to mention the fact that a 45-50 minute drive in ANY direction had us in Siena, Greve in Chianti or San Gimignano, all day trips we were able to enjoy stress-free.
Every town was an adventure to discover, and although the churches and panoramas were incredible, the photos I love are of all of us having a good time.
I also realized that I'm a little too hard on my old parents, I set some high expectations for them and I suppose that part of growing up is also accepting the people in your family for who they are and enjoying the moments that you are given to spend together.
Happy Thanksgiving to my family and Canadian friends and followers. On this lovely Monday I'm feeling nostalgic and enjoying the memories from my wonderful summer together with the people who mean the world to me.
Thank you to Antonio our incredible host and owner of the Tenuta Nunzi Conti, I will be introducing him to you soon!
Booking and Info
TENUTA VILLA BARBERINOVIA DI VILLA BARBERINO, 15
50020 SAN CASCIANO VAL DI PESA, located in the small fraction of MERCATALE VAL DI PESA, FIRENZE, ITALY
e-mail: info@tenutavillabarberino.com
Tel. +39 055 8218434 ask to speak to Antonio!
Booking can also be done online via Homeaway, here you can find the listing to both apartments and also their large Villa, available weekly.
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