Sarah and Brian Asbill
We honestly can’t recall how we first heard about Borgo di Vagli but, when we learned about it, we were determined to eventually make a trip to experience it. We finally made our first visit in the summer of 2017 and the entire experience was even better than anticipated. Just driving into the property was an adventure with several wild boar greeting us along the road to the hamlet! The hamlet itself is so beautifully and authentically restored. Each residence has a unique character and each terrace a different and wonderful view. As we sat on one of the terraces under the vines on our first night there, looking out over the Pierle Castle, we knew that this was a special place that we would want to return to in subsequent years so that we could more fully experience all that it had to offer.
The staff at Vagli were absolutely wonderful! They were so willing to make reservations for whatever was needed, whether dinner reservations in Cortona or bike rentals at Lago Trasimeno. When we mentioned that we would like to visit the Etruscan museum, we were provided with admission tickets and it was suggested which restaurant might be nice for lunch after our tour. We found our welcome packet to be especially useful in planning the day’s activities as it listed for us the various events taking place in the region, which hiking paths might be fun to try, and which surrounding towns might be best for a day trip.
We sensed right away that there was a family-type atmosphere at Vagli that is unique in today’s world. Our favourite experience was pizza Monday, especially the reception before dinner which allowed us to meet many of the other owners from around the world and Fulvio himself. We were already impressed by the quality of the hamlet’s restoration, but the quality of the people involved, both staff and owners, was what ultimately led to the decision to become owners ourselves. How many places are there in the world where one can sit around a table with such a fascinating group of people while drinking outstanding Tuscan wines and sharing the adventures of the day?
For us, the investment in ownership is more an investment in lifestyle than a financial one. We likely cannot return this year with all that has already been planned in advance but we are patient and look forward to our return trip to experience more of the region, to become reacquainted with Vagli's lovely staff and to meet new friends who also value what makes Vagli so unique.
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