Connecticut, USA

Chuck and Carol Hamilton,

Chuck’s story…From our first visit to Italy, we wanted more: to visit more, see more, and in some ineffable way to delve deeper what is such a fascinating part of the world. We knew we would feel at home in Italy (and also knew we didn’t want to buy a home). We wanted to settle in, explore and revisit amazing towns, cities and vistas. We wanted to relax and breath in the rejuvenating air.I saw several ads for time-shares in Italy, but had never been convinced of the value of investing. And the printed materials I did see of these places presented facilities that looked fake and were very, very expensive. Then I saw a small piece in The New York Times about Borgo di Vagli. The next time in Italy we visited. I still remember turning that corner and seeing Pierle Castle and then the drive up to this unassuming and delightful small hamlet. Borgo was not just truly authentic, it had a private and understated feeling of solid quality. It was the kind of low-key and romantic “home” we wanted.We talked to our two sons and arranged to make the purchase in their names. I guess the best way to put it is that we all see purchasing at Borgo as an investment in our lives. On the next trip, our younger son, Douglas joined us. Simply getting lost during our hikes was a highlight.Since I have annual business nearby, Borgo became a perfect place for us for those few days a year. And it is so much more. It is a base for travelling. We love to visit and revisit so many places. I am sure I will regret this someday, but most of the time in our travels in Tuscany and Umbria, I now forget to bring a map. We rarely get lost now and when we do, it is lovely. We have particularly come to appreciate much of Umbria. Whether it is Cortona in Tuscany or Montefalco 90 minutes away in Umbria, we love both the familiarity we feel and exploring deeper into what is new.Perhaps most important for me, Borgo is a true respite. I can work if I have to, but it is a place to relax, read, walk, explore and “recharge my batteries”.------Carol’s story…The landscape of Tuscany and Umbria is incomparable and enhanced by this sensitively restored 14th century hamlet. The surrounding hill towns of Italy have given birth to a legacy of fine art and it is a pleasure to roam the region, with or without a plan, and visit its churches and museums.Apart from Italy’s fine art and landscape, the fruits of Tuscany and Umbria have become my particular interest. As a botanical artist and illustrator, I have been studying the tree fruits, many of which surround the hamlet. I am currently painting a series of tree fruits. I have begun with peaches, plums, cherries, apricot and figs, and am gathering research photos and sketches for pomegranate, pear, almond, apple, olive and chestnuts.While we thoroughly enjoy Borgo’s own celebrated I’cche c’é c’é an additional blessing we have is the opportunity to indulge in the local markets and bring back to the residence an abundance of the region’s seasonal bounty. We have been fortunate to bring back fresh porcini mushrooms, chestnuts, artichokes, homemade pastas and gnocchi, along with regional wines and cheeses. We often recall driving into the hills to visit a local cheese maker and his goats, and happily returning to Borgo with goat cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves. On our return drive we stopped at the roadside to gather our own chestnuts as they lay enticingly on the road back to Borgo. Icing on the cake was that our stay last year coincided with Pierle’s Festa della Castagna. We enjoyed making new Italian friends at this hometown chestnut festival.It is the story of our busy lives that we don’t get to Borgo as often as we would like. Still, it is a regular part of our lives. (We have always been able to come when we have wanted to.) And yet, we talk and think of it often. Knowing that a small bit of it is “ours” is one of the most satisfying decisions we have made. We couldn’t be more pleased or more comfortable with our Borgo “habit”!

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