A perfect medieval castle overlooks the hamlet "borgo" that has been turned into a vacation village with ten accommodations as well as a four room B&B. The views of the Chianti hills are open and lovely.

Between Siena and Arezzo, a little off the beaten track, the fairy tale castle of Bucine rises from the hills of Tuscany. The hamlet next to the castle has been transformed into a vacation village with luxury apartments and villas.

And all of Chianti and Tuscany lie beyond with so many fabled towns and villages to explore, you will be torn between enjoying your village or visiting new ones. You are, amazingly, a fifteen minute drive from the A1 highway that links Rome with Florence, but unless you know how to find this property, it is unlikely you will discover it. Arezzo, famous for its antiques market, charm, and medieval jousting is half an hour's drive. Siena is a 45 minute drive, Florence an hour, and Rome's airport about three hours. You can avoid driving into Florence by catching the local train that gets you right into the center of that city in an hour.

The restaurant that serves six days a week during mid and high season is a real bonus. Breakfast is included with the B&B rooms and is available to apartment and cottage residents for an extra charge. Dinner served five nights: M,T,Th,F,Sat. There is a small bar and local wine and olive oil are available for purchase.

This lovely property has so much to offer to the vacationer whether a couple or an extended family. The variety of accommodations welcomes mixed groups and family reunions, too. Close to well-known towns like Arezzo and Siena, it also lets you wander solitary among the olive groves and ancient hills.

The property has 700 acres of woods, olive groves and vineyards to wander. An unrestored borgo used for farm purposes lies a hundred yards down the road and just beyond is a fishing lake. Fishing poles are available. The large, sunny swimming pool (26x66 feet or 8x20m) is almost competition size. You may reserve cycling tours, guided walks and treks, and private or group cooking lessons.

The accommodations merit four stars, luxurious but not opulent. The restorations have been beautifully done, respecting the ancient architectural elements and providing wonderful views. The furnishings are of a high quality. The apartments have air conditioning in the bedrooms, external telephone lines, well-equipped kitchens, and satellite TV for English language news programs, placing these accommodations a cut above many.

This spacious apartment has multiple living rooms; a living room with working fireplace plus a separate sitting room. that opens out onto the rear terrace. There are two bedrooms and two bathrooms, one with a queen sized bed, the other with twins.

On the second floor (American designation) a second living room with another fire place allows the second floor to host a second family, if you like, with some privacy. There is a sofa bed that will sleep two. The second floor bedroom is under the eves and has a queen sized bed.