12th Century Villa in Breathtaking Tuscany

I held my Tuscan wedding here, and it was everything we could have asked for. We had the villa full of guests from all over the world for the best part of a week, and everything worked to perfection. Elena, Filippo, Serge, Rina the amazing chef and all their helpers worked tirelessly to put together a flawless event that we will never forget. We could not have dreamed up a more perfect location for our wedding.

While the house and grounds are really spectacular, what I will most remember about Le Pianore are the wonderful owner and her team. Fillipo, the owner's delightful son, went above and beyond the call of duty and attended to our every whim, including arranging the most wonderful and exclusive wine tasting experiences. Since I am from California wine country, I am not easily impressed, but what Fillipo arranged were private tours in the most sought-after Brunello estates, such as Sesti, with the “guides” being the winemakers themselves. Fillipo arranged numerous private lunches for us throughout the beautiful valley, and worked innumerable hours to make us happy.

Then there was Rina, the private chef that comes optional with the house. After first tasting her food the first night, we all voted to have her back for much of every evening. Spectacular gourmet meals easily worth three times what she charged us (definitely ask her to make lasagna, and the special lamb dish, but I seriously do not remember one meal that wasn’t outstanding).

Elena, the gracious, gregarious and beautiful owner of the property was always around making sure that we were treated like royalty, and, of course, we were. She treated us to some wonderful memories that I will never forget.

As others have written, Le Pianore is a huge, lovely and very private estate, with fantastic views and authentic details. One of my favorite aspects was running for 3 miles every day inside ton beautiful country roads and never leaving their vast property. While the tiny town of Monticello is just a few minutes drive from the property, it’s the next town over, Castel del Piano, a short 20-minute drive, that is absolutely the must-see. Not yet on the tourist trail, but you better get there fast and explore the jaw-dropping beauty of their medieval and Renaissance streets before someone writes, "Under Castel del Piano's Sun." Grazie mille, Elena and Fillipo, for your incredible hospitality. Tre urrà per la bella Napolese!

My wife and I like to travel to new places when we go abroad, but that will change after our stay at Le Pianore. We spent two weeks there and have had no experience that could equal it. Elena and her family embody hospitality and graciousness. If you want to explore Tuscany, have a quiet getaway with beautiful scenery, or a bit of both, you must stay here.