"Our" Tuscan Villa

Our 4 night stay at Villa Lecchi has been nothing short of spectacular.

Mel's photo of the villa from afar

 Tucked high above the Tuscan hills, the scenery is the backdrop for an amazing historical residence.

View from the villa

Here are some highlights of its history:
*Dates back to at least 1500
*The structure was completely modified in 1821 except for a structure known as the "farmhouse" because that was its principle purpose.  It remains virtually unchanged since 1500.  That is where our room is.

The outter door to our room is on the right

*Before WWII the property was approximately 1,000 hectares  (1 hectare =2.5 acres).
*The villa was heavily damaged by bombs during WWII and changed hands many times including, for a short time, becoming a home for disadvantaged children.

The bomb shelter

*In 1991 the villa was purchased by an Italian man and his wife who, with huge bank loans at 17% interest, set out to transform the property into the magnificent hotel and restaurant we see today.

Menu for our first dinner at the villa

 Breakfast buffet

*The third generation of that family is running the business today with help from the fourth generation.

Today we saw a wedding party having the reception at the villa, complete with a photographer using a drone.  What a gorgeous scene!!