Casa Cares

The produce they grow themselves tastes amazing, and the newly done ensuite bathroom was a real plus. This restored country house sits on a Tuscan hill with breathtaking views. It’s peaceful and relaxing, with great food, and it’s also a perfect base for hiking tours. The rooms are simple and rustic. Our family room had five, or maybe even six, comfortable single beds. Highly, highly recommend!

It’s a restored Casa, so don’t expect a modern hotel, though it has all the amenities. The food is excellent, and it’s a lovely, very quiet place to escape the bustle and heat of Florence. It’s only about an hour away.

Once you’ve driven up the steep driveway to Casa Cares, the views over the quiet Tuscan valley are beautiful. The rooms are basic and the bathrooms are shared, but the staff deserve six stars. There are gathering rooms, most with fireplaces, and the kitchen team serves groups meals featuring local favorites. There’s a lot of history in the centuries-old main villa, the separate farmhouse boarding rooms, and the chapel. Paul was born in America, speaks Italian fluently, and knows a great deal about the property’s history, Reggello’s restaurants, and things to see in Tuscany’s historic towns, including Piza, Lucca, Siena, and Florence/Firenza. Giovanni looks after the olive groves and vegetable gardens and is happy to talk about sustainable farming and the produce. They also sell their own excellent olive oil, honey, and wines, though it isn’t really a gift shop.

I love coming back to Casa Cares. It feels like such an authentic Italian villa, the food is outstanding, and the people make you feel like family.