Tuscany is a State of Mind and Grace

This article originally appeared in FraxFinderA Tuscan State of Mind

In addition to Tuscany being an actual state in Italy, with ten regional provinces, 8000 square miles, 3.6million inhabitants, with Florence as its regional capital, it is also some thing else: a state of mind as well as a state of grace. It is a place where the countryside provides a clear contrast to its famed urban surroundings. The rolling hills, the ancient wineries that produce not only wine, but olive oil and lavender products, all exude an unusual sense of belonging combined with a palpable desire to remain.

It is no wonder, then, that the state of Tuscany is one of the most popular areas for all the destination clubs and private residence clubs. The clubs below have exceptional residences in the state (of grace and mind) of Tuscany:

Borgo di Vagli

Located in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, Borgo de Vagli is a quaint, meticulously restored 14th century Hamlet surrounded by a protected area of olive groves, fruit trees and ancient oaks. From the terraces, the member/owner can see panoramic views of the Tuscan hills, including an unimpeded view of the 10th-Century Pierle castle.

Borgo di Vagli is the result of a ten-year restoration project conceived and executed by renowned restoration engineer Fulvio Di Rosa, Fulvio's efforts have allowed Borgo di Vagli to maintain much of its original feel, atmosphere, and charm, without compromising modern day comforts. Borgo di Vagli is not for everyone. It is for those who enjoy the charm of ducking under 600 years old low doorways, catching scenic views through small windows cut through thick stone walls, and dining in a traditional candlelit Trattoria.

For those who wish to live the authentic Tuscan experience, Borgo di Vagli offers up to ten fractional ownerships for each residence equaling a 1/10 deed interest. Prices range from $85,000 for a one-bedroom residence to $130,000 for a two-bedroom, plus an annual management fee.

Castello di Casole

Surrounded by lush vineyards and olive groves, these 19 restored farmhouses are a mix of modern and traditional; 17th-century stone facades, glass-tiled infinity pools, private patios, wood-burning ovens and breathtaking views of the Tuscan hills. Fractional (1/10 shares) and full-ownership plans are available, with prices ranging from $585,000 for a fractional to over $6M for a wholly owned villa.

The Timbers Resorts, a leader in of luxury, boutique resorts have completed the final restoration and reconstructed farmhouse villas on 4,200 acres in the Tuscan countryside, about an hour outside Florence.

The Castello di Casole residences are organized around a series of glass-tiled, infinity-edge pools and hand-set stone patios complete with wood-burning ovens. Outside and in, one can trace the centuries across the hand-set loggias, terracotta vaulted ceilings and attention to exacting detail which makes each villa an individual expression of art and architecture. The farmhouse villas range from 3 to 5 bedrooms and include a private infinity-edged pool, with 4,000 to 7,000 square feet of living space. Furnishings are a collection of the finest interior appointments from local artisans and antiques gathered from throughout the region.

This historic estate is also home to the 18th-Century Castello, opening in spring of 2010 as an intimate hotel, with 41-suite plus penthouse. Formal and casual dining venues, terraces, pools, artisan shops and a world-class spa and fitness center will be available for an owner’s enjoyment.

Resort Equities

Resort Equities, an equity-based, boutique Private Residence Club, offers ownership opportunities at an exceptional 500 year-old restored farmhouse called Cologna Della Via. Nestled in the Tuscan town of Anghiari, on nearly twenty-plus acres of olive groves and cypress trees, the Cologna della Via 'compound' consists of four buildings including separate laundry and fitness rooms plus an infinity pool and veranda, with panoramic views of the Italian countryside. Cologna della Via's main house offers four bedrooms, four and one-half bathrooms as well as two parlors, two kitchens, a wet bar, dining room and two outdoor verandas. 

Cologna della Via is the first of 5 (to 10) exceptional residences in Tuscany that Resort Equities calls their "Bella Villa Collezione." A one-tenth ownership is priced at $425k to $450k depending on the time of year, and includes access to Resort Equities' exchange program with propertiesin San Francisco, Maui and Lake Tahoe.

Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club

A&K Residence Club was launched in September of 2008, and is the only club in the shared residence space whose roots lie in luxury travel. The residence club component is part of Abercrombie & Kent, a ½ century old luxury tour and safari operator. It is an equity-based destination club, and as such, the members own the club, and the club owns the homes, debt-free.

Pricing for this club range from $225,000 plus $17,000 annual dues for 15 nights to $495,000, with $42,000 dues for 45 nights. A&K Residence Club have four Villas in Tuscany:

Villa La Tenuta, Lucca

Situated amid the extensive gardens of a private 250-acre Tuscan estate, the Villa La Tenuta has been restored with modern comforts while keeping the original accents of Tuscan terracotta tiling and tremendous oak beamed ceilings.

Villa La Veduta, Lucca

With its name meaning “The View,” this stone farmhouse boasts some of Tuscany’s most breathtaking vistas. Situated on top of a hill within a sprawling 250-acre private Tuscan estate, the villa overlooks the rolling Tuscan hills on one side and the historic castle of Camugliano on the other.

For a musical retreat, there is a local chapel, just a two-minute walk away, featuring Sunday evening concerts in the summer.

Villa Bianca

Epitomizing the historic charm of a Tuscan villa, this picturesque property has been impeccably restored, keeping true to its origins and environment. Set in the heart of Chianti among a tranquil landscape of olive groves and vineyards, the sprawling residence is part of a private 30-acre estate complete with a private pool, spacious gardens and fruit orchards.

Villa Il Granaio

Villa il Granaio is a fully renovated farmhouse set amidst spectacular views of the Tuscan countryside – a quiet oasis of the famed Chianti region, still close enough for a daytrip to Florence, Arezzo and Siena.

Quintess

Quintess is a multiply-awarded high end destination club, whose members number about 500. Membership deposits range from $98,000 to approximately $800,000. With that deposit, members may access a portfolio of 80+ homes and experiences in 40+ destinations around the world with an average value of over $4.25 million each. One of these Quintess residences is a Villa near the town of Radda (in Chianti).

Located on 23 acres of Italian hillside with terraced gardens and views of the town of Radda, the Terra Toscana Villa is accented with Italian loggias, baked-clay masonry, and terracotta-marble and wood floors, providing enough accommodations for twelve guests. Originally a sixteenth century farmhouse, Terra Toscana is of a rural, Italian-vernacular architecture.

The 6,300-square-foot villa has six bedrooms laid-out amongst the main building and a guest apartment with separate entrance; both with private kitchens and living rooms. As is customary of Italian culture, social life revolves around food and wine, with the state-of-the-art kitchen with exposed-beam ceiling and the wine cellar with seating area as the focus.

Terra Toscana is located near the town of Radda in Chianti. Radda is ½ way between Siena and Florence.

The Hideaways Club

The Hideaways Club is a high end European based residence club, where each member owns a stake in the significant real estate portfolio. Pricing for the club ranges from $165,574 to $317.000. depending on the choice of period: priority, peak, mid-peak or off-peak.

The Podere Le Sensai is the Hideaways’ exceptional residence in Lajatico, Tuscany. It is a 150 year old restored farmhouse situated in a scenic area approximately two miles from the 12th century village of Lajatico and approximately 60 miles from the historic city of Florence. The property is set on two and a half acres of mature landscaped gardens that include a small olive grove and a swimming pool. Lajatico is the hometown of Andrea Bocelli and in the summer months, regular open air concerts and theatrical productions take place in the main piazzas of several of the surrounding town.