Activities

For those who love stylish simplicity, a taste of tradition, combined with luxury and comfort, the weekend will have options that can satisfy your every whim!

The formal organized activities will begin late afternoon each Friday, Saturday and Sunday, details can be found on the Schedule of Events tab of the website.  Outside of that, the weekend will be left up to you to take advantage of the truly remarkable Il Borro estate and region of Tuscany!

One of the deciding factors in selecting Il Borro was that it offers a wide variety of activities without having to leave the property.  The size of the estate means that there are great opportunities for walking, running, hiking and cycling.  There will be detailed maps which will indicate some of the paths and trails and these will be available when you arrive.  Bicycles are available for hire from reception as well as equipment for games of tennis and golf on the driving range.  An incredible way to experience the estate is on horseback.  Take a splendid trail ride on one of Il Borro’s 30-some horses, and enjoy the vineyards and natural beauty in a whole new way.

In part, some of the activities that you will be able to engage in over the weekend include:

  • An enchanting morning or afternoon trail ride through the Italian countryside
  • A breathtaking flight in a glider or hot air balloon in the warm silent spring air
  • A simple country walk to retrace the footsteps and inspiration of Leonardo da Vinci
  • A visit to one of the beautiful castles or abbey’s of Valdarno
  • A cooking lesson where your senses will be awoken to the beautiful aromas and flavors that the produce of the land in the Valdarno Valley is known for
  • A stroll through the Medieval Village where old world craftsmanship comes alive at the shops of the shoemaker, the joiner, the wood-turner and the goldsmith
  • A jewelry or pottery making lesson from the industrious hands of the village artisans who still make their living as their forefathers have done for hundreds of years
  • A morning on the driving range in its stunning setting with panoramic views of Mount Pratomagno
  • A tennis match on one of several beautiful courts
  • A ride on mountain bikes, discovering the enchanting forests with wild peacocks at your leisure
  • An afternoon of art and wine tasting, savoring the world class Il Borro wine produced on the estate in stunning wine caves, one of which is seven hundred years old!

For those of you that would rather relax and unwind, or do something a little less strenuous, there are also a number of other options available, such as taking advantage of the La Corte Spa.  Please see the Spa page on this website for the extensive list of wonderful treatments available.

Day trips in the local area also offer a wealth of options, with Siena, Florence, San Gimigiano and Pisa all within striking distance, as well as smaller towns such as Arezzo and Montevarchi, which have traditional local markets.

And those of you that want to treat yourselves to some designer threads at bargain prices, many of the world famous Italian Fashion Houses such as Prada, Gucci, Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana, and of course Salvatore Ferragamo have shopping outlets in the vicinity.  Driving directions on how to reach them will be provided in your information package on arrival.

Cultural Sightseeing in one of the Historic Towns

Florence - A centre of medieval European Trade and Finance, the city is often considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and was long ruled by the Medici family. Florence is also famous for its magnificent art and architecture. It is said that, of the 1,000 most important European artists of the second millennium, 350 lived or worked in Florence. The city has also been called the Athens of the Middle Ages. The city center is a 45 minute drive from Il Borro.

San Gimignano – The Medieval Manhattan. San Gimignano rises on a hill dominating the Elsa Valley with its towers (back then there were no Ferraris for indicating a man’s ‘assets’). Once the seat of a small Etruscan village of the Hellenistic period (200-300 BC), the town increased in wealth and developed greatly during the Middle Ages thanks to the “Via Francigena” the trading and pilgrim’s route that crossed it. Such prosperity lead to the flourishing of works of art to adorn the churches and monasteries.

Siena – Siena, like other Tuscan hill towns, was first settled in the time of the Etruscans (c. 900 BC to 400 BC) when it was inhabited by a tribe called the Saina. In the years 1150-1300 great artists were discovered and the city was adorned with beautiful monuments such as the Duomo, the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia. With a diverse group of rulers from the 14th -19th centuries, including Emperor Charles V and Cosimo I de’ Medici, Siena grew in economic power. It prospers today from a combination of finance and tourism, thanks to its beautiful artistic heritage.