Medici Villa of Lilliano WineEstate

Have you ever arrived at a lodging where, from the very first moment, you feel like you’re being welcomed by family? That’s exactly how we felt as soon as we walked into Villa Lilliano, and that feeling stayed with us throughout our entire stay. Getting there is easy, whether you come from Grassina or Antella, the two closest towns—which, by the way, both have great dining options. The parking area is very convenient and surrounded by centuries-old olive trees, creating the perfect atmosphere to make you feel immersed in the heart of Chianti. The reception is just a short walk away, and the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a smile—in Italian, English, and even fluent Spanish. Checking in feels as warm and friendly as arriving at the home of friends, and they personally escort you to your villa. The surroundings of the villas are simply perfect: nature everywhere and beautifully curated aesthetics that truly capture the spirit of the region, balancing traditional Tuscan charm with modern touches that add comfort and practicality. As soon as you step inside the villa, you immediately feel at home, while still preserving the elegant Medici aura and that unmistakable feeling of truly being on vacation. The living room, bedrooms, bathrooms, dining area—everything feels warm, cozy, and inviting. Every detail makes you want to stay longer than originally planned. Everything is immaculate, and everything fits perfectly together. Our villa’s terrace faced east, with an olive tree right in the middle that made the whole scene feel almost magical. The pool framing the landscape and the valley in the background create a postcard-worthy view you simply never forget. And then your breath is taken away when they show you that, from there, you can even see Florence’s Duomo. It’s incredible to be surrounded by vineyards and olive groves while having one of Italy’s most beautiful cities visible in the distance. During our stay, the weather was perfect, but they also explained that, if needed, the entire villa could be cooled or heated—very good to know for a future summer visit. And the beds? Absolutely amazing. I slept better than I have in a very long time. We also had the opportunity to take the tour of the historic villa. They told us all about its history: who lived there, what it was used for, and the stories behind it. The building itself is magnificent. The inner courtyard, the frescoes at the original entrance, the staircase designed for horses, the original fireplace they preserved in the kitchen—it’s all extraordinary. The gardens feel straight out of a fairy tale, and the scenery beyond them is equally breathtaking. We even crossed paths with one of the members of the original family, who still lives there today. We finished the visit with an olive oil tasting, where they taught us how to truly appreciate this world-renowned product and explained the different varieties produced by the villa. They also offer wine tastings, but since we were traveling with our children, we decided to save that experience for another time. Every time we asked for recommendations—restaurants, how to get to Florence, what to do nearby, even where to park the car to avoid fines—they answered with incredible kindness and attention to detail. A special mention goes to Camilla, Carlotta, Mateo, and Monica, who undoubtedly made our stay far more enjoyable and effortless. Another highlight is the villa’s location. Being only 20 minutes from Florence while simultaneously immersed in the heart of the Chianti region makes it logistically perfect. Tuscan gems such as Greve in Chianti, Montefioralle, and Badia a Passignano are only 25–30 minutes away by car. Others like Volpaia, San Gimignano, and Monteriggioni are less than an hour away. It’s the ideal place to use as a base for exploring Tuscany, with the freedom to go back and forth to Florence as often as you like—almost as if you were staying in the historic center—without missing the chance to feel, for a few days, like a true Tuscan enjoying “una bella vita in campagna.”