Borgo Merlo Italy

You will find Borgo Merlo in the verdant Chianti hills in the heart of Tuscany. The accommodation here comprises three neighbouring homes that share landscaped gardens. This serene, rural base is a fantastic place to stay with a large group of friends or family and from here, you can enjoy trips to nearby villages and cities such as Florence and Siena.
This pretty hamlet of historic farmhouses is part of a vast 800-acre estate which offers guests complete privacy amidst vineyards, olive groves and dense, ancient woodlands. As well as the hamlet where you will be staying, the estate also boasts several other buildings, including an 11th-century Romanesque church and a castle now used for music events and private celebrations. 
As you approach Borgo Merlo through the manicured grounds, you will find three stone homes, all close to each other, which can sleep twenty guests between them. Casa Una is the largest of the dwellings and can sleep eight guests. It has huge living areas where you can come together over evening drinks. Following these, there is a dining room where everyone can gather for dinner unless you prefer to dine al-fresco. The home also has a chic, well-equipped kitchen with everything you need to prepare meals for your party. Upstairs are two double bedrooms and one family-sized bedroom with a double bed and a sofa bed.
Just opposite is Casa Duo, which has five bedrooms, a bright and airy living room and a fully-fitted kitchen spread over two floors. The final dwelling is Casa Tre, with a gym, sauna and one double bedroom. 
The garden has an inviting private pool, a jacuzzi, covered dining terraces and seating areas. There is also a vegetable garden where you can pick some fresh produce and use the pizza oven to make your own pizzas for dinner. 
If you can bring yourself to leave Borgo Merlo, you can get to know the authentic heart of Tuscany by visiting nearby villages and walking scenic trails through the countryside. Some villages you could visit include Lecchi in Chianti, 5km away, Radda in Chianti, 8km away and Gaiole in Chianti, 14km away. These villages all have their own charm and character and are steeped in history. 
You can also visit one of the vineyards that make up the Chianti wine region, where you can sample delicious wines, take tours of the cellars and the grounds and learn more about wine production. 
Siena (32km away) and Florence (62km away) are a little further out. These magical, medieval cities are amazing places to spend the day and are filled with historical, artistic and cultural attractions. Borgo Merlo enjoys an idyllic countryside setting where you can walk, cycle, and take leisurely picnics on the expansive grounds and the wider estate. When you wish to head out for the day, you can choose between villages and towns such as Radda in Chianti, 8km away, or lively cities such as Siena, 32km away. 
While holidaying in the Chianti area in Tuscany, it would be a shame to miss out on a visit to one of the local vineyards. The countryside enveloping the home is dotted with family-run vineyards and wineries which have produced wine for centuries. The 800-acre estate in which Borgo Merlo is set even has its own vast vineyard.
For a unique day out, why not visit Castello di Ama, 4.5km from the villa. The Castello is a stunning place with vineyards offering tours, wine tastings and a large shop to stock up on a few bottles for dinner. In addition, the Castello is also known for its art, as the estate is filled with contemporary art installations and sculptures by world-class artists.
When you wish to dine out in the evenings or pick up some fresh groceries, many towns and villages are within easy reach. The closest is Lecchi in Chianti which is just 5km away and is a small hamlet with a few rustic inns and pretty buildings on a hillside. From here, countless hiking and cycling routes through serene rolling hills can also be enjoyed on horseback. 
If you are out walking in the area on a hot day, then the Pozze di Lecchi, a series of pools fed by natural springs, will be most welcome and a lovely spot for a summer dip. In the area around Lecchi, you will also find many castles erected when Florence and Siena warred over this region; some castles are Castello di Brolio and Castello di Meleto, both part of luxurious wine estates now. 
For a wider range of shops, cafes and restaurants, you can drive 8km to Radda in Chianti. This rambling, medieval town is a lovely place to wander around, and you can stop off and see the Church of San Niccolò, the Palazzo dei Podestà and the restored centuries-old homes which line the atmospheric squares. 
If you would like to spend a day visiting one of Tuscany’s amazing cities, then why not visit Siena, which is just 32km away. To see as much as possible, you should set off early to beat the crowds at some of the best-loved attractions, such as the stunning Duomo and the Palazzo Publico. You can climb up the Torre del Mangia, which is 800 years old, for the best views over the city. Horse lovers visiting in July or August should attend the Palio di Siena, a horse race held in the city twice a year. The whole town comes alive for the Palio, and you will see parades with medieval costumes, plus festivities filling the streets.