Once upon a time (November 2023, to be exact), in the rolling hills of Umbria, I was lucky enough to experience the enchanting Reschio Estate. A place where a once crumbling castle has been lovingly restored, neighbouring ancient dwellings have been brought back to life, olive groves stretch into the horizon and every detail feels touched by a little magic.
And like every good fairytale, it helps to know where the story begins – so, where exactly is Reschio, and what makes it so special?
Where & What is Reschio?
Approximately 3 hours from Rome or 2 hours from Florence – right on the border of Umbria and Tuscany, you’ll find Reschio. The 1000+ year-old Italian estate was acquired by Count Benedikt Bolza and his family in 1984. They began renovations a decade later and to this day they continue to pour every ounce of their passion and love into this epic revival project.
Ancient and sprawling, the estate stretches over 1,500 hectares of wild Umbrian countryside.
At its heart stands a majestic castle – now home to the Palm Court Restaurant & Bar, the ethereal Bath House Spa and a collection of individually designed hotel rooms and suites. The Grand Suites, with their old-world glamour and sweeping views, were a personal favourite.
Beyond the castle walls, around half of the estate’s 40 farmhouses have been beautifully renovated. While most are privately owned – eight of the houses are available to rent. Each offer private pools, undisturbed views, and discreet service, with breakfast prepared each morning by a dedicated housekeeper.
Don’t expect rustic interiors, the entire restoration is a masterclass in chic, effortless, Italian flair.
Who Stays at Reschio?
While the price tag is most certainly geared to the luxury traveller (rates start at around £1200 per night), Reschio attracts a real mix of guests. Couples seeking romance and seclusion, extended families gathering in the spacious villas and wellness seekers drawn to the serenity of the Bath House.
How Long to Stay at Reschio?
A long weekend offers a tantalising introduction into Reschios’ magic, but in truth, I don’t think any amount of time could ever be ‘too long’. A week or even (dare I say it) a summer, would allow you to truly immerse yourself into the slower pace of life that’s impossible to avoid here.
What to Experience at Reschio?
From culinary offerings including cooking lessons, truffle hunting, extra virgin olive oil and wine tastings, to long time traditional crafting skills such as ceramics, fabric dying and embroidery workshops. Or, for the more active; horse riding, biking, tennis or paddle boarding on the lake – there are so many incredible experiences on offer at Reschio you’ll be spoilt for choice. To help make decisions a little easier, here are my top stand out experiences…
Take an early morning dip.
Sneak out at first light and take a dip in the stunning outdoor heated pool. With the castle reflecting in the water, soft morning light and warm steam rising in front of the cascading landscape, it really is a magical ‘pinch me’ moment.
Learn about the skill of dressage.
Spend some time watching and learning from world renowned horse trainer, Antonello Radicchi; a master of the art of dressage, it was a joy (and an honour) to witness the stunning, purebred, white Spanish horses put on an amazing ‘bitless’ dressage display. The stables and arena are a work of art in themselves!
Take a ride through the estate.
If you’ve read some of my previous blogs, it’s no secret that I’m an avid horse lover and adore riding whenever the opportunity arises. Having the chance to ride one of the magnificent Spanish horses across the estate and around the lake felt like a dream. Spending time exploring the grounds of Reschio is an absolute must and doing so on horseback is a truly special experience.
Taste olive oil like a pro.
Produced from the centuries old olive trees found across the estate, Reschio’s own oils are superb and a tasting session comparing other brands really highlights their superior quality. I defy anyone not to leave with a few bottles in their case – you just don’t get this grade of oil in UK supermarkets.
Cook like a local.
With their own beautiful onsite cookery school (located next to Ristorante Alle Scuderie), I can think of few places I’d rather take the time to enjoy a lesson in ‘how to make the perfect Italian ravioli, risotto and tiramisu’. Using locally sourced ingredients (many of which are grown on the estate), we spent a few hours perfecting the dishes from scratch, before sitting down to enjoy our efforts for dinner, paired with the perfect white wine picked from the estate wine cellar.
Enjoy a spa experience like no other.
Described on Reschios’ website as ‘otherworldly’, I can think of no better adjective to describe the Bath House. Located in the castle’s ancient cellars, it really is one of the most tranquil, dreamy spa and relaxation spaces I’ve ever had the pleasure of enjoying. From the large salt-water Roman Bath lit only by candles and shimmers of light from the high, narrow windows, to the tropical shower cascading from the ceiling, and vaulted hammam and sauna, you feel like you have entered somewhere very special, spiritual almost.
My time in the Bath House started with soaking up the steam of the hammam and heat of the sauna before moving to my private treatment suite. I have never seen a spa suite like it! Once the original red wine cellar, the transformation into a unique wellness space is nothing short of spectacular. – picture a huge open fireplace, twin muslin lined bathtubs, twin massage tables, relaxing daybed and private shower room.
My treatment consisted of an invigorating full body brush followed by a bespoke bathing ritual, something I had never experience before.
My therapist Michela ran one of the free standing baths, adding almond oil, sea salt, honey and mixture of herbs. Covering me with another muslin cloth for privacy, I enjoyed soaking in the bath while she gently washed my back, arms, legs and face. I was then left to relax with a cup of herbal tea, and the sounds of the fire crackling in the background – absolute heaven! The ritual ended with a steam shower and I stepped out from the experience feeling almost re-born! It’s such a caring and nurturing treatment and one that I would highly recommended putting to the top of your travel wish list.
In Summary…
Reschio is far more than an ordinary hotel experience – it casts a spell that’s impossible to resist and honestly, why would you want to? I would return in a heartbeat, eager to experience it’s magic again and again.
If a stay in this beautiful part of Italy sounds like your dream escape, please do get in touch. I would love to help make it a reality.
