Donna Nencia Bolza’s first encounter with Castello di Reschio could have been written by Austen or a Brontë. A princess from Florence’s ancient Corsini family and a talented artist, she arrived at the 2,700-acre estate – a reverie encamped on the Tuscany-Umbria border – to paint frescoes at a house built in the shadow of a crumbling millennium-old castle.
The estate draws on the good food, good wine and natural setting that Italian poet Carducci described as the green heart of Italy. Guests can explore their creative side at myriad classes, from embroidery, foraging and flower arranging to horse riding . Spending time in the twins’ company, one quickly realises that these creative pursuits are their own passions. “It is my chocolate box – they are all my favourite chocolates that I want to share with whoever wants to join me,” says Bolza.