Three generations of the family traveled to Italy a few years ago to celebrate a "significant birthday" for our mother. We rented a villa in the Chianti region of Tuscany for a week and had a fantastic time. We had all been to Italy and the Tuscany region before, however, it was the first time we rented a villa and stayed in a single location for a full week.

Literally days after our return, my sister Suzanne began receiving brochures from a variety of villa rental and real estate offerings throughout Italy. I recall having dinner at my sister's apartment in New York (pasta and wine from Tuscany of course!) and she handed me several of the brochures.

We assumed that we had been put on a mailing list as a result of our recent villa rental. She pointed one out in particular for me to look at as the pictures looked very appealing and because of the opportunity to enjoy a "discovery visit" at a very attractive price. That is how and when we first learned of what is now hour family home in Tuscany - Borgo di Vagli.

We were intrigued and also knew from our collective reading of Frances Mayes numerous books written about Tuscany and Cortona in particular, that it may be worth a visit.

The thought of owning a property in Italy, particularly in the Tuscany region was of great interest to us. We love the countryside, the beautiful rolling hills and cypress trees, the regional food and wines but mostly the locals, who are warm and welcoming and seem to us to live "la dolce vita". We were born and raised in New York and love it dearly however, the numerous appeals of Tuscan life captured our hearts.

The memories of our summer trip were recounted among the family many times thereafter, my sisters Suzanne and Jane and I decided to arrange a discovery visit in March. The arrangements happened easily and quickly and the next thing you know, the three of us were returning to a region we love so much.

We flew from JFK direct to Rome and then drove straight to Borgo di Vagli. Being in New York only a few hours earlier and then driving along the unpaved access road leading to Vagli was interesting and worlds apart. I remember being greeted by the staff and shown to a two bedroom residences and we settled in. This was made easy as a bottle of wine was waiting for us, so we proceeded to indulge with enthusiasm.

A thorough tour of the property and that of several fractional ownership residences followed, before dinner in the Hamlet's trattoria. We feasted under candlelight with another couple from San Francisco and were literally blown away by the delicious meal prepared for us by resident cook, for former resident Dina. I remember that meal to this day, cavatelli in tomato sauce, tagliata - thinly sliced chianina beef dressed with hot aromatic virgin olive oil containing cooked green peppercorns and fresh rosemary served with fresh mixed green salad seasoned with the Hamlet's olive oil and followed by gelato, espresso and the delicious homemade variety of homemade grappas.

Our long weekend visit was really enjoyable. We got to know all of the Borgo di Vagli team and the history of the Hamlet, visited the neighboring towns of Cortona, Montepulciano, Pienza with many "mom and pop" shops, sampled the regional pasta specialty - handmade and rolled pici and were overwhelmed by the charms of Borgo di Vagli.

My sisters and I returned to New York determined to figure out a practical way to ensure that we became a part of the Borgo di Vagli family. We loved the property and the area, the fact that there was no "hard sell" and Dina's cooking. The prospect of owning a residence in a part of Italy that we truly enjoy and desire to visit often was too potent to ignore. We liked the flexibility that fractional ownership afforded us and just knew that we would use the residence as often as time, work and dollars would allow. We subsequently inquired if my sisters and I could collectively purchase a two bedroom fractional as we thought this made the most sense for us. Once this was confirmed we signed on the dotted line and wired the first installment.

We really feel that we are visiting family when we return. It is a relaxing atmosphere, includes all that one really needs to enjoy a stay in Tuscany and is run by a team of warm and friendly individuals. We average 4-6 visits a year among the three of us and we enjoy discovering new places to visit and things to do while at the same time returning to some of our favorite spots and activities.

However, a relaxing day by the pool or just reading a book under one of the vine-covered pergolas is a dream. A trip to Borgo di Vagli nourishes our souls and is a great reminder to us of how living life simply and at a slower pace is often needed.

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