Special Gatherings
SPECIAL GATHERINGS
THE CASTLE
REUNIONS, BIRTHDAYS, AND ANNIVERSARIES
BUSINESS MEETINGS, CONFERENCES AND RETREATS
Borgo Finocchieto is the perfect setting for group gatherings of all kinds -- whether weddings, anniversary celebrations, family or school reunions, milestone birthdays, retreats, business meetings or conferences. The privacy of your own village, a beautiful setting, and the incomparable services and amenities afford you everything you need to accomplish that memorable event in Tuscany.
As past guests can attest, such events take on new meaning at the Borgo. Designed as a gathering place for family, friends or business associates, the layout of village houses and the Manor House provide privacy for singles and couples while at the same time encouraging endless opportunities to gather, exchange ideas and share a Tuscan adventure.
We offer a full array of services particularly appropriate for group events, and our experienced staff can help you with every detail of your group planning. Please contact us at office@borgofinocchieto.com to begin the conversation.
+ Room configurations to suit your group, whether you will be more comfortable enjoying the kitchens and living spaces of your own individual houses, or prefer the luxury of the manor house suites.
+ Arrangements for airport transfers, car rentals, transportation instructions, etc.
+ Detailed trip planning, taking into account all preferences, to create an ideal Tuscan itinerary along with tour guide recommendations, museum and restaurant reservations. (For information on the wealth of Tuscan excursions and activities available to you from your home base at the Borgo, click here to visit our webpage “Experience Tuscany.”)
+ Pre-trip emails for your guests: weather, transportation, reservations and massage appointments, what to pack, special events during your trip, and more;
+ Our fully stocked bar, staffed with professional bartenders, but also with the option of taking the lead as your own bartender.
+ Menu planning with attention to special dietary needs; breakfast, lunches, and dinners all available in a comprehensive meal plan; all meals are prepared on site. (Please click here to visit our “Food and Wine” page for more details.)
+ Extensive daily breakfast offerings, including freshly baked breads and pastries, homemade jams, fruit, yogurt, cereal and granola, coffee, tea, juice, and eggs to order.
+ Light and fresh lunch offerings.
+ Nightly dinners beginning with aperitif and snacks in the bar and courtyard, followed by three-course dinners in the formal dining room and dining terrace; menus highlight classic Tuscan dishes and fresh seasonal ingredients from the kitchen garden and are served with a selection of local wines.
+ Snacks, bottled water and beverages plus house wine in each Manor House suite and each villa kitchen.
+ Full-service facility, general manager and concierge, chef and wait staff, housekeeping with evening turndown, valet laundry available.
+ Arrival day personal greetings and porter services.
+ Luxurious bath amenities.
+ State of the art audio system in all suites and village house living areas.
+ Business center and property-wide wireless internet.
+ Top of the line exercise facility with cardio and weightlifting equipment.
+ European spa with sauna, steam room, cool plunge, and Jacuzzi.
+ Elliptical pool.
+ Tennis, basketball and bocce courts.
+ High quality bike fleet.
+ Trusted babysitting services.
+ Live entertainment per your specifications, from classical piano to four-piece bands for dancing after dinner.
Excerpts from recent articles from Virtuoso Traveler and Architectural Digest show how two very different and memorable gatherings – one a four-generation family reunion, the other a wedding of two international celebrities – were perfectly realized at the Borgo Finocchieto.
If you are contemplating a special-occasion gathering of family, friends or business associates we recommend you click here to read the recent article from Virtuoso Traveler about the experience of one extended family (four generations ranging from preschoolers to octogenarians) hosting an 11-day reunion at Borgo Finocchieto.
Virtuoso, the global luxury travel network, aptly titled their magazine article “It’s All Relative: A Family Reunion in Italy for 40+ of Your Nearest and Dearest? Non c’é problema.”
Here are excerpts from the Virtuoso Traveler article:
Narrowing their destination choice first to Italy, then to Tuscany’s Montalcino region “with its celebrated wines and proximity to Florence and Siena,” the family then looked for “all-inclusive villas that could accommodate 42 people…and that could be rented out in their entirety. Must-haves: a swimming pool, a table large enough to seat everyone, and private places where family members could interact in smaller settings.” After a considered search, “the family fell in love with Borgo Finocchieto – not just a villa, but an 800-year-old hilltop village near the wine town of Montalcino. This particular hamlet (borgo in Italian) offered everything on the family’s wish list and more, including bicycles for touring; a winetasting room; courts for tennis, basketball, and bocce – even a professional gym and spa. The village’s five houses, with their combined 22 bedrooms, would allow the family to spread out yet be part of one celebratory community.”
According to one family member who was instrumental in planning the reunion, “‘Borgo Finocchieto’s manager and his wife had ‘repeatedly reminded us not to underestimate the allure of the Borgo itself. And they were right. When the reunion rolled around, I loved nothing more than walking along the trails and taking in views of the nearby, ancient castle.’ Family members also took cooking lessons with the chef, pedaled through the countryside, and splashed in the large pool.”
“Nonetheless, family planners made sure there were plenty of off-site activities. Taking into account the group’s varying ages, interests, and fitness levels, they created a calendar of optional daily excursions, including visits to historic hill towns, a winery tour, and a traditional truffle hunt, as well as day and overnight trips to Florence.”
“Come evenings, the entire group convened for aperitivo, then gathered around the sprawling outdoor table for long, conversation-filled dinners. While ‘every meal was special,’ a family member said, no one is likely to forget the family’s farewell barbecue. ‘It was fantastic! Our chef grilled shrimp, steaks, sausages, and chicken for us. We capped the evening dancing to a live band that played ’50s and ’60s tunes. It was crazy and fun.’”
“And also profoundly rewarding for the family members who initiated the reunion: Observing the friendships that blossomed across the branches of their family tree made all the planning well worth it.”
The following is an excerpt from a December, 2019 article from Architectural Digest.
On Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma’s anniversary we revisit their gorgeous wedding venue that made us all sigh in unison
The six-acre Borgo Finocchieto villa came alive with the beats of Indian dhol when India’s most beloved cricketer tied the knot with Bollywood's most stunning A-lister
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, or ‘Virushka’ as they are fondly referred to as, left everyone following their every tweet, Insta post and Facebook update when rumours of their alleged nuptials started doing the rounds on social media last week. Well, it’s official. The Bollywood star and the captain of the Indian cricket team tied the knot in a beautiful and simple wedding ceremony at Borgo Finocchieto, an 800-year-old village-turned-villa that was recently renovated and turned into a boutique property.
The six-acre Borgo Finocchieto comprises five villas that can accommodate up to 44 guests. John Phillips, the owner of the Borgo, is an American of Italian ancestry and former US Ambassador to Italy from 2013 to early 2017; he purchased the property in 2001 and spent the next eight years planning and overseeing the Borgo’s extensive renovation. The village also assumed historical importance as it was earlier located on the Via Francigena, the road medieval pilgrims took to reach Rome from Canterbury around 800 years ago. In fact, the Borgo Finocchieto is perfect for such a high-profile wedding with its rolling lawns, wine-tasting rooms, and gazebo.
We can, however, expect bhangra dancers and the beats of the dhol to liven up the rather quiet village. In the past, the Borgo Finocchieto has played hosts to other power players, including former United States President Barrack Obama and his wife, Michelle.
THE CASTLE
In addition to its own facilities, services and amenities, the Borgo is pleased to introduce its guests to the Castello Villa Torre (“The Castle”), itself a magnificent, historical venue only a few minutes’ walk from the Borgo. Because of a special relationship with the Borgo’s owner and staff, the Castle’s owners have opened their property to groups staying at the Borgo who desire to host dinners, cocktails or aperitivos for larger events such as wedding ceremonies, receptions, and meetings. Should this be of interest to any of our guests, the Borgo will facilitate all the details of an extraordinary event at the Castle.
Three venues within the ancient walls of this story-book property are each ideal settings for large groups: The Courtyard, an outdoor space, can accommodate up to 300 people for cocktails and 250 for a seated dinner; Sala Scuderie located on the ground floor is for 100 people standing, and 80 for a served dinner; and Vinsantaia on the second floor with a vaulted ceiling and panoramic views, can accommodate 130 people standing and 100 for a served dinner.
WEDDINGS
Envision your destination wedding in Italy at Borgo Finocchieto in the heart of southern Tuscany. Combine the privacy of your own restored medieval village, a picture-perfect location, and the Borgo’s amenities and services for the formula to accomplish your dream wedding in Italy. Could there be a better way to begin a life together than surrounded by friends and family in the timeless beauty of the Tuscan countryside, where the graceful landscape and relaxed way of life has endured tens of centuries?
Ceremony: Let your imagination be your guide. You can gather your guests for a formal ceremony in the shade of our arcaded inner courtyard, or opt for a more pastoral style on our great lawn. Our idyllic setting makes it easy to accomplish your vision of the perfect Italy wedding.
Reception: Our spaces can accommodate various groups and reception styles for an unmatched wedding in Italy. Enjoy an elegant seated dinner in our formal dining room or spread out to watch the sunset from the dining terrace. Larger groups can be accommodated in our ballroom. The combination of our garden, dining terrace, and ballroom allows for excellent indoor-outdoor mingling, dancing, and partaking of food and drink stations. Additionally, our expansive lawn can accommodate large seating tents or cabanas.
Food and Wine: Choose from a variety of Chef Roberto Rossi’s special-occasion menus of classic Tuscan dishes and seasonal favorites for up to seventy guests. For larger receptions, we will help you to coordinate our catering to supplement your entire party. Naturally, our wine experts will help you choose the perfect combination of local vintages to complement your meal choices.
Accommodations: The Borgo’s twenty-two ample suites provide accommodation for up to forty-four Tuscan wedding guests, double occupancy. Several suites come with sitting rooms with pull-out couches for small children. Additionally, we are happy to suggest and arrange overflow accommodation at appropriate, convenient locations near to the Borgo to suit a variety of budgets.
Activities: No need to worry that your guests will have a good time on our watch. Our facility is the perfect icebreaker for long separated friends and new families because its village layout provides the perfect balance of privacy and gathering. Between the pool, gym and spa, and the library and screening room, it’s easy to find fun things to do at the Borgo. Friends and family can organize bocce or basketball games, read by the pool, treat themselves to an in-room massage, or take a day trip to nearby hill towns like Montalcino. The opportunities for diversion are practically endless, and yet the Borgo excels at bringing groups together, whether at meal time or recreation, making for a destination wedding that no family could ever forget.
Please contact the Borgo staff to discuss having your wedding at the Borgo. With a wedding planner (either bring in your own or work with ours), our staff can walk you through every detail, so you can relax and enjoy the most special of events, even far from home.
REUNIONS, BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES AND OTHER CELEBRATIONS
What better place to celebrate an important birthday, anniversary or other special occasion than in the comfort of your own private village where your family and friends will have total privacy and yet every imaginable diversion – and where the amenities and services give you the ability to truly sit back and enjoy your time in Tuscany. The Borgo is your home away from home, where guests can unwind and be entertained, with seamless service that ensures you won’t have a care in the world.
There’s recreation for all ages, from a rich reading library to a splendid outdoor pool, gym and spa, as well as tennis, basketball, bocce and biking. Put yourself in the hands of our expert staff as they organize delightful, gourmet meals, outings to Siena, Florence and other hill towns, wine tastings and tours and just about anything else your heart desires. Relaxed buffet lunches, more formal three-course dinners and convivial aperitivo hours, catered by the owner’s private chef, create ample chance for conversation. As past guests can attest, reunions take on new meaning in a context like the Borgo.
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BUSINESS MEETINGS, CONFERENCES
AND RETREATS
When your next business meeting, conference or retreat must be an outstanding success, look first to Borgo Finocchieto. Your very own village oasis in the heart of Tuscany, Borgo Finocchieto combines all the services and qualities necessary for a successful gathering. Our setting is beautiful beyond words, the ambiance pitch perfect and comfortable despite its elegance. The community-feel and village structure encourages interaction, drawing people into a rhythm of togetherness and creating greater openness.
Meanwhile, our world-class service ensures that your every need is anticipated, from our professional staff to luxurious amenities and the technologies that make your lives easier. Best of all, our staff is committed to your comfort, whether that means accommodating special dietary needs or arranging a last minute tour of a favorite site. All itineraries are designed specifically to the requests of your group, both attendees and spouses.
The layout of the Borgo, formerly a medieval village, offers multiple opportunities for both organized and spontaneous gatherings. Our gathering and meeting facilities include the main Conference Room, our 1,000 square foot facility with a capacity of 80 persons. Its modular furniture can be adjusted to suit any group’s needs, whether the aim is to enhance informal discussion or to best facilitate presentations by individuals from the stage at front; seating configurations include classroom, conference, cluster style, and more.
Technological features are designed to accommodate any group with state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and projectors for a variety of interactive presentations and displays. The conference room is wired to provide power connections for individual laptops, notebooks, and other devices. AV equipment includes microphone, projector, 20 computer hook-ups with wireless internet, and videoconference capability.
Should your meetings call for concurrent or breakout sessions, or for informal, private discussions, a number of other rooms – also in the Manor House – can be used for these purposes:
Formal dining room (seats 34)
Family dining room (seats 10)
Wine tasting room (seats 20)
Outdoor terrace (seats 44)
The living room, study and library (all with comfortable chairs and couches) are convenient spaces for smaller group discussions or private conversations.
Case Study:
The Taxpayers Against Fraud Conference
The following is a description of one organization’s experience of holding a conference at the Borgo, including their goals for the meeting, their experience at the Borgo, and finally, a statement by their president and CEO evaluating the event and the Borgo’s performance in helping them achieve their desired results.
When non-profit Taxpayers Against Fraud group decided to hold a conference for its membership, the challenges included collecting sufficient interest from members, planning and executing an itinerary that fit the desires of twenty diverse guests and their spouses, and breaking the ice in an unfamiliar crowd, let alone the challenges of running efficient and productive meetings.
At Borgo Finocchieto, our website and promotional materials made it easy to encourage attendance, and spots filled rapidly. Next, the Borgo’s planning team considered every detail and preference to design an itinerary for everyone’s desires. From the first evening’s aperitivo, through lively dinners, and engaging tours of the area, guests found themselves mingling and bonding with other colleagues and their spouses.
At the close of the week, everyone enthusiastically supported the idea of making the meeting at Borgo Finocchieto an annual event. The second year’s conference filled at record rates and concluded to great success once again. Everyone eagerly anticipates the next TAF meeting at Borgo Finocchieto, which has become a sort of a home to that group.
“When we first talked about having a TAF retreat in Tuscany for twenty attorneys and their spouses, my head was spinning. The idea of bringing together a group of mostly strangers from different backgrounds and with different agendas to accomplish a common goal was more than a little daunting. Certainly, it was no difficult task recruiting attendees to our own Tuscan village, but I had no idea how much Borgo Finocchieto would benefit the success of the conference.
“The Borgo helped us to strike the ideal balance between relaxed enjoyment and productivity. Something about the setting and long dinners over great bottles of wine inspires people to share ideas and produce results. What ultimately made the week so successful was not only the work we completed, but the opportunity to interact in ways that brought people together. We emerged a more cohesive group, energized to pursue our goals.
“We have found the staff at Borgo Finocchieto to be totally accommodating and always flexible. The week’s agenda was perfectly tuned to our needs. After a leisurely breakfast, our members would convene in the conference room, or when we just couldn’t stand to leave the beautiful morning, on the dining terrace where we sat sipping coffee. After a productive morning, we rejoined our spouses for a light lunch before setting out on the day’s adventure.
“One day was spent touring the medieval streets of Siena with an expert local guide. On another, we wound our way from vineyard to vineyard up the slope of Montalcino, tasting world famous Brunellos and enjoying the orderly beauty of the Tuscan hills. Evenings, we would reconvene in the bar for before-dinner drinks and then head upstairs for a Tuscan feast in the dining room. Evenings usually ended slowly, with members lingering under the stars in the courtyard with a glass of wine, or singing along with the piano.
“Everyone enthusiastically supported the idea of a second conference at the Borgo. Whereas we had expected a large turnover in attendees, virtually everyone chose to secure spots in our next retreat. I was glad to know the Borgo team would make planning seamless and free me up to concentrate on the issues at hand. Ultimately, the Borgo has helped us to create a sustainable event that is both a source of revenue and even better, unity. We’re thrilled to have the Borgo as our home base abroad!”
taxpayers against fraud, conference organizer
