Fighine

Restoring this hamlet, perched in the hills of Tuscany with endless views of rolling vineyards, has been a labor of love for its dedicated owners.

• Scenic location in southeastern Tuscany
• Multiple villas to rent, ideal for groups of friends and family
• Atmospheric setting in a restored 11th-century estate

Less than a two-hour drive from Florence, the Tuscan hamlet of Fighine has been a labor of love since Joy and Max Ulfane first purchased the castle estate more than a decade ago. Lovingly restored, the property is now an incredible spot from which to explore this scenic southeastern corner of Tuscany, including the nearby towns of Montepulciano and Orvieto.

Writes Indagare member Thomas Harte, who visited Fighine when it first opened in 2012: “Fighine is surrounded by wooded countryside and well-tended olive groves, accessed by gravel roads from the nearest towns. You enter the village through an arched gate connected to the castle on a one-loop road. There are about 15 buildings in total, including the five rentable villas, houses for the staff and long-term residents, a clubhouse and restaurant, a hall and a small church, which seems to have both new and restored frescoes. The castle itself dates to the 11th-century.

“Ristorante di Fighine deserves a special mention. In the summer, there is an outdoor garden for alfresco dining. The beauty of Fighine is its remoteness and solitude, which could also be the downside for some. It was ideal for my wife and me, but may seem a bit too remote for others (and driving up the hill’s switchbacks can be a challenge). We both felt it would be a lot of fun to go back with friends and rent a few of the houses to get the best out of this extraordinary place. What the Ulfane family has done is not only remarkable—it is important.”

Couples and families looking for a remote Tuscan countryside escape; it’s also a great place for groups of friends looking to rent several villas.