Let’s all dream about staying at this 1,000-year-old Italian castle

Amid the rolling hills of Umbria, just on the border of Tuscany, sits a 1,000-year-old castle that has been painstakingly brought back from ruins over the past three decades. The Reschio estate, a sprawling pastoral swath that covers 1,500 hectares, is owned by Austro-Hungarian nobles who have been obsessed with returning the serene retreat to its former grandeur. Luckily Count Benedikt Bolza, who now runs the property, also happens to be a London-trained architect, and has taken the lead in modernizing the estate into a luxe new 36-room getaway, Hotel Castello di Reschio, which is set to open its doors this spring.

Each room (starting at $1,050) is designed thoughtfully, adorned with antiques, local textiles and artwork, and furnishings designed by Bolza himself — from chic bespoke beds to industrial-yet-elegant 1930s-inspired table lamps. Every space has a distinct vibe: One room on the ground floor, for example, still houses centuries-old milling equipment, while the tower suite located in the castle’s highest turret encompasses five floors and features an open-air hot tub and a handy dumbwaiter.

And, of course, in true Italian fashion, the food rivals the décor; fresh vegetables, olives and truffles are grown right on site. The stunning Ristorante Alle Scuderie, an indoor-outdoor space set amongst majestic ferns, has taken over the property’s old stables (riding equipment still hangs from the walls as a nod to the past) and focuses on a simple, organic menu — this is where you’ll want to head for unforgettable pizza, served straight from an blistering outdoor oven. There’s also Ristorante Al Castello, where you can enjoy views of fig trees as you dig into traditional Umbrian fare, while the marble-clad Bar Centrale, one of Reschio’s three bars, has all your classic Negroni needs covered.

There is, of course, much more to explore beyond the castle. Follow the stone steps down into the estate’s historic wine cellar to make your way into the bliss-inducing spa, which includes a hammam and spacious plunge pool lit only by the sun beaming through narrow windows. There are also guided nature hikes, truffle-hunting trails, full stables where you can sign up for dressage lessons, and workshops geared to help you make pasta that would make Nonna proud. Bellissimo!

The Star understands the restrictions on travel during the coronavirus pandemic. But like you, we dream of travelling again, and we’re publishing this story with future trips in mind.