At Tertulia, we often say we’re not just hosting guests — we’re sharing our home. That idea shapes everything we do. People who come here aren’t just passing through; they’re becoming part of something, even if it’s just for a little while. They get to know our neighbours, take part in everyday life on the farm, and experience what it’s like to live in rural Tuscany — not as a tourist, but as a temporary local.
Throughout the year, our home reflects the changing seasons. In spring, there’s a burst of energy. The garden wakes up, wild herbs and flowers return, and we’re outdoors again — planting, cooking, eating. Summer stretches out slowly, with rivers to swim in, music festivals nearby, and long evenings under the stars. In autumn, everything shifts inward. We harvest chestnuts and olives, press our own oil, and spend more time by the fire. Before we close in December, winter brings a quieter, introspective tone — perfect for reflection and reconnection.
But there’s more to this way of living than personal growth or beautiful landscapes. Slow and sustainable tourism — when done intentionally — creates real social impact in rural places like this.
By welcoming people who stay longer, engage more deeply, and respect the local pace, we’re helping to reinforce a living, working countryside. Every coliver who shops at the local organic farm or buys local products from our Honesty Bar, makes a difference by supporting the continuity of local economies and traditions. In contrast to fast, high-impact tourism that often extracts more than it gives, our model adds value — both economically and socially — to the region.
Sustainable tourism isn’t just about reducing waste or avoiding over-touristed spots. It’s about relationships – between visitors and locals, between people and land. When someone stays at Tertulia for a few weeks, they contribute to that relationship. They see what it means to live rurally – the challenges, the beauty, the compromises. We help to reconnect to the simple pleasures in life: community, good food, serenity and activities in nature. And they often take that perspective back with them, reshaping how they engage with other places.
This kind of travel doesn’t transform rural areas overnight – and it shouldn’t. But over time, it helps preserve what makes places like Mugello worth visiting in the first place: authenticity, connection, and a living cultural landscape.
