Casale

A casale is the traditional Tuscan or Umbrian farmhouse, thick stone walls, terracotta tile roof, often built around a central courtyard with the farmhouse on one side and the barns and oil press on the others. Most date from the 1500s to 1700s. From the 1990s onward, hundreds of them have been converted into agriturismi and full-on luxury hotels, usually attached to a vineyard or olive grove. Look for Castello di Vicarello, Borgo Pignano, Castiglion del Bosco, COMO Castello del Nero, Castello di Reschio. Tell-tale signs of a real one: walls a meter thick, exposed brick-vaulted ceilings, original cotto floor tiles, and a fireplace big enough to walk into.