Hey, I’m Carol. Many of you know me from my past ownership and ongoing management of Harbor Hideaway in Saint Michael’s and Creek View Cottage in Annapolis. Many of you know of our love for Italy. We’ve made this website to introduce to our latest property, a property that we have lovingly named Finalmente a Casa which can translate to ‘at long last!’ as well as ‘finally at home! Both tell the story that we have wanted to make this dream happen for our entire married life. In retirement we were finally able to make it happen.
Sept 8th, 2023, the day after retirement ceremonies, Steve and I embarked on the adventure of a lifetime, one we’ve always hoped that we would get to do one day.. In 2021 we had purchased an orphaned and somewhat derelict farmhouse in the heart of the rolling vineyards of Tuscany, Italy. - FaC is in the village of Lecchi in Chianti, a thriving community of 113 permanent Italian residents and many expats that have bought second homes there. We have a market, a bar and cafe, and a one day Michelin starred restaurant.
Our location is in the sweet spot of all that you may want to visit... Florence, Montepulciano, Montecino, San Gimignano, Cortona, Lucca, so many exciting cities only an hour to an hour and a half away. Siena is literally just down the road, it’s our ‘go to’ town- 20 minutes and your there. Remember how I always loved Ava’s pizza in SM’s? In Siena we take all our guests to Alle Scalelle. It’s truly delicious and you won’t be sorry. It’s only steps away from the famous Campo where Il Palio is run twice a year July and August, an event you may want to look into!
Staying in a small village town outside of the larger cities gives you the chance to experience the sweet rhythm of Italian life just as we do when we visit. After sightseeing in the mornings, you will return to a terrace that is perfect sipping on a wonderful Chianti Sangiovese wine or try your hand at making Aperol Spritz. You’ll be surrounded by rolling hills in the vineyards and picturesque landscapes. It all makes for the perfect lead up to dinner on the patio or a take the very short walk into Lecchi and eat in town. We have two great eateries to choose from.
We’ve restored Finalmente a Casa in a way that we hope reflects our love and respect for Italy, and it’s culture. We have blended rustic charm with modern comforts that we think you will enjoy. Whether exploring nearby villages, savoring local cuisine, or simply relaxing in the garden with an aperitif, we have tried to create a retreat for not only ourselves when we visit, but also for others while they experience the essence and rhythm of Tuscany and it’s further boundaries.
Exterior work began in the later part of 2022 because the permitting of new work on old stone houses is quite time consuming, it’s Italy, nothing is fast! That’s part of the beauty! I’m not sure anyone is ever truly finished when they own a home, but in the fall of 2025, the interior and the exterior both were at the point we could start to entertain our friends and be proud of all that we had accomplished in getting this done in a foreign country.
Our hope is to be able to share this property with our families, with our close friends, and those of you that I have met through my time with Harbor Hideaway and Creek View Cottage. *This property will not be listed on the major rental sites. It has never been our intention to offer this to the public at large, but only to friends, our family, and in this case, the families that I have met through my work in hosting. You’ve earned our trust that you will take great care of a property that is very special to us.
Is visiting Florence to see the David (BTW- only an hour away by car) , or time in Rome(3 hours) to see the Colosseum and other major sights important? Of course! But those cities have become very crowded and sometimes you just need to step back and give yourself a few days away from that hustle and hurry in more of a country setting. Clean air, views that will continue to take your breathe away….Finalmente a Casa offers you a unique chance to immerse yourself into the true Tuscan lifestyle. As with HH we will take great care of you, this time only ‘Italian style’! If your interested or would like to know more, use the contact button.
1978 - Newlyweds
Steve would say not to laugh at all the Elvis hair! After nearly 50 years together, 3 now grown kids, and to date- 3 grandchildren; this GA girl and this Queens New York boy are still loving taking on adventures together. *Look at the shine on the wedding band. He had only put it on my hand three days prior.
Steve and I have led a very blessed life and that’s not to say all things came easy. It is to say we are full of gratitude for being given great parents, jobs we enjoyed, wonderful friends, fun children and grand children, and tremendous love for each other and for the country of Italy!
We married literally right after college graduation and lived our first 3 years together in Italy. Our jobs there didn’t pay much, but we were newlyweds and full of let’s see the world spirit. Throughout those 3 years of cobbling together bits of money for food and travel money we dreamed of returning to this land of fascinating beauty one day. In 2021, we were given that opportunity. The countries were just opening back up from the Covid restrictions. We went over to check out some accommodations for a bike event we were involved in. As we almost always do, we window shopped at the local realtors many offerings. We spotted one that was affordable, went to see it, drive-up appeal was horrible. It looked like an gas station, still does but a bit prettier. The ‘but’ is, but it only takes going to either side of the house or through the house for the majestic views to appear and your in love! Cyclists and tourist stop their cars and bikes all day long and take pictures of our panaramic views of the olive trees and the vineyards that belong to the Bertinga Vineyards……It only took one visit to this house for Steve and I both to fall in love and know that we wanted this view to wake up to! In fact, when we looked at the realtor and said let’s go write a contract, he was like,,,,are you sure that quickly? Yep, let’s go! And as they say, the rest is history. We are loving our Italian life! Whether you one day want to consider a stay at Finalmente a Casa and have a question about that or if you are just visiting Tuscany and want to reach out and say hello, or stop through to share an aperitif with us, please use the contact button.
2025 - Retirees