Some Places Capture Your Heart
There’s something magical about searching for a home in a foreign country—equal parts romance, adventure, terror and sheer exhaustion. Ours began with a call to a real estate agency in Great Britain that specialized in helping dreamers like us find a piece of Italy to call home. The agency connected us with a network of realtors across Tuscany and Umbria. Over many trips, we toured dozens of homes, each with its own story, quirks, and possibilities.
By the end of it, three homes stood out. Each had something special, and we knew that to make the right choice, we needed to truly live in them, even if only for a day. So, arrangements were made to stay 24 hours in each house. The idea was simple—see the sunrise and sunset, listen to the silence (or lack of it), walk the land, and feel what life would be like in each place.
House One: Charm Interrupted by Chaos
The first house was everything you’d imagine when dreaming of an Italian farmhouse—stone walls, terracotta roof, and sweeping views over rolling fields. The owners were casual about it, handing us the keys and leaving us entirely on our own. We cooked a simple meal, watched the sunset paint the sky in hues of orange and pink, and settled in for the night.
And that’s when the chaos began.
The neighboring farm had a flock of sheep protected by a pack of dogs, who barked incessantly, turning what could have been a peaceful night into an exercise in sleep deprivation. By morning, our love for the house had waned. We couldn’t imagine living with that nightly soundtrack. Plus, the magnitude of renovations to make it feel like our home would be daunting. Reluctantly, we moved on.
House Two: A Taste of Tuscany
The second home had undeniable charm—perched high on a hill, it boasted a 360-degree view of vineyards, olive groves, rolling hills and distant mountains. It needed some work, but nothing beyond what we could manage over time.
The owners were warm and welcoming. They owned a nearby restaurant and an agriturismo, and as a gesture of hospitality, they gifted us a bottle of their homemade wine. That evening, as my wife sat on the terrace, sipping wine and watching the stars appear, we both felt a sense of calm and belonging. There were still questions about renovations and the feasibility of making it our own, but there was no denying the allure of those panoramic views. It was hard to leave when morning came.
House Three: A Feast and a Flood
The third home was cozy and had already been renovated but it still needed updates—fewer headaches in that department. The owners greeted us with an entire buffet of local cheeses, cured meats, fresh bread, and desserts. They treated us like long-lost family, sharing stories and laughter over the meal. But as we explored the property, we noticed areas where water pooled from recent rains. The runoff from the surrounding hills was a concern, especially since drainage issues weren’t something we wanted to wrestle with every season. Despite the warmth of the owners and the charm of the house, practicalities got the better of us. We moved on, but not without fond memories of the evening.
Then…Everything Fell Into Place
Returning to house two—Riparbella—felt inevitable. Yes, there were renovations to consider, since it was originally established/built in the year 1207, but they paled in comparison to the home’s spirit and the view we couldn’t forget. It wasn’t just about the house; it was about its hilltop perch, the ever-changing light on the landscape, and the sense that this place was quietly waiting for us.
In real estate, they say it’s all about location. But in our case, it was more than that. It was a feeling, a connection. Riparbella wasn’t just the house we chose—it was the home that chose us.
The Choice Became Clear
As we stood on that terrace one last time before making an offer, looking out over the rolling hills, vineyards, and cypress-lined roads, we knew we had found what we were looking for. A place where life slows down, where stories are written between the olive trees, and where every sunset feels like a gift.
And so, Riparbella became more than a name—it would become our home.