We are so excited to welcome you to our stunning venue, Castello di Ristonchi in Tuscany, Italy! Ristonchi Castle is a rustic, 1,000-year-old medieval castle surrounded by olive groves and a forest of chestnut trees and wild edibles. It's not a regular hotel - it's a CASTLE! There won't be daily cleanings, but all of the basics will be provided for you, such as clean sheets, towels, pillows, blankets, toilet paper, soap and shampoo. The furnishings are typical Tuscan style, and some of the bathrooms are small and quirky, but that's the fun of staying in an old castle. When you wake up you know you are in Tuscany! There is heating in winter, but no air conditioning in summer. The thick stone walls and fresh mountain breeze should keep you comfortable, or there is a fresh mountain spring water pool that will definitely do the trick! There are limited paid laundry services as well as a steamer service for your wedding attire. There is a bar and small shop where you can buy coffee, drinks, ice cream and snacks. The castle is secluded so please bring everything special (like medication) you'll need for the weekend with you.
Castello di Ristonchi will accommodate all of our guests from 9/30-10/2, but if you prefer to stay somewhere off of the grounds below are some recommendations: *VILLA GRASSINA:* 5 mins by car or 20 mins walk on a forest road (not recommended to walk at night) [www.villagrassina.it](http://www.villagrassina.it) **When making a reservation, please let them know it is part of a group staying at Ristonchi.* *VILLA CERTINA:* 2 mins by car or 9 mins walk. https://www.rurality.it/agriturismi/firenze/agriturismo-casa-vacanze-certina **When making a reservation, please let them know it is part of a group at Ristonchi.* *FLORENCE HILLS RESORT & SPA: 10 mins by car* https://www.theflorencehills.it/en/ **When making a reservation, please let them know it is part of a group at Ristonchi.*
Here is a helpful link to track the temperature! https://www.accuweather.com/en/it/pelago/1548049/weather-forecast/1548049 The weather in Tuscany during late September and early October is generally mild and pleasant, marking the transition from summer to autumn. You can expect warm days, with average daytime temperatures ranging from 64-77°F, and cooler evenings and nights, often dropping to 50-57°F. While there will be plenty of sunshine, the chance of light rain and cloud cover increases in October, making it wise to pack layers, including a light jacket or sweater and an umbrella.
More details to come! If you choose to fly into or meet at the Florence Airport, the venue is starting to offer a transportation service as of this year that we are working through with them!
Check in is 4:00 pm on Wednesday, September 30th. Check-out is 11:00 am on Friday, October 2nd.
Ristonchi Castle is on top of a mountain surrounded by olive groves and an ancient forest with over 20km of marked paths for walking and cycling. Guests can ask reception for recommended trails. There is also a pool on site if you would like to go for a dip!
The small town of Pelago is situated at the foot of the castle. You will find monuments, museums and churches dating back to the 14th century. The nearest large town is Pontassieve with more stores, restaurants and the train station.
Florence is 30km away, less than an hour drive. 'The Mall' the luxury designer outlet with Gucci, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, is a 20 minute drive. Vallombrosa Abbey is a marvelous piece of architecture and an oasis of peace surrounded by beautiful forest nature - also a 20 minute drive. There is a winery and vineyard for wine tastings and a tour less than 10 minutes drive. Try Travignoli. And a beautiful golf course with restaurant 30 minutes drive. We offer activities like guided foraging walks, yoga, cooking classes etc. Hiking is free and abundant trails surround the castle. Mountain bikes can also be rented from an outside company. We recommend everyone stays at the castle and spends time together, but these areas are a great place to explore before or after the wedding!
Yes, the Ristonchi Reception bar opening hours are from 9 am - 11 pm. Guests can purchase beer, wine, soda, water, ice cream, and snacks. We also have our ApeRoller - our fully mobile bar that will be at the pool, pizza night, aperitivo and wedding dinner for your convenience. Any drinks or cocktails can be ordered there at any time. All items will be added to the guest's individual room bill to be paid at check out.
We are so excited to celebrate this special day surrounded by our closest family and friends. As we're keeping it intimate, only those formally invited on your wedding invitation can be accommodated. If you have a plus one, it will be noted on your invitation and when you RSVP.
We can't wait to see our loved ones all dressed up for our big day! Dress code is black tie optional.
Yes! We have made it easy to send gifts to us directly through our registry. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
We love your little ones, however, we have decided to keep our ceremony and reception an adults-only event.
Please kindly RSVP through the RSVP tab on our website and answer the questions provided. We look forward to celebrating with you!
If you have any questions not covered on our wedding website, feel free to contact Jo at (614) 519-3270.