The allure of a permanent slice of "la dolce vita" is undeniable: enjoying aperitivo on a rooftop terrace overlooking a bustling piazza, cobblestoned streets where centuries of history whisper through the shadows, and the sound of church bells mingling with the heavenly "pop" of wine corks.
For Melbourne-born Nancy De Losa, this dream was a long-held one, shared serendipitously by her now-husband, Damian.
“I met my husband in early 2012 and within hours of meeting we both spoke of our dream to live in Italy one day,” she told realestate.com.au about the fateful union.
A shared love of Italy and cycling cemented Nancy and Damian's relationship. Picture: Supplied.
But a love of Italy wasn’t the only passion the couple shared. In addition to an appreciation for all things Italian, both Nancy and Damian were mad cyclists. Fusing these interests led to the pair becoming partners in both life and business with the launch of A’qto — a boutique Italian cycling tour company, which curates immersive experiences through Italy's most scenic routes — in 2015.
After years of staying in Gaiole for work — a village in the Tuscan region of Chianti renowned for its wine, landscapes and beautiful surroundings full of castles and parish churches — the pair had built established friends and business relationships.
“We loved the region, the landscapes, the cycling, the history and story of L’Eroica — a famous cycling event born in the town — and the people,” she explained.
The couple launched a boutique cycling tour company ten years ago. Picture: Supplied.
“We decided this was the place we wanted to set up both our home and our business. It was a fairly quick decision, one that even surprised us as we always thought we’d buy on the coast, but it just felt right.”
Handily, when it came to searching for their own Tuscan property, they didn’t need to look very far. “Our Italian palazzo found us!,” said Mrs De Losa.
“Once we decided Gaiole was where we wanted to buy a home, a close friend who owned a full three-level palazzo in the town centre offered us the opportunity to buy one level.
An un-renovated level of this 900-year-old palazzo ticked all of the couple's boxes. Picture: Supplied.
“While we had originally thought that we’d make the ‘typical’ purchase of a little Tuscan house in the countryside, on seeing the property, we realised that being in the heart of town close to cafes and bars and being immersed in the daily unfolding of local life, was definitely the lifestyle we wanted.”
Dating back more than 900 years the palazzo, steeped in history and owned by their friend’s family for over a century, offered a choice: a fully renovated top level with a balcony, offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, or an un-renovated middle level with a garden, a blank canvas for their creative vision.
"The garden and bike storage were priorities," said Mrs De Losa.
Beneath these walls lay centuries of history. Picture: Supplied.
"We envisioned creating an outdoor oasis, a private sanctuary where we could relax and entertain. But the real challenge was renovating a near-abandoned property, a daunting task that we hadn’t initially planned for. Fortunately, our friends and the local community were incredibly supportive, offering their expertise and encouragement."
Engaging an Italian lawyer, fluent in both Italian and Australian law, proved to be an invaluable decision, streamlining the often complex process of valuation, negotiations, and conveyancing.
The renovation, which began in 2019, was a Herculean undertaking, involving stripping the property back to its original stone walls and slab floor, revealing the 900-year-old wooden beams, known as "travi," and the terracotta tiled ceilings, characteristic of traditional Tuscan architecture.
By Australian standards, the significant internal renovation was completed in impressive time. Picture: Supplied.
"We essentially rebuilt the interior," she explained. "This included structural changes, opening up doorways and arches to create a more fluid and open living space, creating two bathrooms from what was originally one, installing entirely new electrical, gas, and water systems, refurbishing the slab floor with traditional terracotta tiles, painstakingly restoring the ancient wooden beams, and fitting custom-designed bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry."
All of which was completed in an impressive four months, a testament to the skill and dedication of the local artisans and builders.
"Our biggest surprise, or rather, our biggest challenge, was discovering mid-way through the renovation that we needed to completely re-plaster all the walls," she said. "Seeing the raw stone walls, stripped bare of their plaster, was a daunting sight. We thought: ‘what have we bought here?!’ But it was resolved quickly."
Local builders helped to deliver the renovation in just four months. Picture: Supplied.
The internal renovation was completed in October 2019, followed by the meticulous restoration of their Tuscan garden, featuring traditional stone walls, a shaded pergola, and a vibrant array of Mediterranean herbs and plants.
"It’s a beautiful outdoor space, a private oasis where we can relax and entertain during the warmer months," she said.
The interiors reflect a warm and inviting Tuscan aesthetic, with traditional materials like terracotta tile floors, wood and travertine tile bathrooms, and a carefully curated collection of antique furniture.
Antique pieces from the 1700s and 1800s, combined with collected items from their travels throughout Italy, create a welcoming and authentic atmosphere.
Styled in a Tuscan aesthetic, the home features traditional materials throughout. Picture: Supplied.
"The large arched windows overlooking the piazza are particularly special," she enthused.
"They frame the vibrant tapestry of local life, allowing us to feel connected to the community. The sounds and scents of the town, the laughter of children playing, the animated conversations of locals, all filter into our home, creating a sense of belonging. And being able to pop downstairs for aperitivo with our favorite wine bar owner, Riccardo, is the epitome of 'la dolce vita.'"
The palazzo serves a dual purpose: a cherished home and the headquarters for A’qto with dedicated spaces for an office and a purpose-built bike and tour storage room.
"Having a base here has been a game-changer for our business and has really been the catalyst for our continued growth," said Mrs De Losa.
The home also serves as the headquarters for the couple's business. Picture: Supplied.
"Living here for six months a year, traveling throughout Italy and Europe, and returning to our welcoming community is truly idyllic. We feel connected, embedded in the heart of Italian life."
Certainly Nancy and her husband have no regrets about their gamble to buy a property in Italy. In fact, they’re more sure than ever that the country will be their home, for at least half of the year, indefinitely.
“It has been and continues to be a wonderful journey,” said the 54-year-old.
A modern outlook from an historic palazzo. Picture: Supplied.
“Our location, style of home and deep community connection provide us with the perfect set-up. We are embedded in a growing and vibrant cycling region and community and positioned in one of the most beautiful wine regions and areas of Tuscany, if not Italy. It’s a beautiful lifestyle.
“Eventually, we see ourselves owning a coastal home and living a Mediterranean life by the sea. But for now our Tuscan palazzo is perfect for this stage of our life.”
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