In between the private villa and the five-star resort, there are myriad small hotels that provide the best of both worlds for their guests.  They are quiet, hosting only a few guests at a time, charming and authentic, and they provide some of the services that you do not necessarily get with a private villa – for example, many have first-rate kitchens.  One such stop is Villa Bordoni in Chianti.  The 16th century villa has undergone a loving and painstaking restoration.  It sits on a hillside with spectacular views of Chianti below.  The food here is amazing, and if you just can’t get enough of it, you can sign up for cooking lessons with the chefs.  I didn’t have a chance to try the cooking classes on this visit, and because of the early April weather, I didn’t have a chance to linger in the beautiful walled garden either – so I have at least two reasons to schedule a return trip during warmer weather.  Despite the drizzle, the experience was utterly charming.  Shown in the photo is the magnificent view from Villa Bordoni.