His ancestors immigrated to the United States from Italy in the late 1800s. More than two centuries later, Vito Andrea Racanelli decided to do everything the other way around, leaving his home in Denver and returning to the country his family had left behind.
Unlike many Americans who have bought cheap homes across Italy, Lacanel, a lawyer, chose to splurge, spending more than $1 million on an aristocratic farmhouse in the small Tuscan village of La Dicondoli.
In response to a “call” from Italy, he decided to immigrate in August 2024 with his wife Lynn, a former dental hygienist, and their children Vito (16 years old) and Carmen (13 years old).
The family currently lives in one section of the property, which is believed to date back to the 1750s, with construction continuing on the remainder of the property.
Racanelli said he decided to move to Italy to provide his family with an active, safe and “adventurous” environment surrounded by greenery, where he decided to work remotely and live a less hectic life.
“My wife and I wanted to travel more in Europe and just spend time outdoors because I was tired of spending so much time at a desk,” Racanelli, 47, told CNN, adding that he has been intrigued by Italy ever since he first visited there at the age of 13.
“The call came later in life, when my friends were scattered across the country, my personal interests matured, and my desire to reconnect with my heritage grew.”
Racanelli said his family had previously traveled to Italy together and always loved the landscape, the architecture and the “beautiful spirit of the warm people.”
After selling their Colorado home in 2024 and claiming Italian citizenship through Racanelli’s grandmother, who is from Molise in the mountainous region of southern Italy, the couple took the plunge and moved to Tuscany about eight months later.
Racanelli found the property, a rural property that once functioned as a borgo, or subsistence settlement, after searching online. It is located near a large nature reserve.
They chose Radicondoli over southern Italy because of its proximity to the Tuscan city of Siena, and flew there in 2024 to see the farmhouse they named Podere Dorio.
“We had a beautiful outdoor lunch on the main street of La Dicondoli, where the children could be seen playing together safely and happily, unnoticed,” says Racanelli.
After spending time in the medieval village, they felt it was the ideal location for them, thanks to its lively atmosphere, lack of crowds, small size and “unparalleled” natural environment.
“I also noticed that everyone I passed on the street stopped to hug and talk. I had never seen a community like that before,” Racanelli says.
He decided on the same day to buy the property, which came with a swimming pool and five hectares of land.
The farmhouse’s purchase price of 945,000 euros (about $1.1 million) was a large investment, but Racanelli said it was reasonable compared to Colorado’s skyrocketing home prices, noting that a similar property near Denver would probably cost between $5 million and $10 million.
After moving to Ladikondoli in 2024, the family lived in the farmhouse for about four months while completing the purchasing process, which took about a year.
“Buying property in Italy is completely different,” he added, suggesting that the best way for foreign buyers to avoid “pitfalls” is to hire a real estate lawyer, an accountant, and a geometer or architect surveyor to help with the process.
One of the main drawbacks, according to Racanelli, is that the Italian system appears to be highly protective of sellers. This means you need to complete your due diligence before making an offer.
He added that there is typically no legal “opt-out” clause like there is in U.S. real estate contracts, and buyers could lose their down payment (often 10% to 30% of the purchase price) if the deal falls through.
Since purchasing the property, Racanelli has focused on managing the renovations, completing much of the work himself, such as painting and caulking.
He says the quality of work in Italy is outstanding, but admits the country’s famous bureaucracy is “huge and complex” and looks to lawyers and trusted friends for guidance.
“Island atmosphere”
His family currently lives in the main building, which is approximately 4,000 square feet. The property also includes three exterior buildings: a small cottage with a loft bedroom, a converted pigpen with two bedrooms, and a garage attached to a pool house and converted into a home gym.
The main farmhouse features large wooden beams, a Tuscan roof, a huge fireplace, wooden doors, and traditional Tuscan stone colors.
We will introduce a large-scale solar power generation system using solar panels to help reduce electricity costs.
The outer building has plumbing, heating and air conditioning, as well as two-story units.
No structural changes have been made to the farmhouse, nor are they planned, as Tuscany has strict regulations aimed at preserving the existing façade of historic buildings, and structural changes require prior approval from the municipality. Pre-approval has been obtained for solar power and plumbing projects.
Renovations to the mansion are expected to be completed later this year.
The family, who are learning Italian, also own a house in the nearby city of Siena, which they bought after a farm, allowing them to enjoy both country and city life.
In some ways, renovating is proving as difficult as buying, due to language barriers, Tuscany’s lack of contractors, and the country’s “piano” (slow, slow) approach.
Racanelli said getting things done in Italy is very different than in the United States.
“There are cultural differences when it comes to the basic pace of business,” he says, describing Italy as having “an island feel but no Bermuda shorts.”
“No one is in a hurry and everyone asks for whatever they need to enjoy each day.”
He said workers have become accustomed to having long lunches, taking frequent vacations and often working shorter hours, adding: “If you’re not prepared for a slower work rhythm, you’re going to be too optimistic about deadlines and be constantly plagued by disappointment.”
“Idyllic and unique”
This slow rhythm is also reflected in the life of the radicondri, which Racanelli describes as a quiet, slow pace.
A few years ago, Radicondori launched a program offering up to 20,000 euros (about $23,000) to people willing to buy and live in vacant homes. The plan, which was stepped up last year, attracted at least 60 new residents to the town.
Racanelli’s neighbors include a princess, whom the family has never met, and a farmer who raises sheep and pigs.
In her free time, Racanelli enjoys exploring nearby towns, walking the local streets, visiting cafes and restaurants, and heading to the seaside for “super fresh calamari.”
He says he misses living in the United States, but Italy is a better fit for him and his family. They appreciate the sense of community, lifestyle, weather, architecture, history, and food.
Although the renovation process has been difficult, Racanelli is hopeful that things will calm down in the coming months.
He is looking forward to spending more time with his wife and children (his eldest daughter Luciana, 18, is currently studying abroad in the UK), enjoying the lush surroundings of Radicondri and embracing the lifestyle he had envisioned when he decided to move.
“I am an optimist and believe that life in 2026 and beyond will be much more peaceful and fulfilling than my previous life in the United States,” he says.
Racanelli’s favorite hobby is batik dyeing, and she hopes to one day open a vacation rental and a small art gallery in Radicondoli to display her work.
“The more time goes by, the more I like the radish,” he says. “So far, this is the most idyllic and unique place I’ve ever lived.”
