Villa Gastel Venue

The immense villa was a Benedictine convent, dating back to the 12th century, before it became the property of one of northern Italy’s most important families, the Visconti di Modrone. “It has historically been a house of great art and elegance, but also of parents and children—the country life of a big family,” says the present chatelaine, Anna Gastel, who is the niece of the director. “Uncle Luchino grew up here and always adored the place. He enjoyed the huge dinner tables of us nieces and nephews, and sometimes put private family jokes into his movies, just to make us laugh.” Villa Gastel has remained rigorously private and makes an exquisite venue for private receptions and welcome cocktail parties . In addition to the graceful yellow stucco main building, there are staff quarters, stables, two guesthouses—one designed to look as if it were built inside of a tree—a rustic amphitheater, and a 66-foot swimming pool.