Boundless Life will be opening its third location in Pistoia, Tuscany in January 2023. Kat Ridgway-Taylor grabbed some time with its CEO, Mauro, to find out why the selection of this location is so significant for him.
What prompted you to select Tuscany as Boundless’ third location?
When the idea of Boundless Life first started to take shape for me, I always imagined it happening within Tuscany. It’s somewhere I could picture myself, my family, and - hopefully - other families spending quality time together. To be opening our third location in Pistoia in January 2023 (following the very successful 2022 launches of our first locations in Portugal and Greece) feels like a fitting tribute to that original dream. This particular realisation of it is very significant to me.
You have a very personal connection to Italy too, right?
Yes. I have good memories of the tales my grandfather on my mother’s side used to tell of his father. Nostalgic stories of time spent in small Italian towns where everyone knew and supported each other. This sense of community - and the value and benefit of it - have stayed with me throughout my life and very much informed my thinking when Boundless Life was taking shape - it still does.
The connection to Pistoia went further though didn’t it?
Indeed. We considered many Italian towns and villages before selecting Pistoia as a clear winner. It wasn’t until after this decision was finalised that I called my other grandfather on my father’s side - who is now 95 - to tell him about our third location. He revealed to me that when he was deployed from Brazil to Italy to fight in World War 2 he fought in none other than Pistoia. This echo back to his time spent there makes the selection of Pistoia all the more poignant.
What makes Tuscany such a great location for Boundless Life families?
Italy, and Tuscany in particular, is the perfect location for families. From the picture-perfect landscape to the gastronomy, the history, the art, the architecture - it just ticks every box. And Pistoia is our ‘home-base’ at the centre of it all. It’s very accessible for families with smaller children in particular - stroller friendly and no traffic in the old town to navigate. There are also lots of shops the children will enjoy. Pistoia is home to unique events like the ‘Joust of Bears’ [not real bears - don’t worry!] and the Pistoia Blues festival. It’s also so well connected via train that there are endless possibilities for our Boundless Life families to explore all that the region has to offer all year round.
And what can families expect in terms of Boundless’ own buildings?
We have been so fortunate in Pistoia because we have secured such wonderful, authentic spaces for our accommodation, coworking ‘Hub’ and the Education Centre. They are all within close proximity of each other and the city centre. We have sole-occupancy of our main apartment building which will be home to multiple families during their stays. I think it’s really fun that they’ll be neighbours.
I can’t wait to see the community programming calendar! Can you give us a sneak preview? 😉
The local team has an amazing schedule lined up and I don’t want to give too much away, but I can say there will be some fantastic experiences within the wider region of Tuscany and some real gastronomic treats - both from a new skills development and belly-filling perspective!
Do you have a favourite time of year in Tuscany?
That’s a tough one as the region offers so much all year round and it's great to experience it through the lenses the different seasons offer. If I had to choose, I’d go with Spring though.
Why Spring?
It’s just such a beautiful time of year and the climate is great for getting out and about to explore. Florence, Sienna, the walled city of Lucca, Pisa, the Apennines (Abetone, in particular) and the Apuan Alps: all of these locations have beautiful, colourful botanical gardens. And who doesn’t love a garden in Spring?!
There’s also the pull of the Easter parades and processions that will occur in nearly every town and are a great spectacle to witness.
This all sounds amazing! Thanks so much, Mauro. See you in Pistoia in January! I’m looking forward to it even more now.
.avif)
