About Us
The passion for flying that gave life to Gliding in Tuscany
Antonello Budini Gattai
The airfield was born from the passion of Antonello Budini Gattai, a former Alitalia Comandante, who after retirement chose to return to his family's countryside where, as a fifteen-year-old, he used to fly his model aircraft.
Today this vision lives on in Gliding in Tuscany, the aerial farm stay at Podere Sant'Apollonia, nestled in the Val di Chiana, just minutes from Castiglion Fiorentino and Cortona. Here nature, rural hospitality and aviation come together in a unique place, where a grass airstrip among sunflowers welcomes pilots and enthusiasts from around the world.
A career among the clouds
Trained at the Aero Club of Florence, Antonello began his professional career in 1968 with Società Aerea Mediterranea, flying for over thirty years until becoming an Alitalia Comandante.
Alongside his airline career, he pursued sport and glider flying, participating in international competitions and rallies, and earning the highest honours from the International Aeronautical Federation.
The return to Tuscany
Having returned to Tuscany for good, he brought his family's estate back to life, transforming it into a place where you can experience the landscape from above and from the ground: apartments set within the historic Leopoldina farmhouse, flying activities, aeronautical events and authentic hospitality, guided by experience, discretion and a deep love for the land. Here every guest is invited to discover Tuscany with the same spirit with which Antonello continues, to this day, to fly.
Come visit us
Discover the thrill of gliding and the Tuscan hospitality of Podere Sant'Apollonia.