Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
itively expensive, but this Renaissance-era villa in an elevated location looking toward the
Val d'Elsa (Il Poggiale means 'Top of the Hill') bucks the trend. It offers a labyrinthine ar-
rangement of 24 spacious and individually decorated rooms and suites; some have four-
poster beds and frescoed ceilings, and all have tea- and coffee-making facilities.
The villa's downstairs spa has a sauna and jacuzzi, and the swimming pool commands
an amazing view. Guests enjoy the complimentary afternoon tea that is served in the gra-
cious reception salon, and appreciate the buffet dinner after a big day of sightseeing in the
region.
RURAL INN
€€
Locanda La Capannuccia
( 0577 74 11 83;
www.lacapannuccia.it
; Borgo di Pietrafitta; s €80-90, d €96-130, two-night minimum;
closed Nov-Feb; )
Tucked down a valley at the end of a 1.5km dirt road, this is a
true Tuscan getaway. A pretty country inn, it offers five simple but comfortable rooms and
can provide dinner for guests if they book in advance (€25 to €30). To get here, head north
along the SR222 from Castellina in Chianti and turn right to Pietrafitta.
Villa Sassolini
( 055 970 22 46;
www.villasassolini.it
; Largo Moncioni, Località Moncioni; d €198-355, ste €324-443,
dinner €50; closed Nov-mid-Mar; )
It would be almost impossible to top the ro-
mantic credentials of this gorgeous hotel perched high in dense forest on the border of
Chianti and the Valdarno. Luxe rooms, an intimate restaurant and a spectacular pool ter-
race are three of many elements contributing to an utterly irrestistible package - proximity
to the Valdarno's designer clothing outlet stores being another.
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
€€€
Villa Le Barone
( 055 85 26 21;
www.villalebarone.com
; Via San Liolino 19, Panzano in Chianti; r €195-365, dinner
€32; )
Surrounded by a rose garden and commanding panoramic views, this taste-
fully converted manor house was once occupied by members of the famous Della Robbia
family of Renaissance sculptors, so has a historical pedigree as impressive as its facilities
(swimming pool, tennis court, fitness trail, restaurant). The 28 rooms are scattered
between the villa, cottages and a converted barn.
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
€€€
Castello delle Serre
( 338 5040811;
www.castellodelleserre.com
;
Piazza XX Settembre 1, Serre di Rapolano; r €250, ste
€300-375;
BOUTIQUE HOTEL
€€€
)
Though not officially in the Chianti Senese (it's in the Crete Sen-
