Castello del Nero

In a lovingly converted 12th century castle, the Castello del Nero sits in its own 300 hectares estate, near the town of Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, in the heart of the Chianti wine region.

Each of the 50 rooms and suites look out over quintessentially rolling Tuscan countryside and the estate’s olive groves and vineyards that are frequented by pheasant, deer and wild boar.

Suites, some of which feature their own terraces, have each had interiors restored to recreate the original decor, which include hand painted ceilings and family crests. All the rooms rooms maintain their historic authenticity yet provide all modern comforts.

One of the restaurants, La Torre, has been awarded a Michelin star, and serves meticulously prepared Tuscan and Italian food made from ingredients bought from local farms or taken from the Castello’s organic garden. In the former kitchens, La Taverna is a rustic venue with original fireplace, where guests can try local dishes paired with red wine produced on the estate. There’s also the original wine cellar, a great setting for a private celebration or an impromptu wine tasting session with one of the highly experienced sommeliers.

There’s also a sizeable outdoor pool space and plenty of terraces from which to enjoy the views. For utter relaxation, the Castello del Nero hosts an ESPA offering the absolute latest in holistic treatments and spa experiences.

The hotel is near the towns of Florence, Siena and Pisa. For those who are interested in learning more about Tuscan cuisine, cooking classes can be arranged with with the hotel’s chef.  Guests can also enjoy a variety of pursuits including truffle hunting, tennis, hiking on the estate, horse riding and rent bicycles to explore the area. For the ultimate view, take a hot air balloon flight over the surrounding Tuscan countryside.