Imagine waking up in an 8th-century hamlet, where geraniums spill from stone windowsills and the morning mist slowly reveals Siena's striking silhouette in the distance. This isn't just any village though - it's a rather spectacular Relais & Châteaux property where every medieval building, from the chapel to the cobbled square, has been carefully transformed into something truly special. The active winery and surrounding vineyards aren't just for show either - they produce some seriously good bottles that are shipped across the globe.
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Life here revolves around good food and even better wine. Two restaurants vie for your attention - one a rustic affair perfect for long, lazy lunches, the other the aforementioned Michelin-starred gem where the vegetables come fresh from their own garden. The spa, tucked under ancient brick vaulted ceilings, looks out over olive groves and offers treatments that will have you moving at the same unhurried pace as the Tuscan countryside. There's also a lovely pool for those scorching summer afternoons, and of course, wine tastings in the historic cellar where you can sample the finest drops from Chianti Classico, Montalcino and Bolgheri.
No two rooms are exactly alike here (a refreshing departure from cookie-cutter hotel chains), but all share a clever mix of classic and contemporary styling with distinctly Tuscan touches. Original features like exposed stone walls and wooden beams remind you of the building's heritage, while modern comforts ensure you're not actually living in medieval times. For ultimate privacy, Villa Casanova offers nine rooms with sweeping views of the vineyards, while the more intimate Villa Colonna has just two rooms and its own private pool - perfect for those who fancy having their own slice of Tuscan paradise.
The sheer authenticity of it all. When else can you say you've stayed in a proper medieval village, complete with winding alleyways that once led to the local bakery and olive mill?
Ask about dining at the Chef's Table in the Poggio Rosso restaurant - it comes with both a red and green Michelin star, and the views over the Chianti countryside are absolutely sublime.
With rooms scattered throughout six historic buildings, some involve a bit more of a walk to reach the main facilities. Worth keeping in mind if stairs aren't your friend.
Cypress-lined ridges, Renaissance hill towns and Tuscany at its most iconic.
