Most visitors to Tuscany head for the well-trodden hills of Chianti or the honeypot towns further north. But those in the know make a beeline for the Maremma, a wild, sun-drenched stretch of southern coastline where cowboys still herd long-horned cattle and the beaches remain gloriously empty. It's here, on a 500-hectare estate of vineyards, olive groves and cypress-lined avenues, that you'll find the former summer residence of Grand Duke Leopold II, L'Andana. The Moretti family (of Bellavista and Petra wine fame) have turned it into a refined country retreat with a Michelin-starred restaurant, ESPA spa and the Tyrrhenian Sea just a few kilometres down the road.
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Accommodation is spread across four buildings, each with its own character. La Villa's 33 rooms are the most traditional with their stone fireplaces, warm ochre walls and views over the countryside. La Casa (a minute's wander away) has 14 rooms with a farmhouse feel, private kitchenettes and terraces framed by olive trees and Mediterranean macchia. Il Granaio's two-bedroom apartments are the family-friendly pick, while the standalone La Scuderia villa (four bedrooms, private pool and its own garden) is the full Tuscan fantasy.
The estate produces its own wine and olive oil, so you're quite literally tasting the landscape with every meal. Book into a cooking class and you can take some tricks home with you, too!
There's an adults-only pool tucked away from the main one, far quieter and long enough for proper laps. Perfect for a lazy afternoon with a glass of the estate's Acquagiusta rosé.
The Michelin-starred trattoria only opens for dinner from May to September. Having your own car is also handy for exploring beyond the estate.
L'Andana can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Italy trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Italy trips featuring L'Andana or get advice and suggestions from one of our Italy specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at L'Andana start from around $590, or US$590, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
Where the Romans go for sea, space and a wilder side of Tuscany.
