Relais Il Falconiere & Spa
Hotel and restaurant in the country
Amongst the vineyards and olive trees that surround the small Etruscan city of Cortona, this superb 17th century family residence of Silvia and Riccardo Baracchi is a delight. The rooms, located all around the estate, reflect the elegant simplicity of the most authentic Tuscany. In the former lemon tree greenhouse, with its terrace extension surrounded by fragrant rose bushes, enjoy a superb view of the countryside. A sophisticated restaurant serves sunny cuisine, closely associated with the region’s fragrances and flavours. The Thesan Etruscan Spa offers intimacy, relaxation and well-being, with luxurious and exclusive treatments and rituals. You will discover the cellar and great wines and will attend a cookery course that Silvia will organize. Their invitation to share the magic and culture of their region will make your stay unforgettable. ...Read more
Italy, Cortona (Arezzo)

Hotel Borgo San Felice
Hotel and restaurant in the country
Located at the centre of the Italian “boot”, the Borgo San Felice combines all of the pleasures of la dolce vita. The property is made up of an entire medieval hamlet including its old chapel, large pool, cellars and the Chianti vineyard surrounding it. Infinite pleasures can be discovered through the authentic Mediterranean cuisine and exceptional wine cellar, as well as in the wellness centre. A delightful bike excursion to explore the surrounding area will enhance the enjoyment of an unforgettable stay in this medieval hamlet. Amongst other things, the beauty of the picturesque villages of Chianti, just a few kilometres away, will guarantee an eternal attachment to this property and this region of Italy which is overflowing with light and magic. ...Read more
Italy, Castelnuovo Berardenga (SI)

Gallia Palace Hotel
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
This elegant property was the first Italian hotel to join the Relais & Châteaux Association in 1973, and the Gallia-Ansaldi family has been welcoming guests here for three generations. Fall in love with the private, fine sandy beach in front of the island of Elba, where La Pagoda restaurant reigns supreme, thanks to its unique architecture and spectacular sea views. Completely relax in the Turkish baths, pool or wellness centre and gym. Golfers will enjoy the 18-hole golf course, set in a pine forest that is over hundred years old. A private yacht awaits for memorable excursions to the Tuscan archipelago. ...Read more
Italy, Punta Ala, Grosseto

Il Pellicano
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel on the seafront
Born from a love story in the early 1960s, Il Pellicano is one of the most romantic hideaways in the world. Cocooned by the beauty of nature, it lies tucked away between the blue sea and the lush Mediterranean vegetation on the Argentario coast of Tuscany. The French poet Charles Baudelaire’s words “There all is harmony and beauty, luxury, calm and delight” will gain new meaning at this secluded resort, with its heated salt-water pool overlooking the sea, private beach, panoramic terraces, tennis court, gym and wellness centre. The décor is elegant but understated and guests can choose between fine dining at the acclaimed Il Pellicano restaurant or a more casual meal at the Pelligrill. Attention to detail and impeccable service delivered with a warm smile are the hallmark of the hotel, and will make you feel like being at home, away from home. ...Read more
Italy, Porto Ercole

Relais Borgo Santo Pietro
Hotel and restaurant in the country
A large stone-built house at the end of a drive lined with Cypress trees, rolling hills for as far as the eye can see, a garden stocked with different species and fragrances – this is the Tuscany of our dreams. It is sheer delight to stroll between the flower beds and explore the nooks and crannies of the grounds, and the attractive-curved infinity pool offers stunning views over the valley. The stone walls, that once housed a staging post for pilgrims, have retained all their peacefulness, but the décor has been enlivened by antique furniture and murals, which gleam in the light of crystal chandeliers. As in the past, the kitchen garden provides aromatic herbs and vegetables for the restaurant and the bees offer honey fragranced with the perfume of the flowers from the grounds. ...Read more
Italy, Chiusdino

Hotel Cala del Porto
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
Mediterranean maquis, pines, white sand beach, deep blue sea and superb golf course are all part of the landscape at Punta Ala, a natural gem of the Maremma inTuscany. The Hotel Cala del Porto enjoys a unique location with stunning views over the Tuscan archipelago, notably the island of Elba, Capraia, and just across from it, on a clear day, Corsica. A pool with views over the marina, a wellness centre, a private beach with its own restaurant, a singularly beautiful golf course and a poolside restaurant await you and guarantee total relaxation and pleasure. If you fancy an excursion, Bolgheri, the cradle of Italy’s finest wines, is just a thirty-minute drive away, as is the tiny medieval city of Massa Marittima; a two-hour drive at most will take you to Lucca, Pisa, Sienna and Florence. ...Read more
Italy, Punta Ala

Arnolfo Ristorante
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in the country
Grand Chef Gaetano Trovato trained with the very best chefs in Europe and has returned to his native Tuscany to prepare cuisine using organic produce, imbuing the authentic flavours of the Crete Senesi with a contemporary spirit. “Territory and Quest” and “Contemporary Moments” are two seasonal menu suggestions. The menu features fresh pasta of the day, milk-fed veal and other products from animals raised in the hills of Siena, as well as langoustines, prawns and fish from the Tyrrhenian coast, followed by the “Grande Dessert”, which is a feast for the eyes and the palate. Expert sommelier Giovanni Trovato will guide you through a wine list featuring six hundred vintages from Tuscany and further afield. ...Read more
Italy, Colle di Val d’Elsa Siena

Caino
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux and hotel in the country
Childhood friends Maurizio Menichetti and Grand Chef Valeria Piccini opened this restaurant in 1987 on the very same premises where Maurizio’s parents once had a trattoria. Valeria’s outstanding cuisine quickly became one of the most renowned in the country, due to dishes that sing the praises of the region. Caino has the intimate atmosphere of an authentic Tuscan restaurant, with just nine tables. In an Italy where female chefs are increasingly prominent, this unique gourmet spot is an absolute must. ...Read more
Italy, Montemerano

Il Bottaccio
Hotel and restaurant in a village
This former 17th century oil mill, at the foot of the green hills of Forte dei Marmi, close to the golden beaches of the Versilia, has become a sophisticated country inn. Its elegant suites are the perfect place if you want to stop and enjoy the nightlife and shopping at Forte dei Marmi, a Tuscan resort that was once the haunt of artists such as Botero, Mitoraj, Yasuda Kan, Javier Marin. A magnificent dining room is organised around a central pool and surrounded by works of art and a unique collection of furniture and pictures. The cuisine is subtly Mediterranean blending sun-drenched fragrances of the mountain with flavours of the sea. The treasures of the wine cellar and the collection of grappas are further reasons to visit the magical and fascinating world of Il Bottaccio. ...Read more
Italy, Montignoso

Hotel Certosa di Maggiano
Hotel and restaurant in the country
In 1975, the oldest Carthusian monastery in Tuscany, located one kilometre from one of the most beautiful cities in the world, became a privileged place for an exceptional stay. Step across the threshold and discover courtesy, charm, character, calm and cuisine that is sure to please even the most discerning palates. Seventeen rooms, each with a different style and décor, highlight panoramic views of the gentle Tuscan landscape. Nearby lies the cathedral, museums and fountains of Siena, medieval villages, vineyards and the castles of Chianti, Brunello and Val d’Orcia. ...Read more
Italy, Siena

Restaurant Enoteca Pinchiorri
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux in town
Grand Chef Annie Féolde cooks innovative Italian cuisine, drawing heavily on local products. Great wines chosen by sommelier Giorgio Pinchiorri, her life companion for the past forty years, enhance her creative, fine cuisine. Enoteca is wonderfully situated in a Renaissance palazzo in Florence, which is also home to the hotel Relais Santa Croce. The menu features turbot in a potatoes and sage crust, with string beans and lard from Colonnata; risotto with melted onions, capers from Pantelleria and Taleggio cheese fondue; roasted duck with Belgian salad and mint, candied apricots; around strawberries: cardamom custard and sesame biscuit, cream ice-cream and marinated strawberries. There is an unmistakable touch of modernism at this delightful restaurant. ...Read more
Italy, Florence

Relais Santa Croce
Hotel and restaurant in town
The former Ciofi Jacometti Palace in the heart of Florence, restored in a manner that faithfully respects its architecture and original frescoes, is home to the Relais Santa Croce. It is an ideal setting, both charming and intimate, just a stone’s throw from the city’s main attractions. The magnificent rooms and suites with views of the rooftops and Basilica combine period furniture with contemporary design, elegant details and a sumptuous finish. The attentive, impeccable service gives the impression of being welcomed into a private residence. The restaurant Guelfi e Ghibellini offers a seasonal menu that skilfully combines tradition and innovation. ...Read more
Italy, Florence

Grand Hôtel Villa Cora
Hotel and restaurant in town
This 19th-century palace, just a stone's throw from Boboli Gardens, offers the opportunity to embark on a journey into the heart of neoclassical Florence. Step inside and you will find a profusion of architectural treasures: the Mirrors Room, reputed to be the finest ballroom in Florence, the Moorish Room with its magnificent Oriental touches, and the Faïence Room which is home today to the Long bar. The two restaurants, housed in the bright winter garden and in the former cellars, serve stylish cuisine, a blend of tradition with contemporary influences, in a décor that pays homage to Isma’il Pasha, the Khedive of Egypt, historically a guest at the Villa. After a day spent exploring the town, the spa and pool, with their views over the magnificent grounds, offer a haven of peace and tranquility. ...Read more
Italy, Firenze

Il Borro
Hotel and restaurant in a village
In this superb 700 hectare Tuscan estate, time would appear to have stood still. This magnificently restored property belonging to the Ferragamo family is an oasis of charm in the image of a mediaeval village with its 19th century villa, farm and farm buildings. Wines and olive oil are produced here by traditional methods – they are an integral part of the characteristic landscape of the area and create a peaceful and harmonious environment. Whether you are strolling through the narrow streets of the village, relaxing at the edge of one of the pools, enjoying the expert treatment at “La Corte” spa or the traditional cuisine at Osteria del Borro with its local ingredients, you will experience the same pleasure: that of a particular art of living imbued with calm and elegance. ...Read more
Italy, San Giustino Valdarno