Maremma countryside in southern Tuscany
If you are scared of visiting a stunningly simple and beautiful place without cell phone or email service, this is not the place for you. If you’re ready to walk into this dream like space and realize it is real, keep reading.
Have you seen the film The American, staring George Clooney? Well, it’s a bit of spies killing each other kind of drama. But it’s not an action movie. The reason I mention it is because the movie (despite poor reviews for its storyline) was spectacularly filmed, with just about every shot framed like a painting from one of the Italian Masters. The film really worth watching just for its beauty and it will really fill you with desire to get to Italy as soon as possible.
One of the most amazing places we visited in Italy was the Castello di Vicarello. If you were to look up “Tuscan Paradise,” in a visual dictionary, this is the place that would pop up. This place is almost too beautiful to believe, almost too real a version of the movie-like stereotypes we have to what Tuscany is like. Yet, there it really is, a 900 year castle standing on lovely rolling hill of the Tuscan wine country, overlooking the Maremma countryside in southern Tuscany.
It is perhaps not difficult to believe, given the tumultuous history of Europe over the last century, is that only 50 years or so ago, this incredible place was practically a ruin and completely abandoned. Were it not for the romantic vision and foresight of the Baccheschi Berti family, it might still be that way. Or worse yet, be a private estate not open to the pubic. Luckily for anyone interested wandering through a dream-like Tuscan vineyard, exquisitely luxurious Castello di Vicarello was opened to guests in 2003.
This is a place that speaks for itself. As you can see from these pictures, you are surrounded by the gorgeous Tuscan countryside. Your desires are allured towards mindful relaxation with the magnificent gardens, the spa, the vineyards and olive groves. This is all before you’ve even had any of the daily fresh prepared Tuscan cuisine. There are only seven villas here, which make this an incredibly intimate place, not overrun by guests. The structures offer exposed stone, brick and wood, providing a perfect framework for the harmonious mix of antiques and modern design touches.
The wine and food are all in keeping with the ambience and the highest standards of taste and beauty. They grow much of the food on the grounds, and everything is cultivated according to tradition methods as well as strict organic guidelines. All of it makes for creative, unforgettable dishes, offering the best of freshest cheeses, fruits, meats, bread, and oils. The kitchen is always open to the guest, and if you enjoy cooking, ask nicely to be included and you’ll learn some incredible cooking skills.
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