A deeply romantic 18th-century villa in sun-dappled grounds just outside Florence.
Gallery
Palazzo Bellavista
This historic villa with its sun-baked ochre walls and panoramic views of the olive, vine and chestnut-clad Tuscan hills works as both a secluded retreat for family and friends and a peaceful base for exploring the Chianti wine region and nearby Florence. Restored and furnished by interior designer Ilaria Miani, it has eight elegantly colourful en-suite bedrooms and refined reception rooms including a converted dovecote with views to the Apennines and countryside; outside, sunlight slants through cypress trees and umbrella pines onto a heated outdoor pool in 14 hectares of lawns and wooded grounds. The nearest village, Chiesanuova, is 2km away.
Bedrooms: 8 Sleeps: 16 Location: Tavarnuzze 7 nights from $120,000
Refined interiors mixing polished antiques with theatrical stripes
Tower room for sunset aperitivos
Vast, beautiful grounds including woodland, ancient amphitheatre and kitchen garden
Heated swimming pool, outdoor dining area and barbecue
Private tennis court and clay bowls courts
The villa
This 18th-century villa is owned by an Italian sports agent who fell in love with the place long ago when he holidayed here with his grandparents. Now it has been renovated by his sister, Rome-based Ilaria Miani, mixing family antiques with swathes and stripes of colour that reflect the local landscape: the silvery-greens of olive trees, the rich reds of ripe tomatoes, the cool blue of a cloudless sky. Comfortable sofas, black-and-white engravings, freshly cut flowers and open fireplaces in the dining and living/TV rooms enhance the effortlessly elegant feel. The bedrooms are more theatrical and come with queen- or king-size beds, en-suite shower rooms and air-conditioning; the ground-floor double has a four-poster bed and another double is squirrelled away on a mezzanine beneath the tower. The six first-floor bedrooms include two twins, one double with a four-poster and two doubles with bathtubs separate to the showers. All look onto the poetic grounds where white canvas chairs and loungers frame a 100-year-old swimming pool lined in pietra serena, mossy statues gaze over an antique amphitheatre, and a kitchen garden produces vegetables for cooking classes in the all-white kitchen with its marble worktops and antique cabinets.
The location
Palazzo Bellavista is set in the countryside of northern Chianti, 8km from Florence with its world-beating Uffizi and Accademia art galleries, its Duomo visible from the estate. Within striking distance are beautiful, fortified Lucca (89km), the 14 towers of San Gimignano (47km) and unmissable Siena, the site of the bareback Palio horse race that opened the Bond film Quantum of Solace. It’s also just off the Chiantigiana wine route and your host can recommend local wineries such as Antinori and Castello Sonnino, as well as walks through the wider 72ha estate in which the villa sits, along with one hectare of its own Chianti Classico vines and 1,000 olive trees.
THE A&K GUEST EXPERIENCE: WHAT’S INCLUDED?
When you book one of our Private Estates in Chianti, your stay comes with a host of additional experiences, services and treats, including:
A case of Tuscan wine and a welcome hamper of specialty foods from local producers, from artisan cheesemakers to homemade breads and homegrown olives.
Welcome and farewell dinners at the villa, prepared by a highly esteemed local chef.
Wine-tasting at the villa or in the winery on your estate, with an expert from one of Chianti’s leading vineyards.
Cookery class with a local Italian chef, who will tailor the class to suit your party’s taste and ability.
A session with a professional photographer, who will come to the villa to capture some special moments, for the best set of holiday photos you’ve ever had.
Exclusive goodie bags of gifts for children and adults.
A dedicated local host and concierge who will take care of every detail of your stay, with daily visits and round-the-clock availability on WhatsApp, should you need them.
Pre-arrival grocery shopping service.
An airport meet-and-greet host to whisk you through the airport to your waiting private car.
Private return airport transfers.
A beautifully presented breakfast every day, at a time to suit you.
