The Hotel Relais Consortium features Luxury Hotels in Tuscany in a variety of exclusive locations ranging from the dynamic and very “in” areas such as Forte De Marmi, to the rugged Maremma, the Chianti and Valdorcia Countryside or the Art cities of Siena and Florence …

A number of hotels are now running or have programmed special rates for 2011:

Castello Banfi il Borgo

Home to the world class Brunello Wine, Castello Banfi il Borgo is in Montalcino, a vineyard estate extending for more than 7,000 acres with 14 rooms and and suites. Castello Banfi il Borgo is now offering:

• August Special – 2 days of total relax on the estate
• Suite and Wine Experience – 4 days in the colorful countryside home to Il Brunello di Montalcino, 4 nights in a luxury suite
• Romantic Hideaway – 2 days to enjoy the Estate and the company of your loved one in the hills and vineyards of the Estate
• Stay With Us! – 3 days for the ultimate Tuscan Experience in the countryside, enjoy the Brunello Wine and the refined cuisine

L’Andana

L’Andana offers the best of the Maremma region in Tuscany. L’Andana is located in the heart of Tuscany, sitting quietly at the foot of charming hills blessed wit ultra centennial olive groves, vineyards and cypress trees: a neoclassical Villa and a traditional Fattoria near an ancient chapel wit a distant view of Elba Island. Experience Luxury Lifestyle in 33 rooms with these special offers for 2011:

• One More Night – Buy three and spend four nights at l’Andana – The 4^th night is complimentary
• Great Affordable – two night stay, includes a three course dinner for two, and 1 ESPA treatment per person
• Honeymoon – A romantic stay for intimate moments or relax and compliticy, a three night stay with buffet breakfast included, a chilled bottle of sparkling wine on arrival in room, 1 dinner and more …

Hotel Borgo Pretale

Borgo Pretale is a 4 star luxury hotel in Sociville (Siena), ancient buildings once home to stonemasons and quarry workers who worked on the construction of the Duomo of Siena. Borgo Pretale offers thirty-five cosy rooms and a restaurant well known for its cuisine and a rich wine list. This year Borgo Pretale suggests a holiday in Tuscany starting with these special offers:

• Holiday With Kids – A great experience for the whole family, discounted rates for children sleeping in Junior Suite or Suite with parents
• A Romantic Weekend Just For Us – A very special Package to celebrate Anniversaries, Birthdays, or simply the occasion for a romantic getaway in the beautiful frame of Borgo Pretale

Fonteverde Natural SPA Resort

One of the most famous fitness and wellness center’s of Tuscany, Fonteverde is located amidst the splendid scenery of the Siena hills, in San Casciano dei Bagni, Val d’Orcia. A vast natural park, crossed by the river Orcia spreading to the south of Siena. Fonteverde is now offering:

• Spring Colours – 2 nights in double room, fitness tour to discover the colours of the Tuscan countryside… and at the end of the day let yourself be pampered by the restorative waters of our thermal springs.

Castelletto di Montebenichi

The “Castelletto” is located over a hill at 510 m above sea level and surrounded by a beautiful and unspoilt natural environment, at the south-east border of the Chianti area, offers an atmosphere as comfortable as the family one in five double bedrooms and four suites. Castelletto di Montebenichi is now offering:

• One Magical Week at the Castle – discounted rates for 1 week stay with a romantic dinner at the restaurant Orciaia
• Magical Stay at the Castle – Stay a minimum 4 and up to 6 nights for discounted rates, also with dinner at l’Orciaia

Special Offers may be subject to restrictions – for further information and reservations with other hotels in Tuscany at the best available rates visit hotelrelais.it

Pienza, Italy: a cultural guide

An essential cultural guide to Pienza, an idyllic Tuscan village that began life as a model Renaissance city.

Tuscan? Tortellini by journalist Oriana Papadopulos, passionate about food and wine! tuscanfood expert…deliciously tuscan

(Via @Tuscanycious on Twitter)

The landscape in Tuscany changes in so many ways offering visitors the opportunity to hike in the Apennines, bath in the Tyrrhenian Sea: Welcome to Maremma.

The sandy beaches stretching from Piombino to the Argentario some reachable only by boat for a swim and sun bathing on a beach all to yourself.

The Maremma Regional Natural Park, known as the “parco dell’uccellina” offers an uncontaminated natural landscape with typical wildlife native to Tuscany – a must for those passionate about nature.

Maremma is also the internal areas of Tuscany like Sorano, Sovana, Pitigliano just to name a few of the most famous, home to the ancient Etruscans and their necropolis – a leap back in time to discover the everyday habits, customs and the culture of a refined and sophisticated people.

While visiting Maremma in Tuscany we suggest two of our fine Hotels in Tuscany:

Castello di Vicarello features four suites and one villa, equipped with modern comforts of the highest standard, valuable furnishing and objects gathered through the years creating a feeling of harmony with the surroundings. Near the Castle you can literally walk into nature of the Mediterranean woods surrounding the castle as well as doing horse riding. Two golf courses are within 1 hours drive from Castello di Vicarello and hunting is possible on request. This refined residence has been identified by Conde Nast Traveller and Travel & Leisure and one of the best new hotels in the world.

L’Andana is a 5 star luxury hotel in Maremma, at Castiglione della Pescaia, located in the heart of Tuscany. The hotel is located at the foot of hills bearing secular olive groves, vineyards and cypress trees. L’Andana is a neoclassical Villa with the sea and Elba Island in the distance providing top quality accommodation in 33 rooms, with refined decoration, and absolute tranquility. Guests enjoy traditional Tuscan cuisine,based on regional products and sea food, declined by Alain Ducasse and interpreted by his “protégé” Christophe Martin. L’Andana offers a special 2 night Tuscany Maremma Package .

While visiting Maremma, don’t miss the Photographical exhibition of Oliviero Toscani at the Cantina Petra. The exhibition will remain open throughout 2009.

Many visit Tuscany and admire the beauties of the Chianti region, as well as the art cities, but there is another face to this region a completely different view, a natural panorama so rare and unique, home to some of the most impressive marble quarries in Italy and worldwide, which spread throughout the mountains just minutes away from some of the most exclusive beaches and resorts of Tuscany in Versilia and Viareggio.

Visiting a marble quarry is a fascinating experience which brings you back in time hundreds if not thousands of years to the days of the ancient Romans, the first to identify and mine the famous White Marble of Carrara.

Today Marble Quarries are visited by thousands of curious tourists from all over the world …

If you suffer from Claustrophobia this isn’t the place for you !

Specialized companies organize tours of marble quarries – this is a photo taken from within the tunnel leading to the heart of the mountain.

Take a look at what a real marble quarry looks like …

Enormous machines and blocks of marble waiting to be taken away or for a buyer are in every corner of these huge caves …

Here is another photo with some people in the foreground – just look at the size of these caves !

Visiting a marble quarry in Tuscany is a unique experience you may not have thought about or planned for but it’s well worth your time and effort. The ride along the mountain side is exciting and the panorama is unforgettable.

2 of our fine hotels are located in this area.

• Hotel Plaza e de RussieIn its privileged position overlooking the sea, Hotel Plaza e de Russie, a 4 star hotel in Viareggio is the oldest in Viareggio. Erected in 1871, it took the name “De Russie” in memory of the Russian nobility that frequented the beaches of Versilia and lived the glories of aristocracy and of the art movements of the turn of the century. The hotel’s 50 rooms all have hardwood floors and cherry wood furniture, autonomous air conditioning, minibars, and satellite TV. The hotel’s restaurant, La Terrazza, which gets its name from the hotel’s splendid panoramic terrace, creates its delicacies, especially seafood, in a unique setting overlooking the landscape from Tino Island to the Livorno promontory, with the Apuan Alps behind you.
• Hotel BryonThe unique combination of two Liberty villas, a meeting place for nobility from the House of Savoia, the villas were subsequently converted into hotels maintaining their original refined features. Today, the villas are an elegant 5 star hotel in Forte dei Marmi hotel with 29 rooms and suites overlooking the sea or the Apuan Alps, as well as two halls for meetings and conferences that seat 10 and 60 people. The bar overlooks the garden where a large swimming pool attracts guests who don’t feel like going to the beach. Flowers and other plants are in abundance. Within the greenery of the area, guests find that calm atmosphere which is typical of large private residences, but with all the comforts of a 5-star hotel.

Tuscany is famous for Creativity and Fantasy, the land of Master Artisans second to none in the creation of unique works of art in a number of fields.

The coming week end (May 15-16-17) the 15^th editon of Mostra Mercato Artigianato e Palazzo takes place in Giardino Corsini Florence.

A selected Clique of Master Artisans will gather to display their works and give live demonstrations of their capabilities in different areas with the use of many materials – wood, glass, jewels and jewelry, just to name a few.

This is a unique occasion to visit one of the most beautiful gardens in Florence.

More information and details are available at the Artigianato e Palazzo website here (In Italian).

The Foundation for Environment Education (FEE) has recently classified and published the list of beaches awarded blue flags, in other words beaches with the cleanest waters.

According to this list Tuscany has been awarded 12 blue flags and ranks 3^rd as one of the best seaside locations with the cleanest waters.

Here is the list of blue flag beach locations in Tuscany:

• Forte dei Marmi (Lucca)
• Pietrasanta (Lucca)
• Camaiore (Lucca)
• Viareggio (Lucca)
• Marina di Pisa, Calambrone, Tirrenia (Pisa)
• Antignano, Quercianella (Livorno)
• Rosignano Marittimo-Castiglioncello, Vada (Livorno)
• Cecina (Livorno)
• Bibbona – Marina di Bibbona (Livorno)
• Castagneto Carducci (Livorno)
• San Vincenzo (Livorno)
• Piombino – Riotorto – Parco naturale della Sterpaia (Livorno)
• Follonica (Grosseto)
• Castiglione della Pescaia (Grosseto)
• Marina di Grosseto – Principina a mare (Grosseto)
• Monte Argentario (Grosseto)

Hotels of the Hotel Relais Consortium offer selected luxury hotels in Tuscany, many of which are very close to the sea and these popular beach areas

The 5^th editon of the Fenice Festival – International Nine Arts Festival is scheduled to take place in just a few days here in Tuscany, and is hosted by the charming town of Poggibonsi, which is very close to exclusive locations such as Monteriggioni, San Gimognano, and Certaldo.

The Fenice Festival has reached it’s 5^th edition starting on April 29^th and ending on May 3^rd and this year will feature re-makings of well known fairy tales: numerous theatrical events and ballets, poetry, comic strips, and other forms of art, attracting international artists to Tuscany. This edition of the festival will be dedicated to the tradition of fairytales; a theme re-modernised and re-visited by the contemporary artists

The Fenice Festival will feature film projections, and encounters with the artists.

A complete program – information and tickets can be found here.

A wedding photo taken in Tuscany by Wedding Photos

Weddings in Italy are very popular. In the mind of those who dream of a romance, Italy is certainly one of the most sought after wedding destinations on the world, and getting married in Tuscany is a top priority for many couples.

We thought we’d provide some pointers to some featured locations in Tuscany (thanks to Tuscan Wedding Planner for the consulting service)

• Villa San Paolo
  Villa San Paolo is a 4 star hotel providing exclusive and personalized hospitality, in the San Gimignano hills with swimming pool and San Gimignano’s skyline as background
• Relais della Rovere
  Of renaissance origin, by Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere from the ancient Benedictine Abbey built in the XI century. A decorative two-story building in a beautiful position facing the panoramic view of Colle Bassa and Colle Alta
• Hotel Byron
  Located in the exclusive Forte dei Marmi, Hotel Byron is a 5 star Luxury hotel with 29 rooms and services overlooking the sea or the Apuan Alps

Related articles by Zemanta

• Lucca Journal: A Walled City in Tuscany Clings to Its Ancient Menu (nytimes.com)

FAI Spring Days are upcoming on the last week end of March 28^th and 29^th just a few days form now.

FAI is a non-profit trust with the purpose to protect and preserve Italian artistic and environmental heritage. FAI spring days are the chance to visit monuments and museums normally not accessible to the general public, a great opportunity for those visiting Italy and Tuscany to see famous inaccessible places such as:

• Convento di Santa Maria Novella (Florence)
• Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa maria Novella (Florence)
• Giardino di Villa Mazzarosa (Lucca)
• Villa Medicea di Coltano (Pisa)
• Palazzo Chigi alla Postiera (Siena)

The complete list of locations open on FAI Spring Days is available online at the FAI website.