Pienza, Italy: a cultural guide

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

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.

Fontevedre Natural Spa is a 5 star luxury hotel in Tuscany located in San Casciano dei Bagni in the Val d’Orcia, a popular destination throughout the centuries famous for the natural spa waters rich in minerals.

Hotel Fontevedre Spa is affiliated to “The leading Small Hotels of the World” prestigious and well know brand of luxury hôtellerie, operating in conjunction with a Thermal Spa, a proud member of the “Leading Spa” community.

In 2007 Fonteverde was selected as the best european Spa and won the “Spafinder’s Crystal Award“. In 2008, Fontverde was honored with yet another prestigious international recognition, the “5 star diamond award” of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences: Fonteverde was selected as “Best Spa”.

Fonteverde Natural Spa offers an exclusive Saint Valentine’s day experience in an authentic Tuscan natural Spa, where you can share relaxing spa treatments, exclusive top quality accommodation in the Tuscan countryside with your loved one.

Fonteverde Natural Spa Saint Valentine’s Day Package

• 3 nights stay in a “Privilege” category double room;
• Daily buffet breakfast for two people;
• Bottle of Italian Spumante in room;
• Spa gift upon arrival;
• A Candle-lit dinner in restaurant ‘Ferdinando I’ with a “Loving” menu;

ACCESS TO THE FOLLOWING SPA SERVICES & FACILITIES

• Fully equipped Gym, Thermal outdoor and indoor pools with hydro massages;
• Etruscan Circuit with Sauna and Turkish Bath;
• Guided Morning-hike, Cosmetologic Consultation

SPA TREATMENTS

• Thalaquam Flotation pool for two people (relax in floating in saline water);
• Salidarium for two people (relaxation in a bed of sea salt crystals);
• Body massage in twin room;
• Massage lesson to pamper your loved one;

All this for just € 1,450.00 (price for 2 people)

Book a romantic saint valentine’s day week end in Tuscany now !

Another great restaurant in San Gimignano, Tuscany, you’ll certainly wish to visit during your holiday is the Lampolla Restaurant at Hotel Villa San Paolo …

A special place with a unique atmosphere ideal to celebrate a special event or just to be with your loved one and rediscover the pleasure of an intimate evening together: this is a restaurant you’ll definitely wish to visit.

Flavors of foods and wines combine with carefully designed interior decorations and lighting play a significant role in the entire experience and make the Lampolla Restaurant in San Gimignano Tuscany a unique experience that will exceed your expectations …

You’ll enjoy the perfect balance between tradition and contemporary taste. The wonderful views on the Tuscan hills from the terrace will complete your experience and make your dinner unforgettable.

Villa San Paolo
Strada Provinciale per Certaldo
53037 San Gimignano – SIENA, Tuscany
Tel. +39 0577 955100 Fax +39 0577 955113
info@villasanpaolo.com

Of the many luxury hotels in Tuscany taking part in the Hotel Relais Consortium today I’d like to tell you about Hotel Certosa di Maggiano and the famous Il Canto Restaurant one of the most famous restaurants in Tuscany and a must for those seeking refined cuisine at the highest levels.

Il Canto Restaurant was recently reviewed by 2 of the most prestigious guides on Italy: the Guida dell’Espresso awarded an 18/20 score and the Gambero Rosso a flattering 93 points confirming once again “three forks”.

Il Canto Restaurant gets its name from an old farm belonging to the Carthusian monastery still producing olive oil, fruit, and vegetables, the basic ingredients of the many dishes featured on the menu.

One of the peculiarities of this fine restaurant in Tuscany, is the number of places where lunch or dinner is served, depending on the season.

The rustic kitchen decorated with age-old branches and the patio are the ideal place for simple, informal lunches.

Depending on the season, dinner can be served in the dining room which offers a plethora of unique, beautiful furnishings, or beneath the ogival arches of the main cloister.

Cooking is based on Simplicity and authenticity fostering the creation of unique gastronomical delights based on healthy fresh products: olive oil, fruit and vegetables are grown in a garden cultivated by the restaurant

La Certosa di Maggiano was built in 1314 with a long and interesting historical background, involved in the 16^th century war between France and Spain, is now a 4 star hotel and maintains the prestige and historical atmosphere that makes this hotel such an interesting stay in Tuscany.

For more information:

Relais & Chateaux
Hotel Certosa di Maggiano
Ristorante Il Canto
Strada di Certosa, 82/86
53100 – Siena – Tuscany – Italy
Phone +39 0577 288 180 Email: info@certosadimaggiano.it

see also the post about best tuscan restaurants

Here at Hotel Relais we strive to make your holiday an unforgettable experience and made a short Video of Tuscany just for you, our Guests traveling to Tuscany for a holiday. Tuscany is the travel destination offering a variety of locations in the chianti countryside or along the shore.

We have had many requests asking where the video has been shot and who did the work and we gladly make the information available here on our blog:

2 of our finest hotels hosted the indoor locations:

• Castello di Vicarello an exclusive luxury hotel, a retreat where you will feel the welcoming, comforting touch of the owners, Aurora and Carlo Baccheschi Berti
• La Suvera Nestled among the rolling hills of Tuscany, Relais La Suvera offers award winning service and a historic 5 star luxury hotel experience

Other locations include:

• La Diaccia Botrona
• Valdorcia
• Villa Mansi
• Villa Pietraia
• Giardino dell’Orticultura in Florence
• Tettuccio of Montecatini

Music: Patrizia Barrilà

Filming took place between January and February 2008, produced by Scoutit^TM

According to a recent survey by Tripadvisor Siena in Tuscany is rated one of the most popular travel destinations in the world listed as the 15th most preferred destination and one of the most popular in Italy, followed by San Gimignano and Florence.

The results of the survey are very much in line with Travel & Leisure, the famous travel magazine

In an uncontaminated and suggestive scenario lies an artistic itinerary of contemporary sculptures.

The Chianti Sculpture Park offers a unique experience in an untouched wood of ilex and oak trees in the heart of Sienese Chianti.

Internationally renowned artists have created imposing contemporary creative sculptures from ideas and styles.

Featured Artists with the Chianti Sculpture Park:

Pilar Aldana Mendez – Colombia
Neal Barab – USA
Xavier Barrera Fontenla – Argentina
Dominic Benhura – Zimbabwe
Mauro Berrettini – Italy
Nicolas Bertoux – France
Benbow Bullock – USA
Roberto Cipollone – Italy
William Furlong – United Kingdom
Anita Glesta – Australia
Vincent Leow – Singapore
Cor Litjens – Netherlands
Federica Marangoni – Italy
Key Nakamura – Japan
Johannes Pfeiffer – Germany
Ursula Reuter -Christiansen – Denmark
Jeff Saward – United Kingdom
Jaya Schuerch – Switzerland
Dolorosa Sinaga – Indonesia
Christoph Spath – Germany
Kemal Tufan – Turkey
Costas Varotsos – Greece
Adriano Visintin – Italy
Yasmina Heidar – Alessandria of Egypt
Kim Hae Won – South Korea