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)

Hotel L’Andana is one of the finest 5 star hotels in Tuscany Located in Maremma, spreading out in between the rolling hills of the tuscany countryside home to secular olive groves, vineyards and cypress trees. Take advantage of the “one more night” promotion …

• Book 2 nights at Hotel L’Andana and the 3^rd night is free (does not include arrivals on Friday during the months of July and August)
• Book 3 nights at Hotel L’Andana and the 4^th night is free (does not include arrivals during the month of August)
• Book 5 nights at Hotel L’Andana and the 6^th and 7^th nights are free

Hotel L’Andana is a Villa and a traditional Fattoria near an ancient chapel with the sea at a short distance, and the Elba Island just off the coast.

L’Andana offers grand hotel services in a very comfortable countryside inn with the spirit and atmosphere of a guesthouse.

Hotel Andana Services:

• Hotel Property of 500 hectares / 1250 acres
• Wine and olive oil production
• Vegetable garden
• 33 distinctively appointed, refined and spacious guest rooms
• 2 Superior Rooms
• 13 Deluxe Rooms
• 5 Deluxe Rooms with mezzanine
• 6 Junior Suites
• 3 Superior Suites
• 4 Prestige Suites
• Furnishing style: country-chic Tuscan style, Florentine fabrics and furniture
• Concierge services, Secretarial services (fax, postage, photocopying, delivery)
• Airline ticketing service
• Laundry / dry cleaning service
• Complimentary international newspaper
• Private transfer services (on request)

RESTAURANT & BAR

• In-room dining
• “La Trattoria Toscana”, a restaurant “Alain Ducasse” featuring Tuscan cuisine 1 Michelin star
• Terrace overlooking the vegetable garden and the wine cellar
• Bar and drawing room with library

RECEPTION & SEMINARS

• For your business luncheons, gala dinners, meetings & conferences, products launching.

WELL-BEING

• A gem of a Spa launched by ESPA opened in the Spring 2006. This intimate and exquisite Spa provide the guests with the ultimate in pampering and pleasure plus fitness and vitality and offer a state-of-the-art Spa and fitness equipment alongside very personalised, nurturing therapies provided by a dedicated, capable and caring team of professionals
• Outdoor Swimming Pool (18 x 6)
• Jacuzzi (4 x5)
• In-room treatments on request

ACTIVITIES ON PROPERTY

• Outdoor heated pool
• Golf practice
• Golf course
• Tennis court
• Games of bowls
• Bikes
• Spa Treatments
• Boutique
• Cooking classes
• Wine tasting courses

ACTIVITIES NEARBY: AROUND AND ABOUT

• Horseback riding
• Hiking & Trekking
• Mountain bike riding
• Golfing
• Bird watching
• Sea Activities (Sailing, Boat Rental, Boat excursions, Windsurfing, Canoeing)
• Cultural and historical sightseeing (archaeological visits, wine tours, shopping…)
• Siena 73 km, Florence 163 km, Rome 184 km

ACCESS AIRPORTS: Pisa- Galileo Galileo 145 km, Florence 163 km, Roma Fiumicino 184 km
TRAIN STATION: Grosseto 18 km

CREDIT CARDS American Express, Eurocard, MasterCard, Visa, JCB, Diners

Further information and Bookings: L’Andana Hotel in Tuscany, Maremma – In the booking form please specify your request for the “one more night promotion”.

UPDATE: You can read more about L’Andana here in this article by the Daily Telegraph.

Nights of Archaeology is an initiative which take place during the month of July (from the 3^rd to the 26^th), and features special events and exhibitions in Tuscany.

You don’t have to be an archaeologist to enjoy or understand, but rather have a passion for the past. There are itineraries designed for youngsters, guided walks in natural surroundings and cinematographic screenings, there is something for everyone.

Nights of Archaeology is organized by the Regione Toscana and AMAT (an association of archaeological museums in Tuscany), in collaboration with the Soprintendenza per i Beni archeologici (the supervisory body for archaeological assets in the region).

Events are planned throughout Tuscany in the province of Florence:

• Calenzano
• Dicomano
• Empoli
• Fiesole
• Firenzuola
• Fucecchio
• Gambassi Terme
• Montaione
• Palazzuolo sul Senio
• Scandicci
• Scarperia
• Vicchio
• Florence itself

Here is a short list of very interesting events:

• Cortona (Arezzo) Saturday July 18 8:30 AM Piazza del Mercato iin Cortona – Archaeological Trekking from Cortona to S. Martino a Bocena
• Fiesole (Florence) Archeological area and Museo Civico Archeologico. Via Portigiani, 1 Info: Tel. 055 5961293 Email: infomusei@comune.fiesole.fi.it
  Saturday July 25, 09.00 PM itinerary in the Museo Civico Archeologico featuring the symbols of political and religious power of Roman and Etruscan civilizations 10:00 PM roman dinner in the Archeological area
  Entrance: reservations are mandatory, fee charged
• Gambassi Terme
  Thursday July 9 and July 23 09:30 PM – 11.00 PM Giardino Comunale di Gambassi Terme
  Activities for children: how ti build a medieval shield, and learning how to manipulate terracotta, ideal for youngsters age 6 to 14. Duration, appprox. 1 1/2 hours. Entrance is free, but booking is required at the ufficio Cultura del Comune
• Montaione
  Museo Civico Via Cresci, 17/19 Info: Tel. 0571 699267 699265 Email:cultura@comune.montaione.fi.it www.comune.montaione.fi.it
  Monday July 20 09.30 PM guided tour of the Museo Civico with a treasure hunt for children.
  Entrance is free, booking is required
• Follonica (Grosseto)
  Saturday July 18 09.00 PM Entertainment with music and lectures outdoors with a guided tour of the Museo del Ferro (iron museum) and tasting of local products of the Etruscan civilization. Duration: 1 1/2 hours, free admittance
• Gavorrano
  Thursday July 9 and July 23 9:00AM – 01.00 PM
  Exploration of Castello della Pia excursion with guided tour of Castel di Pietra researched by the University d Siena
  Duration: 3 hours
  Entrance fee: €6,00
• Bibbona
  July 22 to July 26
  Opening hours: 08.30 – 23.30 every day
  Etruscan arts and culture. Closes on August 10
  Free admittance
• Cetona (Siena)
  From July 14 to July 18
  Opening hours: 10.00 AM – 01.00 PM / 04.00 PM – 07.00 PM
  Working as an archaeologist, ideal for children age 6 to 12: simulation of an archaeological site, building a prehistorical home
  Duration: 3 hours
  Free admittance
  Sunday July 19
  9.00 AM – 01.00 PM
  Excursion to the mountain top of Monte Cetona (1,148 meters a.s.l.)
  Duration: 4 hours
  Free admittance, booking is advisable
• Colle Val d’Elsa
  July 23 09.30 PM
  Rassegna Internazionale del Cinema d’Archeologia.

A complete program of the event can de downloaded here.

Find and book a fine hotel in Tuscany with HotelRelais.it

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.

La Versiliana Festival 2009 is perhaps the most sought after event taking place in Versilia, Tuscany during the summer. The festival is a variety of events: concerts, opera, ballet, musicals, poetry, all at the highest level.

Some information on the Versiliana Festival

The Versiliana Festival in held every year in August in the charming town of Pietrasanta at the Teatro della Versiliana in Marina di Pietrasanta, Tuscany. The festival takes place within the Versiliana Park, attracting visitors on an international level.

This year the festival celebrates its 30^th anniversary and offers a very interesting entertainment program for those visiting Tuscany during the months of July and August.

Program of the Festival is online here – downloadable copy is available here. A complete description of the event is online at laversilianafestival.com

Seeking a fine hotel in Versialia ? Visit our featured luxury hotels of hotelrelais.it.

• Hotel Byron a 5 star Luxury hotelat Forte dei Marmi inaugurated in 1990 after extensive renovations, this exclusive hotel offers top quality accommodation in 29 rooms and suites overlooking the sea and the Apuan Alps.
• Hotel Plaza e de la Russie a 4 star hotel in Viareggio, in a privileged position overlooking the sea, across from the elegant Liberty-style buildings of the promenade amongst exclusive cafés and theaters.

Give yourself an incredible gift: driving a magnificent Ferrari through the Tuscan hills and under the Tuscan sun!
A unique drive through the most beautiful hills of Italy
Ferrari 599 F1 Gtb Fiorano in Tuscany

Starting from just euro 1,00 per person per HP* you can experience the 620Hp of the most performing Ferrari ever from regular production!

Bookings: 599underthetuscansun@dreamitaly.it

*Terms and conditions: the quote is referred to a party of 4 sharing a 1 day driving experience; parties from 1 to 3 persons have to pay the minimum quote of euro 2480 for the day. The quote includes: the Ferrari 599 in picture for a designed itinerary of approximately 150 miles; a leading car; a tour leader; fuel for the day; delivery and drop off charge; light lunch in a Tuscan trattoria; 1 single driver will drive all miles, more drivers will share the total mileage and driving time; driving expoerience lasts approximately 7 hours in total. Personal deductable is euro 35000 euro in total total. Please contact us for complete terms and conditions and available options. Offer is limited to customers staying at the hotels belonging to the HRTT group.

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.

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.