Pool and gardens at Villa le Barone

We have worked with Villa le Barone for about thirty years , ever since we launched our Italian Expressions programme . To celebrate this longstanding relationship , this item is dedicated to the hotel as you find it now and to its fascinating history .

Villa le Barone is situated outside the village of Panzano in Chianti , about an hour ’ s drive south of Florence . The surrounding countryside is quintessential Tuscany : rolling wooded hills of shades of grey-green , a patchwork landscape of vines and olives , hill villages of golden-gray stone and terracotta roofs , cypress trees , farmsteads and turreted castles . From having started life as a fortified tower in the Renaissance period it was converted to a villa with its own agricultural estate and has belonged to the Della Robbia family since the 16th century . Until the second world war , Villa le Barone was managed as a wine and olive oil estate and then the Duchess Franca Visconti converted the house into one of the first historic boutique hotels in Chianti . Today the evidence of its rich history is apparent ; there are lounges and sitting-rooms where you can read , relax , paint or write . Large bouquets of flowers adorn the various rooms and in cooler winter a fire burns in the hearth . Outside

there are gardens of lawn and flower beds , roses and chestnut trees , and in the distance the views of those enticing Tuscan hills . The hotel ’ s restaurant , Il Torchio , occupies what was the winery and serves Tuscan specialities and local Chianti wines , and in warm weather dinner is served on the candlelit terrace outside . By the pool there is an honourbar : soft drinks , wine , beer , ice creams and coffee mousse . Visits to the wineries in the area such as Cafaggio , Marchese Antinori , Fonterutoli and Rocca di Castagnoli can be arranged .

Practicalities We offer tailor-made holidays to Villa le Barone for any number of nights as stand-alone stays or as part of a touring holiday . A hire-car is essential , unless you really do not want to explore the area on your own . Pisa offers most choice for flights but Florence is closer and possible from London City airport .

Prices from about £ 1,990 per person for seven nights ’ bed and breakfast in a classic double room , BA flight London to Pisa return and hire of a group B car for the duration of the holiday .

Villa le Barone

Villa le Barone , outdoor dining

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