Some places - not many, for sure - are so stunning, so imbued with history, beauty and culture that they take the breath away. The Villa Mangiacane is one such place in almost every respect we can think of and we can't speak highly enough of it. The setting is simply incomparable, nestled as it is in the heart of the famed winemaking region of Chianti Classic. It manages to keep a watchful eye over the haunting Arno Valley and you can even make out a beautiful man made dome – the world famous Dome of Florence no less, as this most beautiful of cities is only 12 km away.
Then there’s the art and decor that flows freely through the house. The owners have amassed a large collection of statues from all over the world and it blends beautifully with the traditionally artwork and antiques. In fact, the Villa Mangiacane is quite a patron of the arts. It sponsors on-site artists from South Africa and abroad and numerous art exhibitions openings. Half the profits go to deserving charities and the remaining profits are ploughed back to support Shona Art sculptors. In this the Mangiacane is following the centuries old tradition of the Italian nobility to be patrons of great art. So, as you pace amongst the myriad of masterpieces in the “Giardiano delle Scultura” with its backdrop of nature, your eyes travel in time as it move across a spectrum that includes Lithuanian cubism and Zimbabwean Shona sculptures. Gosh, all this and we haven’t even mentioned the rooms or the facilities this place has to offer.
The 26 guest rooms, whether the smaller classic room, deluxe or Junior suites with their private gardens, are all simply stunning and offer breathtaking panoramic views. And for good measure it boasts an exclusive restaurant – prepare your taste buds for overdrive - 3 swimming pools, a fitness centre as well as the newly opened Nadushka Spa! As we said at the beginning, this place is almost beyond description.
Suffice it to say that that joins all the disparate elements of art, nature, beauty and tradition into one heady brew.