Tuscany certainly brings a number of evocative images to mind. Those rolling hills, views to die for, cultured ambience, history, not to mention fine art and cuisine. It can take many days of traveling to just to get started on the real Tuscany.
On the other hand, you can simply stay at the Villa Campestri, which seems to be a microcosm of this blessed region. This wonderful renaissance villa, with lovely rooms in the main building, annex and old dairy, is surrounded by Rolling Meadows, forests, vineyards and olive trees on the Florentine hills. It is that rare combination of tradition, beauty and nature that makes Tuscany so special.
Just a simple swim here, for example, is singular what with the beauty of the Mugello valley spreading out before your eyes as you take a dip in the clear water. Then of course there’s the restaurant. You haven’t lived until you’ve had a proper Italian meal on the terrace in Tuscany, so why not try the 18th century in-house restaurant. Nature falls on your plate here: mushrooms, figs, cherries, apples.... directly from the field to the table.
The cooking, using farm olive oil, is particularly light and traditionally Tuscan style – and delicious. Culturally, the Campestri is top notch too.
During March, April, October and November it organises walks and art tours as well as cookery lessons and tastings of olive oil.