villas in tuscany - Holiday Villa in Chianciano Terme, Italy

Chianciano Terme: FOR WARMTH & WELLNESS

Situated more than 500m above sea level, the celebrated Tuscan spa resort of Chianciano Terme is inextricably linked to the Italian (well, ancient Roman, more like) concept of benessere. In simple terms, this means well being and that is what visitors to Chianciano Terme look for in it numerous spas and wonderful climate. In fact, Chianciano Terme can trace its history back to the 5th century BC and the Etruscans, who built a temple dedicated to the god of good health where the newer quarter of Chianciano (the Terme section) stands today.

Rapidly developing into one of Tuscany’s more popular tourist destinations, Chianciano Terme lures travellers with its spas, natural parks and high-quality accommodation facilities. The mineral water at Chianciano is enriched with healing elements, as the world knows, but the resort also offers plenty in the way of natural beauty. Surrounded by hills with woods of oak, beech wood, ilex and chestnut, blessed with a mild climate and healthy environment, Chianciano Terme boasts large amounts of greenery spread across its spa parks, public gardens, villas and hotels.

With over 250 hotels, Chianciano can accommodate plenty of tourists, no matter what their budgets. The resort is also the starting point for excursions to the gorgeous surrounding locations like Pienza, Montepulciano, Sarteano, Chiusi, Cetona, San Casciano dei Bagni, Sinalunga, Torrita de Siena and Trequanda. Also fairly close by are Italy's famed tourist destinations of Siena, Florence, Assisi, Perugia, Orvieto, Viterbo and Rome.

But of course, the chief attractions of Chianciano are its spas, which are reputed to cleanse the liver by increasing bile secretion. That Chianciano’s water had miraculous healing powers became well known during Roman times, when the Emperor Horace visited the area on the advice of his physician in the 1st century BC. With their ritualistic fondness for baths, the Romans built luxurious villas near the thermal springs.

Today, Chianciano Terme comprises two distinct areas: Chianciano Vecchia (the ancient quarter) is located atop a small hill. The Porta Rivellini, a fine Renaissance structure, is the main gateway into the town at the end of the Via Dante. The modern quarter or Terme, centred round the thermal springs, stretches northward along the Vale della Liberta towards the older city.

The Terme section has acquired a reputation as one of Europe’s finest health resorts, and houses such spas as Acqua Santa, Acqua Fucoli, Acqua Silene, Acqua Santissima, and Acqua Sant’Elena. Chianciano’s best hotels are also located in the Terme section, and we have all the low-down on Chianciano accommodation right here. Would you care for a visit?

TUSCANY VILLAS: YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Tuscany is justly famous for its wine, food, warm and hospitable people, and dazzling natural beauty. However, in our opinion, Tuscany should also be celebrated for its beautiful villas, because the Tuscan countryside is dotted with some of the most superb villas dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, and almost all of them are perfectly preserved, so that they can still be inhabited with ease. And guess what? We would like to invite you to stay in one of Tuscany's independent villas, which we have carefully selected for the discerning tourist. We can guarantee you every home comfort that you can ask for, in the luxurious and elegant atmosphere of these beautiful villas.

Without exception, the independent villas of Tuscany that we have chosen for you are located amidst some wonderful natural scenery. Take the Villa Ginestra, situated near the top of a hill in the Tuscan countryside, delighting guests with a magnificent view of the city of Florence. Also within view is the tiny village of Cercina. On a nearby hilltop, you can see the ruins of a great house that once belonged to a medieval bishop. The scenery is, in a word, magnificent. At Villa Ginestra, you will enjoy the best Italy has to offer – the timeless beauty of Tuscany’s rural countryside, and quick and easy access to Florence.

An orchard of half-century-old olive trees surrounds Villa Ginestra, providing visitors with a crown of green and silver. To the west is the still deeper green of a forested mountain, webbed with well-marked trails for the adventurous hiker. To the east is a superb view of the medieval town of Fiesole.

And that is just one example of what we can offer you. There are numerous independent villas in Tuscany that find place on our list, spread all across this beautiful region of Italy. Can you actually imagine staying in a place called the Villa Buonaparte? Well, we have it on our list too, and it is situated on San Miniato’s hills, about five km from San Miniato. It is a 16th-century building, carefully renovated and maintained to remind you of the charms of medieval Italy.

As we keep saying, these are mere samples. For a detailed list of independent villas in Tuscany, come to us and we’ll take you on a free and infinitely rewarding tour!

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