One of the most beautiful stretches of countryside in Italy lies among Chianti vines, corn fields, chestnut forests and long rows of cypress trees: this is the Tuscany of the Ombrone Valley – a land blessed with masterpieces of painting and food and the greatest, unparalleled art of knowing how to live life. Castel Monastero, a fantastic Country House Resort, stands in this unique corner of the world, just 23 km from Siena. A small but intact medieval village called Monastero dell’Ombrone survives from the 11th century and is recorded in the archives of the era.

Today, within these thousand-year-old walls, 76 guestrooms and suites and a villa of pure elegance radiates. You can sense the glorious past of this village in the air, among the 4 hectares of unspoilt greenery and at a hair’s breadth away in the luxury of the most exquisite Italian hospitality. In keeping with the fascination of the hotel, there is a gourmet restaurant, a cellar where guests can sample the best Tuscan wines and a SPA where guests can relax and feel at peace.

This is a wonderfully enticing corner for a holiday in which to discover Italian culture, for a romantic honeymoon or for a wedding in the intimate little church within the walls of the resort.