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May/June 2016 MAGAZINE

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PROVENCE

& RIVIERA

!"##$%Chilling with

the Stars

An Insider!s Guide to the Trendiest Spots

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BEST HOTELS

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never-ending vineyards and where the heat is served in a wine

glass in the majority of the 250 wine cellars spread out in one of

the oldest wine regions in Europe.

Montalcino: The cradle of great drinking

� ! "#$%%&%' ()**!+ ,- # ! .&(!. /.0&) 1Val d’Orcia

you through the stunning Tuscan scenery, undulating and dotted

with cypress trees, to the city of Montalcino, which dominates

This charming medieval town was originally military, serving

of the Republic of Siena - a walled perimeter of the city was built

just as you can see it today. Access to the enclosure is through the

Porta al Cassero, one of the six gates to the city that are preserved

almost intact. From here a stone ramp will lead you to the entrance

to stroll through its inner courtyard, contemplating the ruins of the

old church of Sant Giles and access the Bastion of San Giovanni,

currently occupied by an interesting wine bar. This is a good place

typical products of the area such as Grappa of Brunello

or the traditional cantucci

suggestion would be to accompany it with a bottle of Muscat wine.

In front of the ramp of the fortress, enter the old town by the

Via Ricasoli, one of the main axes of the town, and approach the

Palazzo Pieri-Nerli – a good example of the typical architecture of

Sant’Agostino, founded by the Augustinian monks at the end of the

Museum of sacred art with ceramics of the Etruscan era, paintings

from the school of Siena and pieces found in the neighbouring

From the museum complex head through the narrow via Bandi

to piazzas Garibaldi and Del Popolo, nerve centres of the current

Palazzo Comunale

piazza, you can

cantina in town, the Fiaschetteria Italiana which

Italian Art

Nouveau

beginning of the 20th century, accompanying their debates with

a glass of the local Brunello wine. Today you can join the Italian

tradition and enjoy your aperitivo with fetunta

To complete your tour of Montalcino, a last gastronomic stop is

the Il Grappolo Blu tavern, which specialises in old Tuscan recipes.

And if you like it hot, a good option is to ask for the ribollita soup

The Brunello Route

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boast such seal of guarantee as well. One of them is the Brunello

de Montalcino, made from the native grape Sangiovese, one of the

wineries of the Biondi-Santi family, whose founder, Ferrucio Biondi-

are among the most prestigious in the world.

During your visit to the wineries you will see the private

collection of bottles of Dottore Franco Biondi-Santi, the current

owner, who holds some of the bottles of incalculable value for

Another proposal on wines that you should not miss is the well-

known , the most popular and visited of the region’s

wineries. Its fame is due not only to its unique red Brunello’s that

you can taste and buy here, but due to its spectacular location in

a fortress on a hill. In addition to the visit between wine barrels,

a must are the interiors of this medieval castle, whose origins go

back to the time of the Etruscans. Precisely linked to this past,

elaborates an Etruscan sauce, a type of balsamic vinegar, whose

recipe is lost in history and whose balsameria

in the former stables of the fortress, today converted into the Glass

Museum. This fragile collection has pieces from the Egyptians to

the present time, from the Roman Empire or from the Venetian

designed by Spanish geniuses Dalí and Picasso at the beginning of

Before leaving the castle, do not miss the boutique, where as

a Murano

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of Montalcino in the cellars of the winemaker Donatella Cinelli

Colombini. In a land with strong wine traditions handed down

from fathers to sons, Donatella’s family broke the rules by setting

some caves completely managed by women. She and her daughter

Violante or any of the employees of the property are responsible of

showing you the wine cellars and leading the different wine tastings,

among them that stands out is the delicious Progetto Prime Donne.

of the Val d’Orcia

On the Via Francigena

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in the southern region of Tuscany, where during the Middle Ages

the Via Francigena, an important pilgrim road which started in

fell into disuse during the Renaissance, and although today some

sections have been set up, it is not possible to walk the path in its

entirety. In the Montalcino region, one of the greatest exponents

in this ancient pilgrimage route is the Abbey of Sant’Antimo, a

beautiful Romanesque work of Italian travertine, whose current

Charlemagne on his way along the Via Francigena, who founded

this place as a thank you for having survived the terrible plague that

devastated Europe at that time.

Romantic Tuscany

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there are unique stately villas surrounded by cypresses, medieval

castles and refurbished, rustic countryside borgos... all of them

converted in charming accommodations.

Castiglion del Bosco Who said that the countryside lodgings are

incompatible with the most exquisite luxury? That is something

he decided to buy this ancient rural village and convert it into a

destination for guests looking for exclusivity. The Borgo historical

farmhouses scattered around the property are now luxurious villas

that often host world celebrities during their holidays.

close friend, the interior designer Teresa Burgisser, were in charge of

the spa with exclusive products from La Prairie for the facials and

the own designed line for the oils branded The Spa at Rosewood

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