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There are many castles in the Chianti, but few played as crucial a part in local history as this one. To understand why, let us first learn the reason that "there are many castles in the Chianti." As you will soon find out when you visit this part of Italy (because the natives do not consider this ancient history!), Florence and Siena fought for domination of the Chianti over the course of many centuries. The battles were serious, sometimes bloody and often affected by crooked politics. This particular tower, the earliest mention of which dates back to 790 AD during the reign of Charlemagne, happened to occupy a very strategic position almost exactly halfway between the two powerful cities. Many was the decade -- nay, the century! -- when controlling even one more acre of Tuscan soil meant everything. It was at these times that the balance of power was virtually based upon who owned this formidable redoubt -- and until the year 1176, it was Siena that held sway. But on December 11 of that fateful year, Siena was forced to hand southern Chianti over to the Florentines, and it has pretty much been that way ever since. This is why you see the letters (FI), not (SI), after all the names of towns in the Chianti. When you learn to decipher those two little letters, you suddenly see why ancient history is alive in Italy: a battle lost 830 years ago is the reason why the present owners of this castle pay their taxes to Florence! And to this day, the Sienese bitterly contest the authority of that long-ago ruling.
To get to this fairy-tale estate, which extends over 300 acres of hills and dales and prized vineyards, you drive to Radda and then wend your way along an unpaved road for about 500 yards. This brings you to a hilltop spot planted with ancient cypress and olive trees, some of them protecting the very picturesque swimming pool. A footbridge leads you to the stone tower and annexed castle, where the entire ground floor is occupied by spacious sitting rooms filled with comfortable furniture and warmed by many original fireplaces. Everything is authentic, from the wrought-iron chandeliers to the velvet upholstery to the Persian carpets and priceless tapestries and leaded-glass windows. One wing of this floor is taken up by the glassed-in breakfast room, where a hearty buffet is served each morning. Delicious Tuscan dinners are also served here in the evening, by candlelight, of course!
Romance is definitely in the air throughout the property, but nowhere more than in the sumptuous guestrooms. Only one of them is on the ground floor: it is called Tristan & Isolde and it has a queen bed (no twins) and a lovely private bathroom. Across the garden is the annex, where you'll find Catherine De Medici, a romantic room with ornamental fireplace, bathroom with shower and whirlpool, and private patio. The other rooms are all in the castle or the watchtower, up a winding flight of stairs, and have windows overlooking the valley. None of the rooms in the tower can have twin beds except Mona Lisa, which is on a lower floor, and one superior double/triple room in the tower. The others offer dreamy four-posters with canopies or hand-painted headboards and footboards. Most have a daybed for a child or third adult, and all have an ultra-modern bathroom with stall shower or whirlpool bathtub. Amenities include air conditioning, satellite TV, complimentary wireless Internet access, safe, mini-bar and telephone. At the very top of the tower is the suite, which would be just perfect for a honeymoon. It offers panoramic windows all around, a sitting room with sofas and table, a big comfy bed, a triangle whirlpool tub, and a bathroom with stall shower.
Naturally, if you choose to spend a few days here, you will want to visit the towns, wineries and -- why not? -- the rival castles of the Chianti. Be sure to ask your hosts to give you a tour of their own very ancient wine cellars, or take a riding lesson or trail ride on one of the estate horses. When your day is done, join your fellow guests by the pool and then, after dinner, climb the steps to the very top of the tower, where you can gaze at the Tuscan stars from the magical vantage point of a 21st-century hot tub!
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CLOSED JANUARY 8-31, 2008
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Nightly B&B Rates for 2008 (per room) |
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Includes taxes, services & breakfast |
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Low Season: |
High Season: |
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Catherine De Medici (1 person) |
120.00 EURO |
170.00 EURO |
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Tristan & Isolde (1 person) |
180.00 EURO |
220.00 EURO |
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Catherine De Medici (2 people) |
140.00 EURO |
190.00 EURO |
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Tristan & Isolde (2 people) |
200.00 EURO |
250.00 EURO |
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Superior Double Room |
215.00 EURO |
270.00 EURO |
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Mona Lisa (1-2 people) |
230.00 EURO |
320.00 EURO |
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Suite in the Castle (1-2 people) |
280.00 EURO |
350.00 EURO |
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Superior Double Room in the |
250.00 EURO |
350.00 EURO |
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Suite in the Tower (1-2 people) |
380.00 EURO |
550.00 EURO |
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Third Adult Bed in Any |
40.00 EURO |
40.00 EURO |
CLOSED JANUARY 8-30, 2009
| Nightly B&B Rates for 2009 (per room) Two-Night Minimum Stay |
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| Includes taxes, services & breakfast (only In Italy Online guests have breakfast included in the price) |
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| Low Season: Jan. 31-April 8 April 14-23 April 27-30 Oct. 19-Dec. 22 |
High Season: April 9-13 April 24-26 May 1-Oct. 18 Dec. 23-Jan. 7, 2010 |
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| Catherine De Medici (1 person) | 120.00 EURO | 170.00 EURO |
| Tristan & Isolde (1 person) | 150.00 EURO | 200.00 EURO |
| Catherine De Medici (2 people) | 140.00 EURO | 190.00 EURO |
| Tristan & Isolde (2 people) | 200.00 EURO | 220.00 EURO |
| Superior Double Room in the Castle (1-2 people) |
215.00 EURO | 270.00 EURO |
| Mona Lisa (1-2 people) | 230.00 EURO | 350.00 EURO |
| Suite in the Castle (1-2 people) | 300.00 EURO | 450.00 EURO |
| Superior Double Room in the Tower (1-2 people) |
250.00 EURO | 400.00 EURO |
| Suite in the Tower (1-2 people) | 400.00 EURO | 600.00 EURO |
| Third Adult Bed in Any Superior Room or Suite |
40.00 EURO | 40.00 EURO |
A child 0-10 years old stays free in its parents’ double room in a cot or extra bed.
There is one guestroom on the ground floor, but all the sitting rooms and other guestrooms are up one or more flights of stairs, and the grounds are also terraced and stepped, so we regret that this property is not suited for anyone with limited mobility.
Horseback riding costs 22 Euro/hour and can be reserved when you get there. Lessons are offered for beginners, or you can join the instructor for a ride through the estate.
Dinner costs 40 Euro/person plus beverages (reservations recommended).
Click here for information about private transfers to the property.
Please note that it is not possible to guarantee Internet access at any property, because the property does not generate the service, it merely provides access from a server. If the server experiences any kind of problem at all, the property regrets it cannot be responsible for any inconvenience caused by subsequent lack of service.
Please click here to read this property's
Booking Terms and Cancellation Penalties
