How to get there
Florence
(70 km away)
Florence, the regional capital of Tuscany, is home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. Iconic sights include the Duomo, a cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome engineered by Brunelleschi with a bell tower by Giotto. The Galleria dell’Accademia displays Michelangelo’s “David” sculpture. The Uffizi Gallery exhibits Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and da Vinci’s “Annunciation.” You’ll be spoilt for choice.
Pisa
(40 km from the resort)
Pisa is best known for its iconic leaning tower. Already tilting when it was completed in 1372, the 56m white-marble cylinder is the bell tower of the Romanesque cathedral that rises next to it in the Piazza dei Miracoli. Also in the piazza is the Baptistry – experience its renowned acoustics with daily performances.
Lucca (40 km from the resort)
Known for the well-preserved Renaissance walls encircling its historic city centre, the Piazza del Anfiteatro, and its cobblestone streets, Lucca offers visitors plenty to see and do. Stroll the broad tree-lined pathways along the tops of the massive 16th- and 17th-century ramparts and visit Casa di Puccini, where the great opera composer was born.
Cinque Terre (120 km from the resort)
The Cinque Terre comprises five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The coastline of the five villages and the surrounding hillsides are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
San Gimignano & Volterra (41 km from the resort)
San Gimignano is a hill town in the province of Siena. Encircled by 13th-century walls, the old town centres on the Piazza della Cisterna, a triangular square lined with medieval houses. Nearby, the Duomo di San Gimignano is a 12th-century church with frescoes by Ghirlandaio in its Santa Fina Chapel.
Volterra still echoes with its Etruscan and Roman pasts – it was one of 12 power centres from the 4th through 6th centuries BC. You’ll see all of these past eras on your visit to Volterra, starting from parts of the walls that go back to Etruscan times but built on through the Middle Ages.
Siena (95 km from the resort)
Siena is distinguished by its medieval gothic style brick buildings. The fan-shaped central square, Piazza del Campo, is the site of the Palazzo Pubblico (the Gothic town hall) and Torre del Mangia, a slender 14thcentury tower with sweeping views of Siena and the surrounding countryside from its distinctive white crown. The city’s 17 historic contrade (districts) extend outward from the piazza.
Tuscany on the plate
Our top picks of restaurants in the region
GOLF
Golf Club Castelfalfi
Tuscany’s leading golf course is just 10 km away from Karma Bargo Di Colleoli. The Mountain Course (Par 72, 6351 meters, 18 holes) is a challenging and technical championship course, the result of a careful re-design leveraging the experience and sensitivity of architects Rainer PreiBmann and Wilfried Moroder, while The Lake Course (Par 37, 3171 meters, 9 holes), is suitable for players of all experience levels.
Golf Club Castelfalfi is open every day from 8.30 am to 7.30 pm. Tee times can be arranged for you through the resort concierge by contacting
borgo@karmagroup.com | www.castelfalfi.com
Truffle Hunting
Tuscany is one of the more popular regions in Italy for the production of both the white and black varieties of truffles. Taking part in a truffle hunt during truffle season is always an enjoyable day out. An expert guide will show you how to find truffles with his trusty ‘truffle-sniffing’ dog. He will explain how the dog and his human companion work together to find truffles, from training to the excavation of the truffle. Grab a flavour hit as you get to taste truffle oil, truffle paste and other delicious truffle-based products.
For more information or to reserve your place, email
In Vino Veritas
Tour one of the world’s top wine regions right here in Tuscany! Some of the world’s best cellar doors are incredibly close to the resort and make for a spectacular day out. Sample Tuscany’s most famous varietal, Chianti, as well as numerous others amid rolling green hills and quiet country lanes. Many cellar doors offer wine production and tasting tours with a spot of lunch.
Due to their popularity, advance booking is highly recommended.
FFFor more information or to reserve your place, email
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Ristorante Enoteca Pinchiorri
( Michelin Star )
Chef Annie Feolde, also known as The Diva of Cuisine, was the first woman Chef to earn 3 Michelin stars in Italy. She serves innovative cuisine created from top-quality Italian ingredients. Fine wines selected by sommelier Giorgio Pinchiorri, her companion for forty years, are the perfect accompaniment to her upscale cuisine. Enoteca Pinchiorri is located in a Renaissance palazzo in the heart of Florence.
Dress code: Smart Casual (Gentlemen should wear a jacket)
Open for dinner only from Tuesday to Saturday.
Closed during August.
Via Ghibellina 87, 50122 Firenze
www.enotecapinchiorri.it
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Antinori Chianti Classico
Less than 20km from the heart of Florence and just off the main highway going to Siena the stunning new Antinori Chianti Classico winery is one of the best wineries in all Tuscany. Set among olive groves and geometrically aligned vineyards, the Antinori family has been in the wine business since 1385. The family continues to run an active and prolific wine empire which boasts two of Italy’s top wines: Tignanello and Solaia. First opened in August 2013, the new winery has more than 600 years of winemaking on display in its wine museum, bookshop, art collection and wine bar and tasting rooms.
Open Monday-Saturday 11 am- 7 pm, Sunday11 am- 3 pm.
Guided tours run every hour (10 am- 4 pm) from €20 per person – booking is essential. There are several casual tasting options for those visiting without reservations.
Restaurant: On the top floor, in Rinuccio 1180, open for lunch only.
Via Cassia per Siena 133, 50026 Bargino, San Casciano in Val di Pesa.
+39 055 2359700 | www.antinorichianticlassico.it
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Ristorante Arnolfo
( Michelin Star )
Chef Gaetano Trovato trained with the very best chefs in Europe and has returned to his native Tuscany to prepare cuisine using organic produce, imbuing the authentic flavours of the Crete Senesi with a contemporary spirit. “Territory and Quest” and “Contemporary Moments” are two seasonal menu suggestions served in a 17th-century Tuscan palace. A vegetarian tasting menu is also available.
Arnolfo restaurant is open from Thursday to Monday for lunch and dinner.
Address: Via XX Settembre, 50, 53034 Colle di Val d’Elsa (12 km away from San Gimignano)
www.arnolfo.com
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Castello di Arna
When Lorenza Sebasti and Marco Pallanti started Castello di Arna a little over 30 years ago, the hamlet with its vineyards and olive groves was in a state of abandon. Today, the 12th-century castle is beautifully renovated and has an impressive collection of wine-related contemporary art as well as fantastic fine wines such as Haiku Chianti Classico.
Visitors can enjoy artworks by world-renowned artists, such as Daniel Buren’s mirror wall (reflecting the vineyard) or Anish Kapoor’s ‘Aima’, with its pulsing red light in the tiny church of San Venanzio. While many wine producers also make extra-virgin olive oil, Castello di Arna has a state-of-the-art olive press which allows the Pallantis to bottle one of the countryside’s best oils – a must try!
Visits are private by appointment only.
Restaurant: La Terrazza di Arna, which will open in April, is set in a Tuscan house with antique furniture and modern design elements. It’s a wonderful way to try the estate’s wines, paired with fantastic cuisine.
Localita Arna, 53013 Gaiole in Chianti.
+39 0577 746031 | www.castellodiama.com
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Ristorante Cum Quibus
( Michelin Star )
Discover top-quality cuisine in this small rustic-style restaurant with an intimate setting. Creative and original dishes made from Tuscan ingredients. Choose a la carte dining or try the tasting menus featuring 5 to 9 courses, with or without wine pairing.
Open from Wednesday to Monday from 12:30 -14:30 & 19:00 – 22:00
Via San Martino 17, 53037 San Gimignano.
www.cumquibus.it
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Castello di Nipozzano – Frescobaldi
Built 1,000 years ago to guard Florence, Castello di Nipozzano has a storied wine-making history. Great artists such as Donatello and Michelozzi regularly purchased wine from the estate, as well as did many of their contemporaries. The Castello was destroyed in 1944 then partially rebuilt however the original cellar at the Renaissance villa survived.
The vineyard is a real working farm with more than 600 hectares under production including olive trees and an on-site olive press. Chianina and Angus cows can be seen roaming free in the fields. A visit to Castello di Nipozzano includes a tour of the impressive cellars where Chianti Rufina (the higher appellation in the Chianti area) is aged. Other highlights include a tasting room set in an old kitchen as well as views of well-maintained vineyards across the valley. For true collectors, old vintages start from 1864 but Marchese Lamberto Frescobaldi is very fond of the 1960, 1974 and 1981 vintages and is happy to recommend to guests.
Open on weekdays. Visits must be booked in advance.
Restaurant: There is no restaurant, but visits can be requested to include a meal using products grown on the property.
Via di Nipozzano, 50060 Pelago, Florence.
+39 055 8311050 | www.frescobaldi.it
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Ristorante Dei Lorena
Enjoy a range of light and healthy dining options prepared with the utmost attention to detail, following the refined philosophy of Chef Umberto Toscano. Select your favourite items from the Grande Carte menu, the Tuscan menu, the Vegetarian Menu or the low-calorie menu. The restaurant also serves a delightful selection of traditional Tuscan fare, including the Mucco Pisano (beef from Pisa), Truffle from San Miniato, and Bluefish. Enjoy views of the Leaning Tower of Pisa while you dine.
Address:
Largo Percy Bysshe Shelley 18, 56017 San Giuliano Terme (7km from Pisa)
Open daily for lunch and dinner
www.bagnidipisa.com
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Tenuta di Capezzana – Carmignano
Just a few miles from Florence towards Prato lies Tenuta di Capezzana. The estate has been producing wine and extra-virgin olive oil since AD 804 so a visit to the property is a step back in time. The winery features a wine bar, La Vinsantaia (open April-October), where guests can enjoy informal wine tastings as well as food. Tenuta di Capezzana is a large and diversified estate with 650ha of forests, organic vineyards, olive groves and even a cooking school. In summer, don’t miss the terrace with views of Florence’s famous Duomo. For those looking to purchase, the winery offers an impressive list of vintages starting from the 1930s. Of particular note are the 1968 and 1988 vintages.
Open Monday to Saturday.
Tours start from €10 per person for a tour and tasting. Includes three wines. Booking in advance is recommended.
Restaurant: The Vinsantaia wine bar offers food based on organic products, plus a range of the estate’s wines.
Via Capezzana 100, 59015 Carmignano.
+39 0577 746031 | www.castellodiama.com
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Sassicaia – Tenuta San Guido
Tenuta San Guido is 3km from the coast and only 10km from the highest hill in the area. Here Italy’s first vine cuttings of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc were planted by Marchesi Mario lncisa della Rocchetta in 1944, to produce his own house wine. The wine then was just a table wine, with no relation to any famous appellation – hence the term Super Tuscan was born to describe this masterpiece and its later iterations. It was the beginning of one of the great wine revolutions of the 20th century.
Just a few years ago, Tenuta San Guido built a new cellar to host barrels of Sassicaia. Visiting the property can be a challenge, however if you can secure an arranged tour the winery staff take you through the production and ageing rooms and help explain the mystique behind Super Tuscans.
Access for exclusive tours is limited and slots fill up far in advance.
Restaurant: The Osteria San Guido doubles as a wine shop and a charming restaurant serving flavourful Tuscan dishes served by Giuseppe Rossi.
The wine list has a number of vintages of Sassicaia and other top Bolgheri wines. There’s also a wine bar for those looking to indulge further.
Le Capanne 27, 57022 Bolgheri.
+39 0565 762003 | www.tenutasanguido.com
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Franco Biondi Santi – Tenuta Greppo
Tenuta II Greppo is located high up in the hills of Montalcino. The Ancient, rocky clay, Tuscan galestro, is the best soil for cultivating Sangiovese grapes and the wines here are old school, ageing up to three years in big Slavonian oak casks. Visiting Franco Biondi Santi is like taking a step into Brunello history. The friendly staff lead guests through the beautiful estate, including the cellar. The tour concludes with a tasting of current release Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino or, if desired, a more extensive tasting
Open weekdays by appointment only
Basic tour and tastings are €15 per person and may cost more, depending on which wines you taste.
Villa Greppo 183,53024 Montalcino
+39 0577 848087 | www.biondisanti.it
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Castiglion del Bosco
The ancient hamlet of Castiglion del Bosco was built around AD 1100, right in the heart of the Orcia valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its breath-taking landscape.
Massimo Ferragamo bought the estate 11 years ago and turned it into a beautiful winery producing modern-style Brunelle and one of Italy’s most sought-after golf courses, designed by Tom Weiskopf.
The wine tour starts in the barrel cellar,an impressive wooden amphitheatre, and finishes in the slick tasting room. Be sure not to miss a visit to the Campo del Drago vineyard – one of the most picturesque in Italy.
Various types of visits can be arranged at a time to suit, depending on your interests. Booking beforehand is required.
Restaurant: Campo del Drago is known for its excellent fare and elegant surroundings. For a more casual dining experience, there is a traditional trattoria and cosy wine bar with a stunning terrace overlooking the valley – the wine list offers top Italian wines at great prices.
Address: Localita Castiglion del Bosco, 53024 Montalcino.
+39 0577 1913001 | www.castigliondelbosco.com
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Ornellaia
Ornellaia is a name which challenges the notion that you need to be old to be a legend, especially in Italy. Their story began in 1981 when the Antinori family decided to invest in the Bolgheri region, previously famous for its fruit trees. The first vineyard was planted in 1982, followed by another ten years later. The Merlot variety in the area was introduced by Tenuta dell’ Ornellaia the winery has become well known for their Super Tuscan, pure-hearted Merlot label Masseto. A tour starts in the cellar,where contemporary artworks greet guests, then onto the barrel cellar, the “barricaia, “where the French barriques enfold and mature the base wines that will make up Ornellaia and Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia, the vineyard’s notable second wine.
Book a weekday tour online.
Address:
Localita Ornellaia, 57022 Castagneto Carducci (90 minutes’ drive)
www.ornellaia.com