Residenza d'Arte

I was longing for a holiday of slow days, where my pace of life could be slowed down to an almost standstill, where I could have time to savour every little moment no matter how short it was and forget the rush of normal daily life. Once the chance came I grabbed it with both hands and instantly I knew the place to go; Tuscany, a countryside haven of peaceful ventures and slow pleasures, king of locally sourced, sensational slow food. My plan however was missing two things; my beloved husband and the Residenza D’Arte!

Spending time with my husband always reminds me of that day that Cupid match-made us with his heart-shaped arrows, and when we arrived at the Residence D’Arte I felt that Cupid was pulling at his bow again to let off another shooting heart-arrow, but this time it involved our new guesthouse, which my husband and I could not help but irresistibly fall in love with from the moment that we arrived. Our familial hosts, Anna, Francesca and Biagio greeted us with Italian smiles from ear to ear.

Throughout the week we shared many a conversation with our hosts especially the great cappuccino-maker, Francesca and the great artist Anna whose artwork is displayed throughout the guesthouse. Biagio didn’t hesitate to give us his list of well-recommended establishments in the area – there’s nothing like a local’s “know-how”. Our conversations over breakfast were the best; the family were genuinely interested in our travel plans and wanted to help as much as they could. They also informed us on the history of the place and little anecdotes on their lives. It was great to share moments of our lives together.

But it wasn’t only conversation that was shared with us throughout the stay; Anna’s art fills the converted monastery, sharing her beautiful skills that capture the female body. Our deluxe bedroom was a lavish and refined boudoir decorated with tableaus and enchanting antique furniture. The bare stone walls evoked a traditional Etruscan atmosphere whilst the patterned wardrobe and other ornate furniture reminded us of the historic surroundings. The Residenza D’Arte was also slowly converting us into art connoisseurs, as we fell gently to sleep amongst the contemporary paintings. 

Such a visual showcase stimulated our conversation over our meals. We loved having breakfast on the terrace enjoying the warm sunlight of the morning, though evening meals in the interior of the restaurant were also a treat with the chairs and tables made by Anna herself! In fact, whatever concerned the food made by the Izzo family, was a treat, every dish served was exactly how I imagined Etruscan food to be, delectable and fantastic!

The Residenza offers many tours and classes, but for our stay here my husband and I wanted nothing more than to relax and take life slowly. We scheduled little and tried to be spontaneous with our travels and were well rewarded with idyllic villages and the awe and beauty of the city of Siena. This part of Italy simply has so many hidden treasures!