Borgo San Luigi ★★★★

Back in the 17th century, the hotel was a tiny rural village – a Borgo – made up of five or so separate buildings. Today, the farmhouses, hayloft, foresteria, and old olive oil mill have been renovated and transformed into 73 inviting rooms and apartments decorated in pure Tuscan style with beautiful beamed ceilings, terracotta flooring, and antique furnishings. Spacious and romantic, they are all decorated in rich, earthy shades of red, orange, and yellow, mirroring the changing spectrum of colours of the surrounding Chianti grapevines. Some are equipped with majestic four-poster beds and most have private terraces or balconies that look out onto the beautifully-landscaped gardens.

You may not actually spend a lot of time in your room, as the resort greatly encourages outdoor living – from breakfast on your private terrace, to drinks by the poolside, to the wide variety of sports and activities that can be organised during your visit by the hotel concierge. On site, you will find tennis courts, a football pitch, a bocce court (if you fancy trying out a local pastime that dates back to the ancient Romans), and an Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool complete with paddling pool for the little ones. The gardens also provide many acres of lush woodlands to explore and discover on foot, by bike or in a 4X4 (ask for a guided tour at reception).

More elaborate tours can also be arranged for those who wish to delve into the rolling countryside of Tuscany. History buffs will enjoy a day trip to Fonterutoli or Brolio to explore ancient Etruscan and Roman ruins. Architecture enthusiasts will fall head over heels for the city of Siena, the embodiment of medieval design that rivals it better-known neighbour (which needs no introduction), Florence. Nature lovers will fall in love with the picture-perfect scenery. And for visitors who wish to research the origins of the whimsical nickname of ‘Chiantishire’, a wine-tasting is a must! Guests can opt for a classic bus tour if they so desire, but other fun options are also available, like renting a vintage two-seater Alfa Romeo or even a Ferrari for those with a need for speed! Just be careful how much ‘tasting’ you actually do!

If you like to exert yourself in the open-air, the Borgo San Luigi is ideally located with plenty of adrenaline-pumping activities to choose from. Go quad-biking in the hills of Siena, or rafting down one of the many rivers that embellish the region. For a different perspective, take an early morning hot air balloon flight over the vineyards. Horse-riding is also a very popular activity in the region. The hotel can organise relaxing walks or sporty excursions supervised by expert instructors for those who wish to really feel at one with nature.

Whether you are in Tuscany with the whole family or as a couple for a romantic getaway, for a gastronomic tour or a sport-filled vacation, the Borgo San Luigi will not fail to please. If by the end of your stay, you still don’t understand what it is about Tuscany that we Brits love so much, you may have to come back for another wonderful holiday in the very near future!