Relais Villa Petrischio ★★★★

Our long-awaited Italian trip had been planned as a relaxing escape from the hectic pace of life and work, and even to some extent as a complete change from frantic city sightseeing, wonderful though that can be at the right time and in the right place. This was our chance to enjoy simple pleasures: countryside, sunsets, good food and wine, and breathtaking views, all bathed in the bountiful Tuscan sunshine.

We arrived to such a welcoming scene; it was all we had imagined and more. A collection of classic Italian villas in a parkland area, the natural stone buildings imbued with an amber glow in the afternoon sun. The complex is on a gentle slope which gives it truly stunning views over the countryside and offers a wide open, free sense of space, surrounded by the rolling Tuscany hills and distant mountains. We took in the tranquil flower-fringed open-air pool with views over the hills and fields, gently sloping gardens where you can relax on a sun lounger under the dappled shade of a tree, and an elegant avenue lined with the signature Tuscany cypress trees … what a picture of spacious serenity! Apart from the main villa, we could see a separate stone-built lodge in the grounds with a pretty pool spanned by a wooden bridge and surrounded by shrubs.

We had considered one of the apartments in their own detached villa, and they did look lovely – both spacious and private - yet since there were only two of us, we had decided on a room in the villa. We in no way regretted our choice. The villa has 18 bedrooms, all different, and ours looked out onto the park and swimming pool. There was a traditional wrought-iron bedstead, Italian-tiled flooring, some lovely rugs and classic armchairs, exposed country-style stone arches, and a pretty floral bedspread. It had an almost country-cottage feel, but with lovely period furniture and a definite sense of luxury. We certainly aimed to embrace the simple life, but had no intention of foregoing modern comforts like Wi-Fi, TV, fridge, and mini-bar! Everything we needed was there.

Once settled in, our first simple pleasure was a dip in the pool. Built on a natural terrace, it offers amazing views in almost every direction right, with your gaze stretching across the fields with olive, pine, and cypress trees all the way to the Valdichiana hills in the distance. You have the same sense of space and wonderful openness from the restaurant in the evening. It is quite magical to see the lights spread out all around and be sipping a glass of Tuscan wine in the cool evening air and enjoying an excellent dinner, made from local ingredients. Small occasions can indeed become great pleasures!
If you want to venture further afield, there are lots of simple activities like walking, cycling, horse-riding and golf all easily accessible in the surrounding area, as well as wine tours and cookery classes for those more Epicurean than sporty in nature. We explored the nearby pretty hillside town of Cortona – that in itself was quite some exercise due to the steep streets and paths. There are some amazing pieces of Etruscan and Egyptian art in the Cortona Etruscan Museum, not forgetting the lovely little shops and cafes around the main square, the Piazza della Repubblica.

Our abiding memory of our Tuscan break will be of small occasions becoming great pleasures, all of them enhanced to perfection by our stay in the Relais Villa Petrischio.