Italians aspire to live la dolce vita, a concept which is so much more than its translation suggests; the sweet life is not about indulgence or excess but the ability to gain enjoyment from the simple things. Tuscany, with its slow-paced, Mediterranean living, is not only the epitome of this, but also the incarnation of our dreamlike visions of traditional Italy: an azure coastline, olive groves, indulgent yet modest cuisine and farmhouses like Tenuta La Bandita, with their shutters thrown open to greet the rising sun. A visit here is sure to relax, recharge and remind you of the beauty of simplicity.
As you walk, the crunch of gravel underfoot is what grounds you in the here and now. Your mind whirs as the typical villa you imagined in your daydreams materialises before your eyes. As a welcome drink is placed in your hand, you begin to soak in the understated farmhouse grandeur of your surroundings, embodying the Tuscany you had so longed to encounter.
Famished from your travels, you crave your first taste of Italy. Perusing the menu at Ristorante La Bandita, you can see why Tuscany is often called the larder of la cucina italiana. Your choices, rustic and hearty plates, taste as though they could only have been made by the hands of Italian grandmothers, whose recipes have nourished generations.
With your dropping eyes induced by a satiated stomach, you decide on a decadently early night. As you retire to your bedroom, you are welcomed by a complimentary bottle of wine. The pop of the cork and the satisfying glug as the contents spill in to your glass makes the wine taste all the better.
You take pleasure in selection morsels from the breakfast spread, decorating a plate with a plethora of different choices. As you step into the open air and breathe in the scents of a new day, you muse that time in nature where it both grounds and lifts you. Strolling in a loop around the extensive, tree-shaded grounds, you admire the tenacity of the dainty wildflowers scattered in your path who bloom exactly where they choose.
Perhaps la dolce vita isn’t so elusive after all?
The hotel’s rural location nestled amongst 50 hectares of rolling hills and beautifully gnarled trees.
The hotel’s traditional Italian villa style with sweeping arches and decorative climbers that give its guests a real sense of place.
The zero-kilometre philosophy of Ristorante La Bandita, where Tuscan farmhouse cuisine is lovingly handmade with ingredients sourced exclusively from the hotel’s farm.
The opportunity to take a dip in the refreshing pool or pick up a racket in the hotel grounds.
