Castello di Casole Hotel

A short drive from Siena and the thundering hooves of the famous biannual Palio horse race is the pin-drop peace and quiet of this luxurious Tuscan retreat. Set within 40ha of vineyards and olive groves, it was home to a string of movie stars and Italian nobility in the Sixties, notably Austrian actor Helmut Berger, star of The Godfather Part III, and Italian filmmaker Luchino Visconti. The Castello’s cosy Bar Visconti is named after him. Built in the ruins of a 10th-century castle, the estate offers suites, penthouse and villa accommodation, all with a decor that blends rugged wooden beams and original brickwork with elegant modern touches such as ornate silk curtains, marble bathrooms and cooling terracotta tiles. Chef Daniele Sera draws on the area’s rich bounty of wine, oil and meat for his modern spin on Tuscan-accented specials at Ristorante Tosca. Signature dishes include egg yolk with black truffle, lobster panzanella, made with local bread, and slow-cooked venison fillet with beetroot. The Essere Spa, meanwhile, offers an escape from the sun in its pools, steam rooms and candlelit relaxation areas.