Castel Monastero

That is the key to Castel Monastero, an old mediaeval hamlet embraced by sturdy walls that has defied time without turning its back on its past. From an out-of-the-way monastery shrouded in the peaceful silence of the Tuscan hills back in the 11th century it became a country retreat for the noble Chigi Saracini family, a cathedral of style in the flourishing green expanse threaded by cypress trees just a hop and a skip from Siena. Today, it is a sophisticated resort and a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. As befits its noble origins, it offers true Italian hospitality, extending a warm and traditional yet impeccable welcome, with excellent food that finds a divine marriage in the local DOC wines and a natural vocation for helping you get back in shape. The galloping excitement of the nearby Palio; the sublime mastery of Piero della Francesca; the fervour of the Etruscan civilisation this heady mix of vibrant Tuscan culture seems to come straight out of another era. F...