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Villa Le Barone
an "Abitare la Storia" Historic Hotel
50020 Panzano in Chianti - Firenze - Italy
*Villa Le Barone opens for the year on March 20th 2008*
Set amongst the timeless landscape of Chianti, in the hometown of Mona Lisa, Villa Le
Barone has been in the famous Della Robbia family since the 16th century. The old manor
house has been renovated becoming an inviting and intimate home, maintaining the character
of a private house with its cheerful bedrooms and sitting rooms, furniture, paintings,
books and romantic objects of the family past.
The swimming pool, tennis court and terraces are set amongst large rose gardens, with
views on the surrounding countryside, olive groves and the vineyards of Chianti Classico.
In the old winery, the restaurant serves typical Tuscan food and famous local Chianti
wines. Villa Le Barone is ideal for those who love peace and relaxation, as well as for
those who want to enjoy the pool, tennis court and sight seeing in the Chianti region.
History
Villa Le Barone was built as a tower in the middle ages and was the seat of a Baronetcy,
hence the name "Le Barone". During the Renaissance, the tower was torn down and
converted into the main Farm building. A residence of the famous Della Robbia family since
the 16th century, it was restored after the First World War by Marchesa Maria Bianca
Viviani Della Robbia as a wine estate.
Maria Bianca was the granddaughter of François de Larderel, a French 18 th century
industrialist, who discovered and developed the extraction of boric acid from the
geothermal vapors in Tuscany. (From Le Barone you can visit Larderello). Marie
Bianca's daughter, Duchess Franca Visconti, converted the Villa into a charming hotel,
retaining the refined atmosphere of an old private house, with its furniture, paintings,
books and romantic objects from the past. Le Barone has been renovated to offer all the
modern necessary comfort and is now the property of Duchess Franca Visconti's heirs,
who are spending part of the year in Le Barone.
Rooms
Villa Le Barone has 28 individually decorated rooms: each of them has a unique character,
with antique furniture, old prints on the walls, pretty fabrics and brightly-colored
spreads, terracotta floors. Some of them have rafters and beams. Rooms are in the Main
Villa or in renovated cottages and barns. Some have have their own terrace. Two rooms have
an historical character: one was Maria Bianca Vivani Della Robbia's room, which has kept
its original furniture. The other is located in the tower, overlooking the vineyards, with
XVIth century tapestries. To maintain tranquility and authenticity, the rooms have not
been equipped with TVs. However, there is a TV lounge in the common areas. Fresh flowers
or fresh seasonal fruits are offered in every room.
Common Areas
Drawing rooms and Lounges:
Villa Le Barone offers a number of rooms for guests to relax, read or write. On cooler
autumn days, during the grape harvest, guests can sit by one of the two fireplaces. During
all seasons, large fresh bouquets are placed in the various rooms.
Bar:
Guests can also gather at the bar and help themselves at any time. Internet services and
TV lounge available.
Gardens:
Guests of Villa Le Barone can relax in the large rose gardens, vineyards and olive groves,
scented with lavender, rosemary and sage. The swimming pool is located in one of the rose
gardens with a view on the San Leolino church and hamlet. Snacks and salads dressed with
Villa Le Barone olive oil can be served by the pool. The tennis court has a panoramic view
over the surrounding countryside. A tennis table is also available. Sunsets from the
gardens and from the swimming pool terrace will make the joy of the romantics.
Dining:
We pay the greatest attention to the quality of our food products: fresh, local and
natural are our main selection criteria.
Breakfast
Breakfast (including croissants, various sorts of breads, cereals, fruit juices, homemade
jams, ham and cheese…) is served in the Main Villa or on the terrace.
Lunch
Salads dressed with Villa Le Barone olive oil and other snacks can be served on the
terrace or by the pool.
Dinner
Dinner is served in the restaurant in the old winery. It is a four course meal with a
choice of menu, including many typical Tuscan dishes prepared with local products.
An abundant and varied “antipasto” buffet is served every night. The wine card
includes a large choice of Chianti wines, many of which come from the famous nearby
wineries.
Sightseeing and excursions organized by Villa Le Barone
Ideally positioned in the heart of Chianti, Villa Le Barone is a peaceful haven from which
to explore the well-known Tuscan cities famous for their artistic treasures: Florence
(at 29km from Villa Le Barone), Siena (at 33km), San Gimignano (at 40km).
Closer to Villa Le Barone, other smaller cities are worth seeing for their
atmosphere, architecture, such as Lamole, Castellina, Montefiorale or Greve (hometown of
Mona Lisa, the model of Leonardo Da Vinci, and of Giovanni Da Verrazzano, who discovered
the Hudson bay of New York)...
Villa Le Barone organizes tours for their guests, at their request, with qualified
guide in Florence allowing to visit places usually not open to the public: culinary
tour (discover the secrets of the Italian cuisine), five sense tour (see, smell, touch,
hear and taste like Lorenzo Il Magnifico), Michel Angelo tour (follow the steps of the
Florentine genius)...
Festival, concerts and local events
A number of concerts and festivals are organized in San Leolino, Greve and other nearby
historical churches and villas. Villa Le Barone will be pleased to book for its guests
seats for the Florentine Maggio Musicale and for the Palio of Siena as well as other local
events.
Cooking courses
Villa Le Barone organizes cooking courses on demand (demonstration only or practice
classes).
Wine tasting
Visits to nearby wineries can be easily arranged including tasting of the best Chianti
Classico. Wine festivals are held in Greve and Panzano during the first two weeks of
September. Every 2 weeks, Villa Le Barone organizes free wine tasting on its premises.
Sports
In addition to tennis and swimming at Villa Le Barone, guests can go golfing at the 18
holes Golf dell' Ugolino (19km from Villa Le Barone). Through Villa Le Barone, one can
also rent a 4 rooms (2 bedrooms) cottage in front of hole 15 of the Golf. It is possible
to rent mountain bikes at Le Barone to discover the magnificent Tuscan countryside. Guests
can also hike through the numerous nearby paths. All information is provided at the Villa.
Other local activities
Near Villa Le Barone, there are many attractive weekly local markets (Panzano in
Chianti, Greve, Siena...). One can also visit Impruneta’s terracotta factories. Olive
picking to make olive oil usually takes place in October.
Rates 2008
Comfort Room from 200 - 260 Euro
Classic Room from 240 - 300 Euro
Superior Room from 270 - 330 Euro
Historic Room from 295 - 355 Euro
*Rates are per night include VAT, service, breakfast, & dinner!
*From November 1st rooms are available on bed & breakfast basis*
To see photos of Villa Le Barone please click here.
To view directions and a map of the area surrounding the Villa Le Barone please click here.
For more information or to schedule your stay
please contact:
Small & Elegant Hotels, International
9425 Whispering Sands
West Olive, MI 49460
TEL: (616) 844-6000 / FAX: (616) 844-6042
E-Mail: res@smallandeleganthotels.com
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