A castle stands on a hill around a medieval watchtower, built to look over the whole Val d'Orcia, in a time when the struggles between Florence and Siena for supremacy were almost customary. In more peaceful times, in the Renaissance, the panoramic position is too happy not to transform the castle into the residential villa of Velona, which is represented in the Vatican map gallery thanks to the work of the famous geographer and mathematician Ignazio Santi. We are talking about history but also of the present, because today Castello di Velona is a magnificent luxury resort, after the restoration work in 1997, which enhanced the remains of the ancient structures and added residential spaces by integrating them into the landscape of the Tuscan hills and historical specificity of the site.
Castello di Velona: regenerating mind, body and spirit in the heart of Tuscany
After the lockdown, Castello di Velona was the first resort to have reopened its doors in all of Tuscany since mid-June. Located 8 km from Montalcino, land of Brunello celebrated wine all over the world, among olive trees and vineyards, it is a very convenient hub for visiting Siena, Pienza, Montepulciano just to mention some places of art and culture. Few resorts can boast this fusion of tradition and modernity, a sense of isolation but with an always timely care that makes guests feel special, and a position within an area declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from which you can admire the rising sun and set from every point. Peeking thorugh the comments of the guests, I was struck by who, in addition to praising the rooms, the view, the kitchen, wrote “the perfect place for a writer who must be inspired! The rooms and suites are of many types, some suitable for families: Castel Rooms, Balcony Junior Suite, Unesco View terrace Suite, Unesco View terrace Junior Suite, Unesco View terrace Royal Suite. Terracotta floors, travertine bathroom, coffered and frescoed ceilings, panoramic terraces, patios and private thermal pools, amazing views. For every need there is an accommodation solution. There are also apartments with a private thermal pool. Castle Pool Terrace Apartment has an area of 250 square meters on two levels with a private thermal pool of 150 square meters..
Two elements of extraordinary value enrich this context of beauty and nature: food and wine and wellness. We have mentioned the Brunello di Montalcino, the resort has vineyards in its estates and produces its own wine absolutely to try. The Settimo Cielo restaurant is not only superlative for its creative cuisine inspired by the Tuscan and Italian tradition but it also superb for its panoramic terrace that makes dinners particularly romantic. Then there is the Brunello, an excellent restaurant in the dining room of the original castle, and the Dolce Vita overlooking the swimming pool, also suitable for tantalizing light lunches. For fans of gastronomy, Castello Di Velona also has a dedicated program that allows them to dine in the best restaurants in the area, among them 4 Michelin stars: Il Silene, Da Caino, Cum Quibis, Bracali.
Finally, I left wellness last because it is something truly unique. I have already mentioned the private thermal pools of some types of accommodation. The Olispa is an oasis of relaxation and occupies a space of 1500 square meters, an incredible system of connected indoor and outdoor pools with natural thermal water, sauna, Turkish bath, relaxation rooms with jacuzzi, all spaces where Travertine, a prestigious Tuscan marble dominates. Last but not least, 10 Spa cabins for special treatments with honey, wine, local spices and olive oil. Regenerating the body, the mind, the spirit in the heart of Tuscany, this is what promises a holiday in this wonderful resort. Feel free to contact me for information and reservations
