Located on a gorgeous 15th Century property in Tuscany, Italy – Villa Mangiacane is a magnificent villa atop a cypress shaded hill. This luxury villa is only 7 miles south of the Renaissance city of Florence. In addition, it’s just a short, 25 minute drive from the Florence International Airport.

Villa Mangiacane can be found in the heart of Chianti Classico, a well known winemaking region in Italy. Being centrally located in Tuscany, feel free to explore the surrounding area. Included is Florence, San Gimignano, plus the awesome city of Siena.

The luxurious villa was originally built for the Machiavelli family. The design has many unique characteristics of Michelangelo, the iconic artist from the influential, Renaissance period. As a result, Villa Mangiacane is the finest, luxury boutique resort and winery in Tuscany, Italy.

As a guest, you will enjoy a VIP expereince and receive a five-star luxury accommodation. The property features twenty-eight individually designed rooms and suites. Each is simply stunning. The villa’s proprty encompasses about 600 acres of lush vineyards, as well as olive groves. This private estate produces a wide array of award winning wines. In addition, it produces vin santo and grappa, plus a distinctive olive oil. Stroll along the numerous footpaths and take in the site’s vines and about 6,000 olive trees. You are just a five-minute walk to the nearby Machiavelli museum at Albergaccio.

This villa is the perfect destination for a luxury vacation or to celebrate a special occasion. It’s ideal for a honeymoon, anniversary or simply a romantic weekend getaway. Therefore, it should also be considered for any private event. From a corporate meeting, cocktail party, to a wedding or photo shoot, Villa Mangiacane is the perfect venue to host a VIP event.

Back in 2001, the villas’s owners began a multi-million-dollar renovation. The project occurred with guidance from Gianclaudio Papasogli Tacca, a Florentine architect. plus Ralf Krall, an international interior decorator. The end result is spectacular! The 28 guest rooms in the estate are filled with original artwork and furniture that has been collected from around the world. Not overbearing, the interior design emulates the comfort of a private home. Hence, you get the feeling of experiencing the best of old-world hospitality, at every turn.

The rooms are split between two different properties. All rooms provide awesome views of Florence, gardens or vineyards and the nearby rolling hills. Durng your stay in the main Palazzo Machiavelli, you’ll be surrounded with original Renaissance art. The villa’s numerous terraces offering provide grand vistas of the adjacent Tuscan landscape. For those staying at the exclusive Villa Mazzei, estate guests can enjoy beautiful views of the amazing infinity pool and bar. Plus gaze at the immaculate gardens and scenic views across Chianti.

Foodies will be treated to fine dining options like no other. Therefore, villa guests can choose from many dining options. Enjoy a private meal in the seclusion of your own room with in-room service. For a full feast dining experience, eat in the Estate’s gourmet restaurant. In the morning, try an outdoors fresh breakfast and take in the Tuscan countryside.

Maybe for lunch, dine by the pool and enjoy a refreshing light lunch around the pool. For dinner, dine in the elegant restaurant. Or for something a bit lighter, go al fresco in the relaxing Herb Garden. The property also provides a private dinner option in the Barricaia, Wine Cellar. A true intimate experience awaits. In addition, enjoy a meal at The Chef’s Table, offered inside the historic villa kitchen.

One needs to get out and explore all Tuscany has to offer. The onsite staff is very attentive and always available to help arrange a selection of exciting excursions. Consider city tours, half or full day wine tours, art and culture excursions and shopping tours. For those who want to try adventure, partake in a various outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking or even a hot air balloon ride! After a fun day exploring, unwind and get pampered at the relaxing Garden Spa. Choose from a selection of luxury spa services.

Guests at Villa Mangiacane will experience the best life has to offer. Feel like royalty and take in authentic Tuscan hospitality. You will take back home a memorable VIP experience. The joy of modern day convenience, seamlessly combined with the splendor of the Renaissance etched away forever.

The Life of Luxury can assist with all your vacation or private event plans at Villa Mangiacane. Please come back soon and follow our luxury blog. We love sharing the best news in the luxury travel industry.

Photo: Villa Mangiacane

Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort

Tuscany in Italy has long been one of the most desirable vacation destinations anywhere in the world. Tuscany offers visitors with an area rich in culture and the perfect Italian setting with natural thermal spas and outstanding dining options.

Two of Tuscany’s leading resorts are Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort and La Posta Vecchia, and they have teamed up to offer an incredible Tuscan experience, titled the “Etrurian Style Package.”

The luxurious Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort and its village are located at the base of the medieval village of Saturnia. The area has been popular since ancient times as a body & mind healing mecca. The attraction is the famous “healing” thermal spring waters, which flow at a constant 98 degrees Fahrenheit.

Guest who purchase the Etrurian Style Package will enjoy the wide variety of luxury resort amenities such as: luxury accommodations, dinner for two at All’Acquacoota, daily breakfast, therapeutic thermal pools, plus the acclaimed Four Hands Saturnia Massage Shower, just awarded with a Michelin-star rating. Also enjoy private transfers between the tow luxury Tuscan resorts, in addition to a private tour of Second Century Roman Museum which hosts an amazing collection of artifacts.

Fall is one of the most desirable times of the year to enjoy Tuscany. Smaller crows and wonderful, moderate temperate await you. You can experience the Etrurian Style Package between September 16 – October 31, 2012. Packages rates begin at €554 per room, per night.

Just 40 minutes north of Rome, the five-star La Posta Vecchia is found on the scenic shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea. La Posta Vecchia is an intimate Renaissance-built country house. built in 1640
by Prince Orisini, the property served as a host to distinguished visitors
since ancient Roman times as it was often used a picturesque respite for
travelers making their way on horseback along the Aurelia road, from Tuscany
to Rome.

Complete details of the Etrurian Style Package are as follows:
* Minimum 4-night stay (2 nights at Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort and 2
nights at La Posta Vecchia)
* Accommodations in a De Luxe Room (room upgrade upon availability)
* Daily buffet breakfast
* Welcome fresh fruit basket, upon arrival
* Dinner for two at the Michelin-starred All’acquacoota at Terme di Saturnia (beverages not included)
* One Four-Hands Saturnia Massage Shower per person at Terme di Saturnia’s SPA
* Private transfer between properties
* A three-course gourmet dinner featuring “Chef’s selection” per person (beverages not included) at The Cesar, the Michelin-starred restaurant at La Posta Vecchia
* Guided tour of the Second Century Roman Museum
* Terme di Saturnia: Use of the famed thermal pools, sauna and steam bath, sun bed in hot pools park, wi-fi, guided morning walk, access to the gym (not classes), golf driving range, tennis court, parking, tax and service
* La Posta Vecchia: Use of private beach platform and heated sea-water swimming pool, access to health & beauty center, gym, tennis court and car garage, wi-fi, snacks and drinks from mini-bar, tax and service

Il Falconiere – Tuscany, Italy

When searching for art, monuments, museums, culture, history, food, wine, and of course, romance, Italy will always come up top on the short list.  Strada del Vino Terre di Arezzo in Tuscany is offering all of that plus a true vineyard experience.

In addition to exploring museums, enjoying good food and learning how to cook authentic Italian cuisine, Strada del Vino Terre di Arezzo is also educating its guests on how some of the finest wines are produced and bottled.

Strada del Vino Terre di Arezzo spans across about 124 miles in the heart of Tuscany and includes 19 cities such as Cortona, the main cultural and art center of Tuscany; the medieval appeal and culture of Arezzo; and the religious center of majestic cathedrals located in Valdarno.  This region of Tuscany is known for full-bodied wines such as Vinsanto di Chianti, Chianti DOCG, and Cortona DOC.

Established in 2000, Strada del Vino Terre di Arezzo is an organization made up of private and public institutions that aim to bring together vineyards and wine companies.  Today, it has grown to a membership of 180 participants, including farms, inns, wineries, wine bars, and restaurants.  Among that list are a small group of villas that specializes in the perfect Tuscany experience.

One of the villas, Il Falconiere Relais & Chateaux, is a classic Tuscan villa dating back to the 17^th century.  The first thing anyone immediately notices is its serene countryside locale and elegant décor.  Each of their twenty rooms is uniquely designed with their own color and décor, representative of classic refinement of Tuscan homes.  Inspired by the famous book and movie, Under the Tuscan Sun, the villa holds daily cooking classes personally taught by the owner, Silvia Baracchi.

Switching gears to Valdarno, the Tenuta il Borro offers a completely different accommodation experience by matching modern hospitality with a medieval setting.  Owned by the Ferragamo family, the Il Borro is surrounded by vineyards and sunflower fields.  Fully taking advantage of the landscape of the Pratomagno mountains, the Il Borro currently has 45 hectares of vineyards, all of which are between 300 and 500 meters above sea level, giving it optimal viticulture conditions for Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.

The third accommodation variety is the Mannucci Droandi estate.  Unlike the Il Faclconiere Relais & Chateaux and the Il Borro, the Azienda Agricola Mannucci Droandi estate focuses on farming and winemaking traditions.  It’s characterized by a large, square stone farmhouse sitting in wild, unspoiled countryside, where the woods almost dominate the few cultivated areas.

Last but not least of the notable accommodations in the Strada del Vino Terre di Arezzo, is the Azienda Agricola La Torre.  The La Torre compound was once Chiassa Superiore’s fortification site, a medieval Lombard castle.  Today, the building is much more approachable with a paved interior courtyard connects the main residence to the adjoining farmhouses.  The Relais consists of five suites, a reception hall, and a historical chapel established in 1756.

Located on the hills of Arezzo, La Torre’s wines are known for having very fruity notes.  In addition to producing wine and olive oil, the sweet “straw wine”, Vin Santo, is also one of La Torre’s specialties.  With food, wine, culture, history, and nature, Strada del Vino Terre di Arezzo is a one stop vacation spot that gives you the most complete Italian experience.