HOTEL OF THE WEEK
VILLA MANGIACANE FLORENCE, ITALY
BANISHED FROM Florence, the Italian politician and writer Niccolò Machiavelli was exiled to his family’s estate in the Chianti region.
Machiavelli focussed on his writing, most notably producing The Prince, but was tormented by the sight of his beloved Florence on the horizon.
It may have provided little comfort to the notable Sixteenth Century figure, but the spectacular vista is a source of tremendous pleasure for visitors in search of respite from the city’s hustle and bustle.
Dating back to the fifteenth century, the Villa Mangiacane was built for the Machiavelli family, though Niccolò himself never lived here. Some say Michaelangelo was instrumental in its design, nestled among 600 acres of luscious vineyards and olive groves. Now a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World network, the villa was sold by the political dynasty in 1645 after which it fell into disrepair.
In 2000 Glynn Cohen, art-lover and Zimbabwean entrepreneur, stepped in to revive its fortunes with a multimillion pound facelift. Perhaps the most admirable details at the villa are found in the beautifully restored Renaissance frescos which were uncovered in the revival process.
The hotel blends luxury with intimacy and Italian hospitality with African charm. The walls are covered with an inspiring collection of paintings and photographs and within the grounds, you will find more than 200 examples of original sculptures by the Zimbabwean Shona tribe, one of the largest collections of its kind in Europe. It also produces four wines and a top quality extra virgin olive oil.
Guests can rent one of the 28 rooms and suites or hire the villa in its entirety. It is a popular destination for honeymooning couples with its two outdoor pools, glorious gardens and picturesque grounds. Yet best of all is the outdoor terrace in the main villa, offering a view across the Tuscan hills to Florence.
There is a quick and convenient shuttle service into the city, but if you prefer to keep your retreat rural, the villa offers many varied activities, including horse riding, hot air ballooning, wine tasting and cookery classes.
A visit here is an all-round sensory experience, from the glorious smells of the herb garden to the food in the restaurant. Spend as little as a weekend at Mangiacane and you leave feeling relaxed and refreshed. Twelve years into my own marriage, it felt like a second honeymoon as we sipped on Mangiacane’s Chianti Classico and listened to the chorus of birds as we gazed across at Florence.
RATES: Classic rooms from £260.00 and The Royal Suite costs from £1,690 per night www.akvillas.com