UNDER TUSCAN SUN


Castelfalfi is an ancient hilltop hamlet that has been reborn as both an authentic Tuscan village and an arcadian tourist resort


In the late 1960s, the inhabitants of an ancient Tuscan hilltop village, Castelfalfi, began to leave to find work in the nearby cities until eventually there was no one left. Castelfalfi stood empty and derelict, a ghost of a community that had existed there for 800 years – long before the Medici had made it their base. But in 2007, with no particular idea of what use it might be put to, the regional council put Castelfalfi up for sale. The multinational travel company TUI Group, however, had a very clear idea of what it could do with it. Under the expert eye of a visionary young German, Stefan Neuhaus, a near-miraculous rebirth has taken place, breathing life back into the village and its surrounding countryside. “We were determined to revitalise Castelfalfi


in a real Italian way,” says Stefan, now CEO of Resort Toscana Castelfalfi. “Our number-one goal was to retain its Tuscan authenticity.” Not only has TUI Group restored Castelfalfi’s buildings, but its vineyards and olive groves are also thriving again. One of the joys of this project is that many of the inhabitants who had to leave have been able to return, bringing with them their skills and understanding of the land.


RETAINING ITS ITALIANNESS Although the resort’s facilities are of five-star standard, all its buildings unselfconsciously retain their character inside and out. Castelfalfi attracts a discerning clientele, and a number of premium


shops are housed among the artisan boutiques and cafes on the street. Its gourmet restaurant, La Rocca, is served by the young Michelin- starred chef, Michele Rinaldi, and specialises in food with a traditional Tuscan character – using, of course, local ingredients following the “Zero Kilometre” philosophy. Castelfalfi is based around the medieval Borgo,


a village centre with a 12th-century church and ancient castle. There are houses and apartments large and small to rent or buy, at prices upwards of €250,000, and there is help available with design and construction. Most apartments have open-plan living areas, many have gardens or roof terraces, and some have shared swimming pools. In the surrounding area are converted farmhouses, outbuildings and cottages, including the La Collina development of apartments and luxury villas, with spectacular views over the rolling hills.


THE FOCAL IS LOCAL The company, wherever possible, employs local craftsmen, using local materials such as terracotta, timber and marble. Castelfalfi also provides plentiful work for local people on its two golf courses and two hotels – the elegant La Tabaccaia and the jewel in Castelfalfi’s crown, the new five-star Castelfalfi Luxury Resort & Spa. The largest country hotel in Tuscany, it has 120 rooms and eight suites. The resort is placed within an hour of landmark cities such as Florence, Siena and


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Pisa, but there is plenty to do without leaving Castelfalfi. Popular activities include wine and olive oil tasting, as well as classes in art, pottery and cooking. The neighbouring hills and forests offer plenty to explore for those keen on hiking, horse riding, cycling and truffle hunting. Sustainability has always been central to the


Castelfalfi vision. “We use the things we have in a proper and intelligent way,” says Stefan. “We have our own water supply from the rain, which we collect into dams. We also have a biomass plant to produce our own energy for the hotel and the estate. We use all our wood for something – we don’t just cut it down and throw it away. “It is beautiful here in any season,” he


says. “In April you can feel nature waking up. In autumn we collect the grapes for our wine from the vineyards and we pick our olives. Everything has a natural circle here. This is very important for us.” www.castelfalfi.it


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