In March our team (with families... a big group) went to visit the Villa Ardene (no longer available) – a beautiful estate situated just down the road (1 km) from the hilltop town Montepulciano, aka the “Pearl of the 16th century”, in the south of Tuscany.
The owners Daniela and Benedetta (mother and daughter) showed us around and we were amazed by all the fine details and the superior quality of the restoration.
The furniture all in solid walnut and chestnut wood, skilfully restored in its original style.
Each bathroom a real example of luxury and elegance: natural stones and mosaics, the Bisazza’s mosaics and gems, handmade Greek frets painted by prestigious craftsmen. The chandeliers are unique pieces made in Murano, near Venice.
The owners Daniela and Benedetta (mother and daughter) showed us around and we were amazed by all the fine details and the superior quality of the restoration.
The furniture all in solid walnut and chestnut wood, skilfully restored in its original style.
Each bathroom a real example of luxury and elegance: natural stones and mosaics, the Bisazza’s mosaics and gems, handmade Greek frets painted by prestigious craftsmen. The chandeliers are unique pieces made in Murano, near Venice.
In this picture you can also see one room that has a window on Montepulciano, so amazing, I think I would just sit there all day long and gaze.....
Also the grounds are so well kept - the owners statement is true: at Villa Ardene there is no garden because Villa Ardene IS a garden.......
After visiting the grounds Daniela cooked us the most fabulous lunch ever, she normally uses only her own farm produce : Tuscan starters, home made Pici (a thick type of spaghetti, typical for this area of Tuscany), roast meat, vegetables, fried potatoes, profiteroles and a beautiful red wine – and to top it off Giovanni brought out the honey-grappa (he's from Sardinia so he knows about grappas...)
Also the grounds are so well kept - the owners statement is true: at Villa Ardene there is no garden because Villa Ardene IS a garden.......
After visiting the grounds Daniela cooked us the most fabulous lunch ever, she normally uses only her own farm produce : Tuscan starters, home made Pici (a thick type of spaghetti, typical for this area of Tuscany), roast meat, vegetables, fried potatoes, profiteroles and a beautiful red wine – and to top it off Giovanni brought out the honey-grappa (he's from Sardinia so he knows about grappas...)
Here you see the Pici before and after ...
Giovanni is also the one that made the day for our kids: he actually taught them to milk the goats...... What a great time (the goats were not so happy I'm afraid.....)
Giovanni is also the one that made the day for our kids: he actually taught them to milk the goats...... What a great time (the goats were not so happy I'm afraid.....)
So if you are looking for the real Tuscan experience in a superb rental, at walking distance from a gorgeous Tuscan hill top town, with fabulous owners that can cook the best meal ever for you and your group, don't look any further because Villa Ardene is it.
