Looking for the perfect Hideaway in Italy? Vitigliano Tuscan Relais & Spa, my insights!

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Heaven on earth, hideaway Vitigliano, Tuscany !   

 

Looking for the perfect Hideaway to stay in Italy? Vitigliano Tuscan Relais & Spa, my insights !

Hey guys,

I have been many times to beautiful Tuscany, Italy, but this time I was searching for a so called "hideaway". The definition of a hideaway for me is the perfect combination of peace, romantic, privacy and luxury. I started my research on the internet and came across the homepage of Vitigliano.

The romantic former village "Vitigliano" lies on a hill overlooking the breathtaking landscape of Tuscany. It is located in the most privileged region of the Chianti, Tuscany, half way between Florence and Siena.

The history goes back to the 1085. That means the oldest building - still in existence today - is 1,000 years old.

In 2008, Vitigliano, was rediscovered as the last Verrazano gem in Chianti, by Marion Hattemer who awoke it from its slumber and elaborately and extensively renovated the property in a way that does justices to its historic significance.

I read on the homepage the wonderful interview of the owner, Marion Hattemer and I really fall in love with her attitude about her work and her understanding from life. It took her 2 years of negotiations before she could fill out the contract and 4 years of renovation work before it was completed to the state in which you see it today.

The location is stunning and so is the hideaway. Surrounded by 5 hectares including an olive grove and oak forest, the resort distributes many amenities. The cypress-lined driveway leading to the estate is like something you would find in a picture book. 

To me it is no surprise, that Vitigliano is a World Luxury Hotel Awards winner and mentioned in different high class magazines for travel and luxury worldwide. 

Vitigliano is offering 6 suites for the visitors. Which means they can provide you the perfect service experience and you feel really private while being there.

Speaking about the rooms. The rooms are all facing the wonderful nature of Tuscany. The marvel bathrooms and every detail of the suites are well picked and showing the love and the good design taste of the owner. 

We stayed at the wonderful suite called "Torre", which is a 2-room maisonette-suite. I loved the combination of the modern and the historic elements, it feels more then a second home instead of a hotel room.

You can really fell the passion and love in every detail of your stay. The service is unbelievable.
Throwout our stay we more felt like friends instead of guests.

If you are into wellness, make sure to book a wellness treatment in the wonderful wellness area. The wellness of Vitigliano received the "world luxury spa awards" for a good reason. 

We loved to stay at the outdoor pool, you can relax there and just enjoy the wonderful view towards the amazing nature of Tuscany. One of my personal highlights, between all the highlights we experienced there. 

Sitting in the wonderful whirlpool after doing some sports is just only one thing you can do while staying here. 

The food options are high quality and regional food. You can choose breakfast, lunch and / or dinner. The restaurant serves only guests.

The service and the chef are doing such a great job, I loved the dinner - because it is such a romantic setting.

I love wine and this is of course the perfect setting for it. The wine cellar is stocked with a private label wine created especially for Vitigliano by Tommaso Cavalli, a neighbor and son of the fashion designer Roberto Cavalli. You need to try this wine, it is wonderful! 

So if your planning on going to Tuscany, make sure you stop by Vitigliano for some days !

Cheers,

Melaines-Insights

www.melaines-insights.com

South Africa Wine Tour - my insights for you!

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Wine is the answer, what was the question? 

Wine Tour in South Africa, my insights for you! 

Hey guys,

I grew up in a wine loving family, which always traveled around the world for the best wine and food places to explore.
So everybody knows me well, I'm a real wine lover. 
Planning on going to South Africa, it was crystal clear that some days have to be dedicated to wine.
For safety reasons we always had a shuttle driver booked, what I would recommend you to do.

Delaire Graff Estate

An avid collector of modern and contemporary art, a world leader within the diamond industry and an equally devoted philanthropist, Laurence Graff opened the doors to Delaire Graff Estate in 2009. Having transformed the Estate into an extraordinary luxury destination.

Where to start, where to end. It is for me one of the most amazing wine estates I have ever been to, one of the world- leading destination for wine. I saw a lot but this wine estate is for a reason called "the jewel of the cape winelands". Speaking about jewels, beside the fantastic art, architecture, wine, food and exclusive lodges they also offer a jewelery store integrated in this amazing estate, enter at your own risk. 

Stepping into this fantastic wine estate, it takes your breath away. The garden is a botanical paradise in a dramatic mountain setting. I captured the ultimate feeling of escape, it was love at first sight. 

Delaire Graff Estate offers a rare chance for art aficionados to view some of Laurence Graff’s personal art collection in an outstanding setting. Frequently named one of the world’s top art collectors, Laurence Graff’s collection at the Estate is a carefully curated showcase of some of South Africa’s finest contemporary artists.

The estate is offering 10 luxury lodges all overlooking the Stellenbosch Valley. Welcome to a place where luxury, tranquillity and service combine. The lodge we stayed was just fantastic, with great light-filled interior and all decorated in neutral contemporary colors. The lodge also offered a private heated plunge pool. 

If you don't want to use your own private pool, they also have a fantastic 22 metre infinity pool with an integrated jacuzzi. The view is unbelievable.

They also offer a great spa, with all the exclusive service you can wish for as a world traveler. 

When your planning a day trip make sure you place a reservation at the terrace restaurant, as it is very popular to sit outside as you are overlooking a sea of vineyards and olive groves planted on the Simonsberg, the views from the terrace span all the way into the Banhoek Valley. It is just an amazing experience, we spend hours there having great food and great wine and enjoying the fantastic view into the Stellenbosch Valley. 

They have a great food philosophy, it is committed to beautiful and local food - which means they offer you the best regional food for each season. The food and the service is unbelievable good.

Come to a place where luxury and service are of the utmost importance, where every day is tailored to be a world-class experience.

Kleine Salze 

We made a lunch break to this award-winning wine estate.
The setting, under ancient oaks, is both refined and relaxed, with a view over the Kleine Zalze golf course and surrounding gardens and vineyards. The serene atmosphere is ideal for the enjoyment of fine food and excellent wine.

The kleine Zalze is a family run wine farm, that has risen to prominence both in South Africa and internationally thanks in particular to its award-winning Chenin Blanc and Shiraz.

The restaurant is called "Terroir" - food from the earth. I think it is food from another world. It was just an amazing experience we had. 

After lunch we took a walk threw the park, a friend of mine told me that once he visited this estate he saw Pierce Brosnan underneath one of these ancient oaks drinking his glass of wine :-) Good choice I would say. 

They offer also a lodge to stay. De Zalze Lodge is the farm’s very own Cape Dutch style country house overlooking the lush vineyards and breathtaking Stellenbosch mountains. Nestled against the first fairway of the Kleine Zalze Golf Course, this luxurious four-star establishment provides relaxed yet pristine accommodation with an array of leisurely pastimes guarantee.ed to unwind the stresses of modern day living.
Peter Falke Wines

Peter Falke is famous in Germany for his socks. What some don't know is that the Falke family was doing business in South Africa since 1969.
One of his big dreams came true, when he acquired Groenvlei estate in 1995.

I can say they did a great job with this estate. 
It is nestled against the majestic slopes of the Helderberg mountains in the heart of Stellenbosch.

His wife, Danièle is French and an interior designer. She is known to have designed Legrand in Paris, Galerie Vivienne, a world reputed wine bar and meeting place for wine makers and connoisseurs. Her taste and talent is expressed in the smallest details at Groenvlei.

The Cape Dutch buildings of the  wine estate a dating back to the 18th century. They estate has a "boutique" winery, contemporary wine tasting room and a luxurious outdoor lounge.

In this luxurious outdoor lodge we tasted the great elegant Peter Falke Wines.

I integrated all the links in the headlines, so by clicking on them you will be forwarded to the pages. 

Cheers,

Melaines-Insights

www.melaines-insights.com