Hotel & Tourism SMARTreport #45

ELITE TRAVEL TRENDS
WINE TOURISM
Hotel & Tourism
SMARTreport #45
2020 Winter Edition 13
13
NEW LUXURY
VILLAS SET TO
OPEN IN APRIL
The village of Castello Banfi
in Southern Tuscanny
THE CHANGING
WINESCAPE
“Oenotourism” hits a new high in Italy
While wine tasting is an essential element of wine tourism, it’s not limited
to the simple emotions and senses connected to the consumption of the
beverage. Beyond wine and the visiting of vineyards, entire regions are
part of the attraction. And in that sense, Italy’s wine regions continue to
be a major growth zone.
Indeed, it’s all about the overall
“experience”: being immersed (in the
figurative sense) in a region’s wine culture.
A perfect example is that of Castello Banfi
in Southern Tuscany – member of Relais &
Châteaux, where visitors literally stay at a
working winery – experiencing the region’s
culture “just like a local”. Strategically
positioned just over 12 miles from the
town of Brunello, and 44 miles from
Siena or, in the opposite direction, the
marvellous Tuscan seaside, Il Borgo offers
the pleasure of living and discovering
Tuscany at its most authentic. It is possible
to organize a rich selection of customised
activities, such as cycling on the private
roads of the estate, a balloon flight, a visit
to nearby natural thermal spas, or tours
of local cities famous for their history and
shopping.
“The castle is from the 12th Century, and
beside it there was a small village, which
has now become the hotel”, explains
Hospitality Director Juan Miquel. “There
are 14 rooms overlooking the vineyards,
the hills and the olive groves. The property
has private sections that are only open to
people staying on-property, making this
place very exclusive”
Also in Tuscany, Borgo 69 is set to open
in 2020 – with 12 villas – featuring
one, two or three bedrooms, and sized
from 75 sq m to 190 sq m.
“It’s a fantastic area for
oenogastronomic tourism or
sightseeing along the little hilltop
villages. We have been building for
14 months, and we are opening on
April 5, 2020 - just before Duco. We
run as a hotel, with daily breakfast,
maid service and a concierge. There is
a restaurant, a bar-lounge and a shop
selling organic food,” explains owner,
Paolo Kastelec.
The architect-designed villas have a
contemporary country style, using
natural materials such as wood,
marble, travertine, local stone and
linens, in earthy Tuscan colours and
beautiful private terraces and gardens
planted with Mediterranean aromatic
herbs and shrubs making for easy
alfresco living.
All Villa Suites have a luxury bathroom
for every bedroom, open plan living
areas, handmade kitchens and
panoramic views over the Cyprus
tree peppered landscape; with on-site
concierge services, what more could
you require from your Tuscan Villa
Holiday
Paolo Kastelec
Owner, Borgo 69