Castel Monastero

Castel Monastero has enjoyed a long and storied history, from its origins as an 11th-century monastery to a stint as an aristocratic home – neither guise is particularly surprising today, given both its sense of peace and serenity and atmosphere of rarefied elegance. Pristine Tuscan countryside surrounds the estate, comprising forests, meadows, and of course vineyards; you’ll enjoy tasting some of Italy’s finest wines a stone’s throw from the hotel. It’s not just about the wine here, though, as in charge of proceedings at the Castel’s two restaurants, Contrada and La Cantina, is no less than Gordon Ramsay himself. Fittingly, he imbues the gourmet Italian cuisine with all the quality and panache one would expect from someone whose restaurants have garnered 16 Michelin stars. Though also not to be missed is the superb spa, offering acupuncture, Berber massage, and countless other restorative therapies.