If you're looking for a luxurious, exclusive, hidden retreat - stop looking - we’ve found it, says Isabelle Husillos. Castello di Casole, in Tuscany is snuggled between undulating hills and tree-lined mountains.

Twenty minutes west of Sienna, 45 minutes West of Florence and two and half hours North of Rome, the Castello is a new five star resort and luxury residence club featuring fractional and whole ownership opportunities in restored casali farmhouses.

Each residence maintains an authentic Italian feel with Tuscan décor, amenities, private infinity-edged pool and guesthouses. A Boutique hotel is scheduled to open early spring 2008, including a world-class spa and restaurant on the 4,200-acre historic estate. Timbers of Colorado are responsible for this re-development of the historic site. Famously renowned for their luxury residence clubs in the US, they chose to expand into Europe and chose the wonderful hills of Tuscany for their first European project.

Attention is paid to every detail ensuring respect for local history and craft. Modernism blends with the historical walls of each of the ‘casali’, with villas priced from 4.2 million Euros for whole ownership, with fractional ownership available from 345,000 Euros - divided into 1/10 interest.

More than a co-ownership, the Castello offers a unique venture. For the owners, it is an opportunity to enjoy their exclusive retreat when they choose to, to rent it out or to exchange their weeks against a stay in one of the other villas of the Timbers programmes.

To accommodate the owners, a schedule is sent out in September to organise occupation time during the following year. However, it must be kept in mind that the programme is not rigid and any owner can access their property as often as they want after they all have spent 4 weeks per ownership fraction. 

The management team will look after everyone’s requests for stays, rentals or exchanges. Not only does the Timber management of the Castello assist in the organisation of their clients’ stay but they also will ensure that simply the best services are provided for a relaxing time.

One may want to choose from the many activities available to discover the local Tuscan treasures such as wine and olive oil tasting tours, biking, animal tracking, cooking classes or simply do nothing and admire the magnificent landscapes.

But if you want to explore the subtle taste of local Tuscan cuisine and the warm welcome of a Tuscan family, ensure you take the time to do a detour at the nearby “Il Colombaio” Michelin restaurant. We did, and we’ll be back!

For More Information: www.castellodicasole.com

Updated: 25 October 2007