-(L)-LUXURY HOTEL
-LUXURY FIRST CLASS HISTORIC CASTLE.
-AS YOU DRIVE UP A WINDING GRAVEL TRACK HIGH IN THE
CHIANTI HILLS TOWARDS THE HUGE CAGGY TOWER OF THE
CASTELLO DI TORNANO YOU MAY EXPERIENCE A TINY
SHUDDER OF FOREBODING. AS YOU STEP INSIDE THE
CASTELLO ITSELF, TO BE WARMLY WELCOMED BY THE
GENTLE HOUSEKEEPER, ALL FOREBODING IS IMMEDIATELY
DISPELLED. THE MEDIEVAL STRONGHOLD FORTIFIED
1400 BY THE TUSCAN ARISTOCRATIC DYNASTY OF RICASOLI
HAS RECENTLY BEEN RESTORED BY THE PRESENT INCUM-
BENTS. LA FAMILGIA SELVOLINI UNDER THE VALUABLE
DIRECTION OF DOTT. FRANCESCO GIOFFREDA. NOWADAYS,
ALL IS OPULENCE, WARMTH AND ELEGANCE. THE FORE-
BIDDING TOWER, ONCE THE SPARTAN QUARTER OF SOLDIERS
NOW HOUSES SUMPTUOUS SUITES AND THE ROOFTOP LOOKOUT
IS NOW A TERRACE WITH OPEN AIR JACUZZI. BARONE
RICASOLI, ITALY*S SECOND PREMIER, INVENTERD THE
CHIANTI CLASSICO BLEND IN THE 19TH CENTURY. THE
PRESENT PROPRIETORS NOW PRODUCE THEIR OWN LABEL,
WHICH IS SERVED WITH A SET DINNER PREPARED BY
USING ESTATE PRODUCED INGREDIENTS. IF YOU ARE
ENERGETIC THERE IS TENNIS, TREKKING, RIDING,
CYCLING AND SWIMMING IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY.
BUT YOU WILL NEED A CAR IF YOU WANT TO EXPLORE
THE SURROUNDING COUNTRYSIDE OR VISIT NEARLY
FLORENCE OR SIENA.
