Castello d'Altea

This impressive 500-year-old castle is ideally situated in the Tuscan countryside not far from Lucca, Pisa and Florence — 40 minutes from the international airports of Florence and Pisa and just 20 minutes from Montecatini Terme. With six bedrooms, a billiard room and grand antique furnishings, it is a magical retreat that inspires children and adults alike to imagine Renaissance life.

One of twelve hunting residences that belonged to Grand Duke Ferdinando I de' Medici, the castle has been fully updated to 21st-century comfort while retaining its original ambience — including the Renaissance chapel, a hunting room and an armour-lined corridor. White-washed walls and tiled floors contrast with ancient wooden beams, combining modern and traditional elements.

A grand living room, six beautifully furnished bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen and an impressive dining room with a stone fireplace complete the interiors, appointed with Venetian glass chandeliers and Persian carpets. The large pool sits in a walled garden surrounded by cypress trees, with gardens and an outdoor dining area — and, in the heart of Chianti, endless opportunity for hiking, cycling and wine tasting.