Castello di Casole, A Belmond Hotel, Tuscany, has opened two new private villas for the 2024 season.

Inspired by the property’s rich Etruscan heritage, Villa Thesan and Villa Usil reflect the codes of the Tuscan tradition interpreted by interior designer Alessandro Moriconi. Just five-minutes’ walk from the hotel, located on a 10th century 1300-hectare estate, the two new villas boast outstanding views of the Tuscan countryside, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.

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The Castello di Casole estate is home to a collection of Etruscan masterpieces unearthed on its grounds in the 1870s, thanks to a series of excavations. Today, these pieces can be discovered inside the Essere Spa and the library, as well as at the nearby Casole d’Elsa archaeological museum. In a commitment to perpetuating the cultural heritage of the fascinating Etruscan community and given the southeastern exposure of the two properties, the villas bear the name Thesan, meaning “dawn” and Usil, “sun” in the Etruscan language.

The spacious 250 sqm villas can accommodate up to seven guests, each boasting a large private garden and terrace with panoramic vistas, as well as an outdoor kitchen with a wood fire oven. Inside, the villas comprise three double bedrooms, a comfortable living area and a sunlit dining room seamlessly connected to the well-appointed kitchen. Guests will also have access to an infinity pool shared with four other luxury villas.

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Art director Alessandro Moriconi is the mastermind of the interior design of the villas, which combine Tuscan tradition with a modern approach, in line with Belmond’s vision. Thanks to careful research of reclaimed materials and objects of Tuscan craftsmanship and antiques in the area, Moriconi gives the new villas an authentic and rustic charm, conveying the feeling of a home from home. Terracotta floor tiles, carved sculptures, exposed bricks, rustic wooden beams, and wrought-iron balustrades work harmoniously with lamps and furniture expertly crafted from Tuscan stone, to create a strong sense of place.

Every single element was meticulously constructed and installed by skilled artisans and local suppliers and brought to life using time-honoured techniques such as trowelling and stucco work. Each area is distinguished by its unique palette of bucolic hues and colours, drawing inspiration from the surrounding nature. From the sandy tones gracing Villa Thesan to the verdant greens of the more rural Villa Usil, these palettes are further enhanced by the carefully chosen furnishings and fabrics with floral motifs, stripes, earthy textures. These were conceived to recreate the essence of twentieth-century fabric, such as the iconic “bluette fiammato” fabric created in collaboration with esteemed textile company Dedar, alongside the opulent fabrics of Loro Piana Interiors.

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Guests of these villas will also benefit from exclusive, private experiences, within the sanctuary of their own villa. In harmony with the villa namesakes, guests can partake in astronomical sun-gazing led by an expert astrotourist guide, unveiling the mysteries of solar eruptions and coronal emissions using a specialised solar telescope. To step back in time and live the life of an Etruscan, guests may indulge in relaxing Etruscan and Tuscan spa treatments in the Villa or partake in bespoke cosmetology workshops – delving into the depths of ancient cosmetic lore and sharing age-old beauty recipes cherished by Etruscan women, who were great aficionados of self-care and well-being.

A stay in the Villas immerses guests in the warmth of Tuscan hospitality. Guests will be welcomed with a local aperitif with cocktails prepared by Castello di Casole’s Barman. Further enhancing the stay is a thoughtfully curated grocery service offering an array of locally sourced meats and freshly harvested vegetables, plucked from the verdant Orti del Castello, as well as a pizza kit so guests can try their hand at creating delectable wood-fired pizzas in the outdoor oven.

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Those seeking a special culinary moment can call on the talents of a private Chef for special dinners and cooking classes. To get back to nature, guided meditative walks amidst the expansive 1300-hectare woods and private yoga sessions are available on request, as well as all other hotel services and activities.