‘Casa da Signore
con torre a
modo di palagio’
(Gentleman’s House with tower in the fashion of a palace’)
AN ITALIAN WELCOME
Skip back to the 15th century and enjoy a night or more of Italian luxury at Villa Rucellai!
Through the gates and up the winding levels of the hillside this turreted mansion transports guests to the fuzzy realms of a sepia photograph.
That, or the lucid mirage of a creased and dog-eared watercolour study on the back pages of a European Grand Tour folio.
Draped in wisteria the large windows, chimney stack and sand-coloured walls are haloed by a rooftop belfry. Arranged in a rough ‘L’ shape the entrance is shielded from the strong summer sun.
Ferns and plants with curling leaves unfurl wabi sabi up the ancient stone staircase. A set of glass doors leads into the imposing vortex of the entrance hall. Akin to the honey-coloured hue of a beehive’s heart, a rustic gold warms and refreshes. Illuminated leaves of a lemon tree dance in piercing shafts of light as bands of white slide down in diagonals, contrasting the curving vaults of the historic ceiling high above the harpsichord and harp. These first impressions magically transport you to the vision of a bygone age.
Your time travelling expedition into this lair of Renaissance Italy is consummated with a fine Italian welcome. No photocopier or computer in sight, your details and passport number are manually entered by hand into a yellowing, deep bound ledger, seemingly from another world. Revel in the scratchy patience, the calligraphic loops of each letter inviting you deeper into this dream of decadence.
And in the spirit of oldy-world-y time keeping, be sure to note your arrival time as accurately as you can when you make your booking to ensure preparations are finished in your personal part of this palace!
CAMERA DA LETTO
Spacious and cooling rooms are ornately furnished with antique and traditional marquetry furniture. From the grandiose vanity tables enlayed with ormolu detailing to the chaise longue, the bedrooms sparkle with opulence and Italian charm. Magnificent looking-glasses will make you wish you had diamonds and Cinderella slippers for the leading role in a period film or mysterious novelette!
With no televisions to ruin the look and sense of escape from the 24/7 stream, even the wifi is a tad patchy so you can finally finish that chapter in your book or write postcards to tell your friends all about staying in a palacial hotel!
As the velvet of night begins to fall, the gentle sounds of the water jets outside merge with the soft ambient lighting, a stately setting for sweet slumber!
EXPLORE THE ROOMS & GROUNDS
The open space of the entrance hall contrasts with the decadence of Villa Rucellai’s lounge. From the chandeliers above to the carpets below, there is a feast for the eyes!
Gasp in wonder at treasures from days gone by. Framed engravings and watercolours all add a personal, human element to the opulent finery. Intaglio prints and limited edition portraits all tell stories of Italian life and culture.
Help yourself to a drink from the mini-fridge honesty bar!
Sip as you slip outside to sit on the historic balcony and admire the views framed by the ancient stone archways. Feel like a duke or duchess from long ago as you survey the rolling hills stretching into the distance. Under blue skies this reverie into a bygone age is broken only by the rattle of a passing train in the distance beyond the proud, sentinel Cyprus trees.
Take a stroll through the gardens, admiring the Del Tovaglia coat of arms still displayed above the door on the southern facade. Elegant statues intersperse the blossoming roses and lemon trees, all thoughtfully arranged. Gateways and viewing platforms lend an essence of majesty and hint towards secrets of romantic rondez-vous as though fleeting memories.
SILENCIO
An elusive sense of soft, still silence eminates from Villa Rucellai. A sense of silence which rests in the creases of the curtain drapes and shifts with the shadows, sweeping across one framed mezzotint to the next.
A sense of silence which hides in the backs of chairs and the arches of a stringless harp. A silence which follows the curves of the picturesque archways on the balcony before vanishing into the manicured landscape below.
PENDOUR PRO-TIP
Take the bus into Firenze for a further history boost! Staying a little further away from the city saves navigating so much traffic, and you can still enjoy the peace and quiet of the Italian countryside – the best of both worlds! Plus, you get to enjoy the view of the city, rather than just the views from within the city!
Flixbuses depart from Prato Piazzale Del Museo frequently throughout the day, it’s only a 15 minute ride into Florence! If you don’t have a car rental for this Park & Ride, take a taxi into Prato, or enjoy the hour and a half walk from the villa to the bus stop!
SWIM & RELAX
Dive in to Villa Rucellai’s inviting pool to cool off!
This is one of the best pools I’ve enjoyed in a historic hotel! Once a fish hatchery, the water is wonderfully deep. All signs of fish have long ago vanished, so you can get your lengths – tumble turns included! – without interruption in these sparkling turquoise waters!
Emerge from the water refreshed and ready to catch some sun in the nearby deckchairs. Matching tasselled umbrellas enhance the aesthetic and ensure the poolside offers a serene experience!
RESTAURANT
There is a delightful looking converted out-building opposite the pool, Villa Rucellai’s restaurant. This perhaps gives an almost ‘village life’ appeal to the grounds but unfortunately was closed on the day of my stay due to a National Holiday.
*Do check before making your booking!*
As an alternative, the staff offered the chance of a freshly prepared picnic dinner to take out at sunset and enjoy the gardens or little seating areas dotted about the gardens and olive grove of Villa Rucellai. However, they did not seem to know quite what the picnic consisted of, so I ended up going to the outskirts of Prato in search of a locals’ friendly little restaurant!
PENDOUR PRO-TIP
Don’t miss an opportunity to crash land back into the twenty-first-century by visiting the Centre for Contemporary Art in Prato! Designed by Italo Gamberini, this futuristic exhibition space has a wonderful permanent collection with over 1000 works of art dating from the 1960s to the present day (don’t miss the Julian Schnabel); an archive; library; bookshop and restaurant with regular temporary exhibitions of paintings, sculpture, film and installation.
If you don’t have a car rental you can simply order a taxi from reception for a few euros and enjoy a trip down to this vibrant and dynamic art hub!
I did of course sample the breakfast buffet which was rather more hearty than the usual Italian affair! Served in the airy morning room with a delightfully rustic feel, you may take your meal out to the Villa Balcony if (unlike me!) you get up early enough and take in the crisp blue skies.
Villa Rucellai also harvests and presses its own wonderful olive oil. Be sure to sample at breakfast time, poured over fresh breads, eggs and salad! If they have not run out and you have space in your luggage, you can even purchase a bottle to take home with you. . . . A little taste of the Villa’s sumptuous appeal!
A PALAtIAL P.S.
Admittedly, this incredible place to stay may need a little attention here and there – understandably a never ending task – but this in no way affects the queen-like quality of your stay!! The overall feel and spirit of the property is evidently well cared for by the Pique family, so as to ensure an exceptional and memorable stay of palatial proportions!
PENDOUR PICKS
‘‘ ATCG ‘ – Artistry, Time, Colour and Gold
‘ S E A S O N S ‘ Exhibition at Maple Street Construct, Omaha, USA
PENDOUR CULTURE
‘Into the Labyrinth’ : Steve Joy, solo exhibition ‘American Sublime’
Garden of the Zodiac Gallery, Omaha, USA
PENDOUR CULTURE
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