One of the most talked-about hotels in Tuscany is causing another stir by opening a gorgeous new spa this month. After five years of restoration work, the Castello di Casole debuted last summer as a boutique luxury hotel in a 10th century castle on a vast 4,200-acre estate. Housed in the estate's wine cellar, the Essere Spa takes its name from the verb “to be” in Italian. Architectural features like original stone walls, barrel-vaulted ceilings and tiled floors were preserved in creating a serene space with seven treatment rooms and separate men's and women's lounges.
The treatment menu was inspired by local ingredients-- like olive oil, rosemary, orange, lavender and grape-seed oil-- and you can gaze at the landscape that produced this Tuscan bounty through the windows. The perfect way to cap off a day exploring Tuscany's vineyards and villages. For more information, including the detailed spa menu, visit www.castellodicasole.com.