Savor Spring in Tuscany at Borgo Pignano

Peach and almond blossoms adorn fruit trees and swathes of climbing wisteria and Jasmine decorate pergolas, loggias and rustic buildings. The Tuscan light is exceptionally beautiful at this time, accentuating Cypress tree lined avenues, ancient olive groves and medieval towns.

Spring is the most breathtaking period in which to discover Tuscany when the hills and valleys enter a stage of almost constant change. The region attracts many artists and the unspoiled countryside provides the perfect subject for photographers and painters. From April onwards banks of scarlet poppies appear in abundant sweeps, whilst hedgerows reveal the striking azure blue of the Florentine iris amidst the aromatic wild herbs.

Tender young vegetables also find their way from garden to plate. Sample baby artichokes, pencil thin zucchini and youthful salad leaves, all indulgently adorned with the finest organic olive oil.

In the local towns and villages, tables and chairs return to the piazzas where cafes, bars and restaurants offer cappuccini, aperitivi and seasonal al-fresco lunches. Spring really is the perfect season in which to immerse yourself in the local culture. Visit Tuscany in the Spring and enjoy an authentic taste of Toscana, before the main tourist season commences.

Where to stay in Tuscany

Borgo Pignano is an elegant, award-winning retreat in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, near the historic towns of Volterra and San Gimignano and the medieval cities of Florence and Siena. At the heart of this 750-acre organic estate is a hamlet that dates back to Etruscan times and a magnificent 18th century villa. Today this beautifully restored country estate offers warm and gracious hospitality in a tranquil setting with luminous views that can extend to the Mediterranean, seventy miles away. At Borgo Pignano you can enjoy an authentic Tuscan experience surrounded by an organic farm, biodynamic kitchen gardens, olive groves, horse pastures, orchards, meadows, lakes, waterfalls and ancient forests. The living connection between inside and out can be experienced throughout the Pignano estate. Flowers from the gardens are everywhere in the villa, farmhouses and apartments. Seasonal menus are based on biodynamic vegetables and fruits harvested at their finest. In winter, open fireplaces crackle and blaze with timber harvested from the borgo's woodlands. Borgo Pignano's central building, an 18th century villa, is bordered by traditionally planted English gardens overlooking pristine landscapes of Tuscany, unchanged since Renaissance times. Pignano has exclusive maisonettes and cottages that are an easy walk from the main villa, restaurant, gardens and infinity pool.

Breaking news… In March 2017 Borgo Pignano will be opening a luxury spa and wellness center located just minutes from the main villa in a beautifully restored medieval building.

For more information on Borgo Pignano please go to:

www.borgopignano.com