Under the Tuscan Sun
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF SUMMER AT COMO CASTELLO DEL NERO
Here, we list our favourite ways to enjoy summer in Tuscany, making the most of Italy’s culture, nature and famous summer produce.
Stay at Villa San Luigi
A short drive away from the COMO Castello del Nero’s main buildings is Villa San Luigi, a five-bedroom private residence, with access to all COMO Castello del Nero’s experiences, dining and wellness. The villa has a fully equipped kitchen, infinity pool and sweeping views. It also has its own wellness space including a fitness room, sauna, yoga studio and steam bath. It’s a light-drenched, secluded escape for friends and family — somewhere to relax completely.
Explore Medieval hill towns
Tuscany’s Medieval hill towns are among its most magnificent treasures. During the Middle Ages when Italy was fragmented into rival city-states, these towns were built on hilltops for strategic visibility and added protection from invasion. There are several towns within an hour’s drive from COMO Castello del Nero, each with its own appeal: San Gimignano is worth seeing for its stone towers; Volterra has Etruscan and Roman roots; the lesser-visited Certaldo Alto was the birthplace of Renaissance humanist writer and poet, Giovanni Boccaccio.
Enjoy a wine tasting
COMO Castello del Nero has its own cellar, stocked with an extensive collection of the region’s best wines. On a summer afternoon, the cellar offers respite from the heat — along with a range of exciting wine tastings led by an expert sommelier, and served with a range of Tuscan cold cuts and pecorino sheep cheese. You can choose between Chianti Classico wines, Brunello di Montalcino wines, or Super Tuscan red blends made using a wider range of grapes.
Watch the Palio
Each year, the biannual Palio takes place in Siena — a 40-minute drive from COMO Castello del Nero. This year, the races fall on July 2nd and August 16th. It’s an extraordinary window into Tuscan culture: the world’s oldest horse race, ridden bareback by jockeys around a makeshift course set up in Siena’s Piazza del Campo. The race is fast, tense and filled with spicy rivalries between the Sienese districts — each of which competes under its own horse and rider.
Stretch out with a yoga session
On June 21st, COMO Castello del Nero will celebrate International Yoga Day with a full-day wellness journey at COMO Shambhala Retreat. The day will begin with energising sun salutations, with a break for fresh juices and healthy snacks before the next class: mindfulness yoga. Afterwards, you can head to the thermal suites for hot and cold therapies, before a nourishing three-course lunch on the terrace. Two more yoga practices follow: afternoon restorative yoga and a gentle evening practice to promote restful sleep.
Take in Florence’s art scene
While the streets of Florence can be uncomfortably hot during the summer months, some of its best art is held in air-conditioned galleries. The Accademia Gallery is a highlight, filled with enough art to while away an entire afternoon. Must-sees include Michelangelo’s sixteenth-century David, Jacopo di Cione’s fourteenth-century Coronation of the Virgin, and the Museum of Musical Instruments, which houses rare Stradivarius violins.
Dine in an olive grove
After a long day exploring Tuscany, one of the best ways to wind down is with supper in COMO Castello del Nero’s olive grove, accompanied by live music. A barbecue dinner features locally sourced ingredients served in the Italian tradition — family-style. Expect shared tables set up beneath the stars, warm candlelight and the scent of rosemary in the air.
For more information, or to book a stay at COMO Castello del Nero, please contact our concierge team.
