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The Enviroment:
In spring 2004, Alain Ducasse indulged his passion for Italy by setting up a new resort in the heart of the Tuscan Maremma, inspired by the charms of the Mediterranean. Thus came about L’Andana, in the 500-hectare La Badiola Estate, a few miles from Castiglione della Pescaia, the result of a joint effort by the Moretti family and Alain Ducasse in the dual role of chef and hotelier.
An enchanting resort with a gourmand SPA, Tuscan Trattoria, golf driving range and romantic private chapel, L'Andana takes its name from its long driveway, which is flanked by cypresses and maritime pines and enveloped in a magical fairytale atmosphere, within a delightful nature park. At Tenuta La Badiola the scents of the Tuscan countryside blend with the brackish fragrances of the Tyrrhenian, in a sensory experience that caresses the guests’ sensations and emotions.
Being Responsible
ESPA spas are widely recognised as among the best in the world and are designed to offer holistic treatments using pure, natural products that revitalize the body and soul, achieving excellent results. All the products used are made in accordance with a strict code of ethics and environmental protection. They are not tested on animals and all the packaging is made from recycled materials. And the spas themselves are built to generate the least environmental impact thanks to the use of local materials and water collected from the sea or natural springs in the vicinity.
How you will reside
L’Andana is a peaceful place where the silence and refined atmosphere of old country residences can still be experienced. The spacious, sun-lit rooms are the continuation of the landscape, a corner of comfort in which the Maremma enters without knocking. Varying nuances of dust and earth, greys and beiges, ochre-yellow and purple, are offset by crimson white. The softness of leather encounters the coarseness of horse hair cloth or the smoothness of velvet; the solidness of stone meets the flexibility of wood. Where velvety comfort expresses a genuine love for this corner of Tuscany.
The 20 Superior and De-Luxe guestrooms at L'Andana are decorated with an eye to detail and tastefully furnished in such a way as to maintain an atmosphere of family intimacy. All the rooms offer delightful views of the surrounding countryside and the interior is enhanced by a lovely stone fireplace built in fine Tuscan style; all the rooms have an LCD television, safe, WIFI facilities, newspapers, magazines, and CD and DVD players.
How you will eat
L’Andana has its own restaurant called La Villa. The kitchen has the cosy, informal atmosphere of a domestic kitchen and leads to an intimate dining room with a pretty stone fireplace and from there to a superb veranda overlooking the park, the chapel and the crystal-clear water of a romantic swimming pool nestling among cypresses and maritime pines. Breakfast at L’Andana is an experience that none can forget. The cast iron ovens in the kitchen turn out each morning freshly baked doughnuts, orange flower brioches, currant buns and cheese-cake. Other specialities includes slices of Tuscan cinta ham, tasty mozzarella cheeses and vegetables in season. Home-made yogurt, jam and marmalade are a must, as are fresh eggs prepared in a variety of different ways. Just choose your favourite and the chef will cook the dish in front of you so that you can enjoy it in all its energy-giving splendour.
La Villa also serves delicious lunches and dinners, from a menu that varies with the season. The dishes are prepared by the same chefs as those at Trattoria Toscana, headed by master chef Christophe Martin. They all reflect genuine local traditions, where the delicate tastes of food from the sea flank stronger ones from the land: risotto with peas, streaky bacon and pecorino cheese is followed by anglerfish and courgette flower tortello, stewed octopus and Borlotti beans, and ossobuco with potatoes and celery. The desserts are shamelessly scrumptious and combine different consistencies and temperatures, such as melted chocolate and pistachio ice-cream or warm granny Smith’s apple and sorbet tart.
The wellness choice
La Badiola cares about the wellbeing of its guests and L’Andana has set up an exclusive SPA under an agreement with ESPA, a leading British wellness trademark.
Amenities
L’Andana offers guests the use of a delightful outdoor heated swimming pool, situated in a paradise of nature overlooking the ancient town of Castiglione della Pescaia. There is plenty of space for sunbathing or stretching out to read a good book in complete peace and quiet. The pool is surrounded by lovely gardens with benches and loungers dotted here and there, where you can enjoy a chat or stop a while to contemplate the landscape, enveloped by the gentle sounds of the woods.
-Trattoria Toscana organizes cooking courses held by Alain Ducasse’s chefs’ team. -Alternatively, you can indulge in a relaxing ESPA treatment at the spa at L’Andana. -Those who prefer to combine sport and nature can devote their time to a different experience each day, with delightful horse rides in the hills, exciting tennis challenges on the nearby court, enjoyable bike rides or walks to the hermitage church 7 km away. It was built in the 16th century on the site where legend has it that the Madonna appeared to St. William of Malavalle on this return from the Crusades.
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