novanta

• Sleeps: Varies
• Bedrooms: Varies
• Bathrooms: Varies
• Minimum stay: 2 nights

Waiting for you at novanta is an experience of Tuscan village life as it’s so peacefully lived every day by the locals, immersed in nature and nestled high in the Casentino Hills. Think outstanding views, exceptionally friendly people and endless opportunities to learn new skills…this is a true creator’s paradise where you can leave the demands of technology far behind.

novanta (Italian for “ninety”) found its life when four Dutch entrepreneurs discovered an abandoned village – Borgo di Gello – in the summer of 2014. Captivated by its charm, their goal was to open an experience-based pop-up hotel there for 90 days.  An overwhelming and immediate success, the hotel lasted a whole lot longer, and is now a permanent fixture in the local community.

The accommodation at novanta is diverse and wonderfully imaginative, suited to families, friends and couples alike.
The romantic Treehouse is created from a 200 year-old oak tree that provides exceptional scenes of the valley and the ancient village ruins below. Enjoy the outdoor shower with a view, as you seclude yourselves from the world in supreme comfort.

Meanwhile, up to four people can experience the sensation of floating amongst the stars with a stay in a Tentsile tent, complete with removable top and suspended within the branches of three huge village trees.

Castello di Gello is a wonderful sleepy borgo set in the hills just below the novanta hotel. More than 1000 years old already, the houses are steeped in history and boast hints to its vibrant past everywhere you look. Two fully refurbished, beautiful villas come with their own private gardens and glorious views of the mountains above and the valley below. Completely surrounded by nature, but just a short walk from the excitements of the hotel, each villa is equipped with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen and living room and is ideally suited for parties of six.

Of course, good food is always the prime focus in Italy, and novanta offers an all-inclusive, mouthwatering food plan that caters for breakfast, lunch and a traditional four-course dinner served every day. With an honesty bar also available for which your bill can be settled on check-out – that’s your food, drink and accommodation completely taken care of! Now it’s time to immerse yourselves completely in the Tuscan way of life.

The mission at novanta is to introduce you to the authentic local community, its lifestyle and its people. For starters, Borgo di Gello is surrounded by lush forests, sparkling streams and rolling hills, part of an official nature reserve it would be a shame not to get lost in at least once.  Why not take a guided walk up the mountain through the forest and drink in the beauty of Santuario Francescano, one of the most admired monasteries in the area?

At a glance

• Immerse yourselves in the real Tuscany, with a community-infused experience hotel set in the formerly abandoned village of Borgo di Gello, nestled in the natureful Casentino Hills.
• Fly to Florence, 1.5 hours from the hotel by car. The hotel offers an original Landrover Defender mountain shuttle service.
• The hotel provides an honesty bar, and an all-inclusive food plan that caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner on each day of your stay. Choose your accommodation from the romantic Treehouse for two, or a selection of family studios, suites, cottages and villas.
• Hostel-style accommodation for those travelling on a budget is also provided.
• Activities at novanta are designed to introduce you to the local community and its people. Wine tasting, traditional Italian lunches, pasta making, foraging expeditions and Italian lessons can all be arranged with the local villagers.

Features

• Dog Friendly
• Family Friendly
• Hot Tubs
• Large Groups
• Off-Grid

More information

You’ll have plenty of opportunity to meet the locals and learn new skills, from wine tasting at the local organic vineyard with owner Marco, to an invigorating mountain walk to the home of the local butcher Fabrizio and his wife Meri…where a traditional al-fresco Italian lunch will be served to you by the family (Meri’s tiramisu is not to be missed!)

Meanwhile, learn how to make pasta the true Italian way, go on a foraging expedition, take an indulgent picnic at the river or perhaps try your hand at learning Italian. Enjoy wine tasting, mountain biking, escape room, archery, and of course the view of the valley from the hot tub! The opportunities to learn, explore and be enthralled really are endless here – and with Florence just 1.5 hours away by car, you can also enjoy a day out in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

There aren’t many holidays you can take that introduce you to a new and completely authentic way of life, in such a wonderfully warm, relaxed and captivating way. So why not come and see for yourselves what has made novanta such a resounding success? With so much unique Tuscan community spirit, so many opportunities to learn, and so many new friends waiting to be made here, we guarantee one visit won’t be enough!

Things to note

Pets are welcomed, children are also permitted. Weddings are possible in a private Tuscan village – the site has a church. New Year’s Eve celebrations are also arranged, enquire for details. Food plans with local ingredients are available to pre-book, full board from €350 per week. Minimum stay 2 nights low season – high season is always 7 nights (Sat-Sat).