Experience old-world elegance at Merli. Built during the first decade of the 16th century, this spectacular castle was the residence of Leopold II, the Grand Duke of Tuscany. The property has recently been luxuriously refurbished and equipped with all the modern amenities to assure the highest standards of comfort. It is richly decorated with frescoes, rare tapestries, and fine master paintings and objects d'art.

On the ground floor, you'll enter through a beautiful entrance hall, furnished with oil paintings and an 18th-century wooden table. From here, three lavishly decorated sitting rooms are accessible: a reading room with an antique wooden desk, a bookcase, and internet access; a bar room with fireplace; and a TV room richly furnished with an antique chest, two comfortable sofas upholstered with damask fabric, fireplace, satellite TV, and CD/DVD/VCR. Meals are served in the luminous dining room tiled with original ceramics and decorated with frescoes. Merli offers its guests an indoor and outdoor dining room and a bar-lounge. The suites are individually decorated; each room is unique in color, view and furnishings, while all combine elegance and modern comforts such as air conditioning, mini-bar, safe, telephone, satellite TV, and Internet access.

Merli's swimming pool overlooks a terraced olive grove and is shaded by old pine trees. Amenities around the pool include Jacuzzi, gym equipment and changing room. The property offers its guest the best and freshest Tuscan cuisine; the property operates its own olive grove and organic farm, which produce the olive oil and produce used in your meals prepared at the property. To complement the notable cuisine, there is a state-of-the-art cellar of fine Italian wines.

On request, many different services can be arranged such as cooking demonstrations/lessons; painting lessons; massages; private chauffeur driven car hire; guided tours to local medieval villages such as Bolgheri, Castagneto Carducci, Populonia, and to the nearby artistic cities of Lucca, Pisa, Siena and Florence; visits to the wineries and olive oil mills of the area's most famous producers; and excursions to discover the beautiful coastline of the Tuscan Archipelago on a private boat. Tennis and horseback riding are nearby; the Il Pelegone golf club is 15 minutes away. Guests are pampered by an excellent chef, which includes a concierge, two chambermaids, and a chef. This historic manor is ideal to celebrate special events and weddings.

What to do in the Maremma region of Tuscany
This extraordinarily lovely stretch of Italy sits between Rome and Pisa, offering expansive, breathtaking views of the islands of Giglio and Elba. Highlights of the area include the unspoiled fishing village of Castiglione della Pescaia, endless stretches of incomparable beaches, and the medieval village of Massa Marittima. This enchanting cobble-stoned village has become greatly popular and is home to many international artists and socialities. Also worth a visit is the magical and mysterious city of Volterra, with its roots in three thousand years of history. Today the city preserves above all its medieval qualities, not only in its 12th-century city walls, but also in its urban layout with narrow streets, palaces, tower houses and churches. Strongly recommended are visits to the surrounding towns of Populonia and Baratti, Suvereto, Campiglia Marittima, Castagneto Carducci and Bolgheri.

Numerous day trip possibilities include the chic harbor of Puntala and the major art cities of Siena, Pisa and Florence. Boat rentals for cruising around the coast are available, and private tours of the region's many acclaimed wineries can be arranged.

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Restaurants While in Massa Marittima, stop for an exquisite meal at Osteria del Vecchio Borgo.