A hotel for book lovers

For books lovers , in one lounge ,Villa le Barone Tuscany
For books lovers , in one lounge ,Villa le Barone Tuscany

Do you like books? They are perfect traveling companions … but heavy to carry! Lovers of literature, books of art, novels, detective stories, will find at the boutique hotel Villa le Barone enough to satisfy their passion! There are books everywhere, in the rooms, on the tables of the various lounges and in many languages ​​…

At Villa le Barone, we love literature, and we want to share our love with guests! We therefore offer them the opportunity to read a good novel or , in summer in a comfortable deck chair in one of our quiet gardens or by the pool, or in autumn in front of the fireplace while sipping a glass of Chianti! Of course we have novels in many languages, English, German, French … and it is also possible to exchange your book for another: we think books have to be shared!

For books lovers: one of the lounge at Villa le Barone Tuscany
For books lovers: one of the lounge at Villa le Barone Tuscany

Our books on art in Tuscany or our books on Italian gardens will also help you prepare your excursions, and discover the so many facets of Italian arts and artists!

Lovers of literature and books, you will find in Villa le Barone a considerable number of books whose reading will allow you to relax and spend pleasant moments of relaxation!

Photo competition in Tuscany: winners of a week-end in Chianti

Every year Hotel Villa le Barone in the heart of Chianti in Tuscany organizes for its hosts a photo competition. Winner gets a week-end in 2015 … and there are many other prizes. See the results of the 2014 photo competition !

Winners of Villa le Barone’s photo competition 2014

2 nights for a week-end in Chianti at Villa le Barone in 2015

Justin and Christine Fields, USA, for the overall quality and originality of the submission

Relaxing at Villa le Barone by Justin and Catherine Fields
Relaxing at Villa le Barone by Justin and Catherine Fields

1 night in Villa le Barone in 2015

Andrea Huyck, Belgium, for the poetry of the pictures

 A view on Chianti hills  from one of the terrasse in Villa le Barone by Andrea Huyck
A view on Chianti hills from one of the terrasse in Villa le Barone by Andrea Huyck

1 Bottle of Chianti Classico to drink in Villa le Barone in 2015 or 2016

Walk in the Chianti countryside around Villa le Barone by Justin and Catherine  Fields
Walk in the Chianti countryside around Villa le Barone by Justin and Catherine Fields
  • Birgit Scherz, Austria, for her pictures of the flowers at Villa le Barone
  • Adrian Koh, Singapore, in particular for his picture of the entrance of Villa le Barone
  • Alain Perroy, Belgium, in particular for his picture of the cook Fernanda ( “it captures the spirit of Italy” said a member of the jury)
  • Tomas Linhart, Czec Republic, in particular for his picture of guests relaxing at Villa le Barone
  • Robyn Scholz and Geoffrey Tolcher, Australia, in particular for the picture of “the yellow ferries”
  • Martin Jacobs, USA, in particular for the picture of the red bike
  • Mark and Kathy Howell, USA, in particular for the photo of the « bruschetta »
  • Berenice Schreiner, UK, in particular for the picture of the hydrangea at the entrance of Villa le Barone
  • Rick and Jacinta Chancellor, USA, in particular for the picture of “Amira with flowers“
  • Mike Mueller, USA

Members of the Jury were

Abitare la Storia and Contemporary art in Chianti

Villa le Barone, an historic hotel, member of Abitare la Storia

Villa le Barone, a Chianti member of Abitare la Storia,   the association of Italian Historic Hotels, will host an exhibition from the contemporary sculptor Marina Destombe from 29 Settember to 5th October.

Villa le Barone has developed long time cooperation with Marina Destombe, a Dutch sculptor and painter now living in Tuscany.  From the 20th to the 27th September, Marina exhibits some of her sculptures via Roma in Greve in Chianti.  Afterwards, she will display them on the terrace of Villa le Barone , in Panzano in Chianti,  where guests will be able to admire them.
Marina Destombe has studied in the Netherlands at the Academie Minerva, Groningen and three years at The Kunst Academie Ruud Wackers, Amsterdam. She decided afterwards to continue her studies in Italy at the Florence Academy of Art. It is in Tuscany, in Greve in Chianti, that she comes into contact with the renowned Fonderia Del Giudice, where the art and technique of lost wax casting has been handed down for now 3 generations. Marina is also a painter, and she has a particular passion for portraits, as she explains “Portraits create a juncture between my painting and people’s personalities. They unite the two perfectly”.

A sculpture by Marina Destombe, exposed at Villa le Barone

Marina has exposed held many exhibitions of her works, combining paintings and sculptures, in Holland, Switzerland. Marina has now decided to live and work in Italy, where she has a studio. She also offers watercolor and oil painting courses for adults and children (www.marinadestombe.com),  and guests of Villa le Barone can benefit of exchanges with her!

Villa le Barone, a historic hotel member of “Abitare la Storia” showcases contemporary art in Greve in Chianti!