Some holidays are about escape. At Le Pianore we felt more like we were being invited into a whole way of life. Its a life where food, family, slowing down and switching off are at the heart of everything. We were there for an extended family gathering (15 of us) so it was perfect to have so much space for everyone to do their own thing, then come together for great al fresco feasts and fun in the swimming pool. We picked fresh vegetables from the farm and learnt how to cook proper pizzas in the wood fired pizza oven. Elena, Erica and Francesco could not have been more welcoming, helpful or infectiously passionate about their home and the surrounding areas.

Some holidays are about escape. At Le Pianore we felt more like we were being invited into a whole way of life. It's a life where food, family, slowing down and switching off are at the heart of everything. We were there for an extended family gathering (15 of us) so it was perfect to have so much space for everyone to do their own thing, then come together for great al fresco feasts and fun in the swimming pool. We picked fresh vegetables from the farm and learnt how to cook proper pizzas in the wood fired pizza oven. Elena, Erica and Francesco could not have been more welcoming, helpful or infectiously passionate about their home and the surrounding areas.

I have been going to Le Pianore for 16 years, first with my family as they grew up and now on Ladan's annual yoga retreat which is firmly in the diary every summer solstice! Elena and her wonderful husband, son and daughter run the farm in way that makes everything feel natural and effortless (as well as beautiful and delicious). It is utterly peaceful and 'balm for the soul' as my friend always says when we go. The position of the house is fabulous with valley views all around; the rooms are rustic and charming; the food is incredible. And of course Elena and her brother make all the wine, plus the olive oil, honey, mulberries (right outside the house), herbs, tisanes etc etc. Too, too wonderful not to go every year! Thank you Elena!

I have been going to Le Pianore for 16 years, first with my family as they grew up and now on Ladans annual yoga retreat which is firmly in the diary every summer solstice! Elena and her wonderful husband, son and daughter run the farm in way that makes everything feel natural and effortless (as well as beautiful and delicious). It is utterly peaceful and balm for the soul as my friend always says when we go. The position of the house is fabulous with valley views all around; the rooms are rustic and charming; the food is incredible. And of course Elena and her brother make all the wine, plus the olive oil, honey, mulberries (right outside the house), herbs, tisanes etc etc. Too, too wonderful not to go every year! Thank you Elena!

I met Elena the owner of Le Pianore in London and right from the start I was struck by her warm and rich personality. I have eagerly organised my first yoga group for a yoga retreat at Le Pianore three years ago and since then I have not missed a year. As soon as you step in on Le Pianore grounds you experience a deep feeling of calm and tranquillity. The views are absolutely stunning and the villas with the grounds have everything you need for a relaxing holiday. The large yoga studio is a beautiful open space equipped with everything you need for a yoga retreat of dance or meditation holiday etc. You can choose to stay during the day at the villa or go for a trip, in any case Elena and her family will give you lots of advice on what to see and do around the area. Elena has been extremely helpful to assist me with running the retreat smoothly and she personally connects with each guest making sure they are happy to such extend that they will even cook your favourite dish. Besides the amazing guests I arrived with my husband and 18 months toddler who also came with us last year when he was 5 months. They always has been amazingly helpful with providing everything our son needs (cot, high seat, special meals) and beyond that. My husband who is a very fussy eater has been getting special meals too and I have not even asked for it. That is the attention to detail you will have at Le Pianore. Food and wine is delicious and the majority grown in the family's farm down the hill. We had a generous tour of Elena 's house and farm this year and it is inspiring and humbling to see the love and dedication gone into everything around it: amazing garden, vineyard, olive grove and of course her two donkeys and two horses. All the produce is organically grown and the whole estate 90% electricity self sufficient. The highlights of the holiday this year must be: Enrika's deserts especially panna cotta, the birds singing in the night, the deer who came close to the house one evening, the two elusive white horses, the two ducks on the blue lagoon like lake and of course the two lovely donkeys whose touch of ears is like meditations. Please ask for info on the Alpaca farm. We had an absolutely amazing time there. Despite the growing family I plan to make it possible and return to Le Pianore next year and look forward to see Elena, Enrika, Rina and all the team.

Le Pianore is a really magical place located in one of the most beautiful places you can imagine, set in the middle of the hills of Tuscany, the ideal place for a retreat and to recharge your batteries from the hustle and bustle of modern life. This is the second year that I have been there. I loved it the first year nd enjoyed it even more the second year. The owner, Elena Basile, has to be one of the most remarkable women I have ever met – she had a dream to create this wonderful place in Tuscany and continues to further develop it to make it one of the very best places that I have ever been to. That is due to her passion for Le Pianore and her vision to continually make it the perfect place for a holiday and a yoga retreat, which was my reason for going there. From the minute you arrive, you feel that everything is tailored to ensure that you have a wonderful stay – the registration document right at the start asks you ’what food would you really like to eat?’ The rooms are all unique – warm and comfortable with individual charm and everything you need to help you relax – and if you need it, there is also wifi! You are woken up in the morning with birdsong and breath-taking views. The food is amazing – most of it from ingredients grown in Elena’s organic kitchen garden which she manages with her son and expertly cooked by her daughter Enrica, who is a brilliant cook and the queen of desserts. My two trips to Le Pianore were for a yoga retreat – you cannot imagine a more beautiful place with a spacious and well equipped yoga studio. I arrived exhausted from the hustle and bustle of life in London but with 1 ½ hours of Yoga in the morning followed by a delicious brunch and then again 1 ½ hours of yoga again in the evening followed by dinner, I left feeling completely rejuvenated and revitalised. Le Pianore is not only ideal for yoga – it is also a perfect location to visit Tuscany and Elena and Enrica gave us lots of tips of where to go within either 30 minutes or an hour’s drive. On days when we did not want to venture out, there is plenty to do just relaxing by the pool or taking a walk up to the next village. If you are looking to recharge your batteries in a beautiful location, Le Pianore is the place to go – either join a yoga group or just rent out the place with a bunch of friends – you will come back all the better for having visited Le Pianore and spent a week in the company of Elena and her family.

Le Pianore is a truly magic place! You will find yourself in the most amazing nature and welcomed by Elena with warmth and generosity. My time there was really special, the landscape around the villa invites you to relaxing and refreshing walks, the accomodation is beautiful in every detail, food and wine are just superb. Elena and her family are impeccable hosts and wonderful people, I can't reccomend enough a stay in this corner of paradise. Ideal for a romantic holiday as well as for a group of friends.

I have been vacationing and working in Italy for two decades and only recently found Le Pianore. It was enough to be stunned by the beauty of the region, and then of this small part of the region, but once I arrived, I began to experience the services and amenities this agriturismo provides and I was overwhelmed. Elena and her staff seemed to know what me and my partner needed before we did. We were greeted warmly and swiftly brought to our room to rest and collect ourselves. When we re-emerged we were greeted again by the Pugliese chef's magnificent baked goods. After a late breakfast outdoors with a view from above of the sprawling estate, we took a walk down the long path lined with soaring cypresses, past the vineyards, to a wooded area where there were horses. We walked on a path through the cool woods, followed it up the hill and gathered flowers along the way, and found our way back to the main lodgings. We met some of the staff collecting berries in a net under a tree--berries that later the chef made into a breakfast tart. Our day was lazy and peaceful. We swam in the pool, explored the property more, read outside in the shade, and ate fantastic meals -- even the simplest of dishes were carefully prepared and flavorful. Some of the best Pugliese and Tuscan cooking I've had, and an interesting mix of the two, at times. The farm's wine is delicious and plentiful as well. Elena is also a sincere and generous person. We got to know her during our stay (although she seemed to know exactly when we wanted to keep to ourselves) and learned she has a great sense of humor. She also has a very interesting family history. This was my third time here and it won't be my last. It's very easy to grow attached.