Villa San Gioacchino — A portrait in 2000 words in refined British English
Complete with the Camisa Essential service program
1. An overture on top of a hill in the Upper Cecina Valley
Drive up the quiet paved road that winds from Lajatico, the birthplace of Andrea Bocelli, and the Tuscan landscape will open up before you.
Villa San Gioacchino is located 390 meters above sea level and overlooks forty hectares of velvety hills, neatly arranged olive groves, and woods rustling in the English greenery. The alabaster spire of Volterra shines 45 minutes away, the super-Tuscan coast of Bolgheri is just outside the door, and the leaning tower of Pisa, white as marble, is easily reachable in less than an hour. If you really want to, you can pop over to Florence for breakfast and be back in time for a negroni at sunset.
2. From sacred stone to modern retreat
A thousand years ago, this place was a Romanesque church offering pilgrims absolution and shelter. Today, after a profound transformation led by an architect, the historic stones embrace 21st-century luxury. Exposed chestnut beams and arrowhead windows contrast with solar panels on the roof, while original terracotta tiles cover the underfloor heating. In the restored bell tower, a cantilevered raw iron staircase stands like a modern sculpture, while hand-applied lime plaster dampens the acoustics throughout the building. The result is neither a museum nor a flashy new building, but a living work of art in constant dialogue with the landscape.
3. Accommodation: where you feel at home
Master suite – king-size bed, cast iron stove, freestanding bathtub, and walk-in shower with rain showerhead.
Executive suite plus four guest rooms – distributed between the original ship and the tower; two marble bathrooms with brushed brass details. An internal door allows the wing to be converted into secure family accommodation.
Total capacity: up to twelve people, all areas with individual climate control, acoustic glazing, and high-speed fiber optic internet connection that meets even the city's most stringent VPN requirements.
The common areas are almost operational. A Bösendorfer grand piano invites you to improvise sonatas; the voice-controlled cinema envelops you in leather armchairs as soft as those in an exclusive Mayfair club; the billiard room smells faintly of Islay whisky and the secrets of the boardroom. For guests who appreciate comfort as much as luxury, a discreet helicopter landing pad is hidden behind the oak trees.
4. Private geothermal wellness
Beneath the first floor, a pocket of volcanic heat beats: 35°C water feeds an indoor pool lined with sandstone. Counter-current jets invite you to take a morning swim, while the chromotherapy whirlpool melts away the most tired shoulders from your journey. Adjacent spa facilities include a Turkish hammam, a Finnish sauna, and a fully equipped Technogym area. Outside, the 20-meter infinity pool seems to merge with the sunset over the Val di Cecina. Lavender borders adorn the entrance and fill the evening air with a fragrant scent.
5. Gastronomy: from farm to table with silver tongs
The kitchen looks like the cover of a Michelin guide: two convection ovens, rapid coolers, climate-controlled wine cellar. The Camisas Private Chef program takes care of everything, from shakshuka at dawn to moonlight Florentine steak, prepared on a custom-made wood-fired grill. Ingredients come from within a 20-kilometer radius, unless the sea has something fresher to offer. Vegan tastings, children's menus, and picnics for pescatarians are served with the same elegance.
6. Outdoor area and theater
Four pergolas adorn natural lawns, each oriented according to the sun's path and privacy. An orchard with cherry and citrus trees is located on the lower terrace, while a croquet lawn also serves as a platform for morning yoga. Marked trails wind through the property for jogging, Nordic walking, or e-bike adventures. After sunset, the only light comes from candles and a scattered row of Edison bulbs, officially in accordance with dark sky guidelines, but unofficially romantic.
7. Tailor-made experiences
Truffle hunting at dawn, accompanied by a licensed truffle hunter and his Lagotto.
Private tours led by archaeologists in Etruscan Volterra, behind barriers closed to the public.
Off-road excursions to the boraciferi geysers in the “Devil's Valley”: a lesson in geothermal energy taught by the earth itself.
Wine safari through Bolgheri, with wineries opened by the family owners.
Vespa rally along the winding roads of the Valdera, with scheduled tastings.
Pasta masterclass with Nonna Annalisa in the property's medieval kitchen.
Moonlight piano concerts: trust us, the grand piano is worth the price of admission.
Nothing is planned without your consent, and everything disappears with a click if the mood changes.
8. Camisa Essential – A superior level of service
Category Included Kadens
Concierge Pre-arrival planning, smooth check-in, 24/7 WhatsApp assistance Continuous
Cleaning Daily tidying, bed linen change every two weeks, towel change every three days Included
Welcome ritual Tuscan gourmet basket, bottle of Bolgheri DOC Superiore wine, seasonal flowers Upon arrival
Breakfast service Continental breakfast with sourdough bread, organic juice, barista-made espresso coffee Every day
Pool and garden maintenance Morning maintenance, pH balancing, discreet pruning Daily
Tech Butler Streaming setup, home automation guide, personalized Spotify playlists Upon request
Family comfort Crib, high chair, handmade toys for outdoor use Upon request
Wellness set XL bath towels, soft bathrobes, organic “Fonte Lavanda” bath products Continuous
Security Night patrols of the area, main safe, professional first aid kit 24/7
Local information Geolocated travel itineraries, secure restaurant reservations, insider tips. Continuous
Camisa Essential is included in the price per night, with no asterisks or hidden costs. Luxury is clarity.
9. Interior design: Tuscan elegance, London sophistication
Imagine Soho House married to a Renaissance priest. Warm terracotta and sand colors meet forest green velvet and cognac-colored leather. Recycled industrial light fixtures hang above oil-treated walnut tables. Modern canvases exchange glances with bronze sculptures in the garden: the most representative work of art, The Reading Thinker, stands silently guard under the wisteria-covered pergola. Each bed has two USB-C ports, because even rural idylls need power.
10. Sustainability that whispers, not shouts
Integrated solar panels preheat the water in the house and coexist with the terracotta roofs. Geothermal energy powers the spa and air conditioning system, while a rainwater harvesting system irrigates the decorative and productive gardens.
Plastic is absent. Camisa electric cars are parked under a cedar wood canopy connected to fast chargers. Eco-friendly cleaning products satisfy both the conscience and the sense of smell.
11. Corporate events and retreats
With 250 m² of modular indoor space and a panoramic lawn that serves as an outdoor ballroom, Villa San Gioacchino can host:
Boutique weddings with up to fifty guests, symbolic ceremonies among the olive trees.
Fashion shows and product launches: the Tuscan light contributes half of the artistic direction.
Wellness retreats with renowned breathing therapists and trainers.
Executive retreats are accessible from Florence Peretola in 25 minutes by helicopter.
The package includes a dedicated event manager, a distributed Bose sound system, and a silent backup generator, because thunderstorms should never ruin speeches.
12. Logistics: a smooth design
Flexible check-in/check-out tailored to private jet and helicopter schedules.
Transportation: Mercedes V-Class with driver, electric car assistant, IFR-approved Agusta 109 helicopter.
Pet policy: Four-legged companions are welcome after a brief interview to assess their “personality”: this is quiet luxury, not a kennel.
13. Five key advantages
Historic soul: sleep within walls that once resounded with Gregorian chants.
Private thermal spa: 35°C mineral water without queues.
Forty hectares of privacy: no neighbors, just birdsong.
Camisa Essential services: a concierge at your fingertips, not behind you.
Balanced design: international comfort wrapped in Tuscan leather.
14. Epilogue: the horizon awaits
In a world divided by warnings, Villa San Gioacchino stands as a gentle firewall of birdsong and wood smoke. At sunset, the infinity pool reflects constellations older than any LED screen; the outdoor grill crackles with olive wood embers and fills the air with a scent reminiscent of a memory you have yet to create. Unpack your bags, breathe, and let the land write a chapter of your autobiography. If time or the tide try to distract you, remember: the Vermentino is already chilled, the keys are in the lock, and Tuscany, tranquil and luxurious, awaits you.
Book today or wait a little longer: the villa will wait for you, patient as a centuries-old stone under the gentle Tuscan sun.
The following might be to be paid extra: Airport Pickup, Continental Breakfast, Cook, Pre-arrival grocery service, Refundable Security Deposit by credit card, Tourist tax.
