It’s tricky to know how to start describing this extraordinary, rather eccentric place. Maybe just come – we can’t think of a single person who wouldn’t like it, except perhaps the unsociable who aren’t interested in food or natural beauty – and who wants to holiday with them anyway? So, it’s a bumpy, thrilling and steep drive uphill from the sparkling pools and waterfalls of the Corsalone river to reach the sort of views which are exciting and restful all at the same time. You’ll also find Novanta, a series of ancient buildings once used as an artistic retreat, plus a treehouse and skylodge, now serene places to stay around a central farmhouse. Here you eat, splendidly at a communal table with other guests and sometimes friends of the four Dutchmen and their crew who look after you. Join in if you like – hang around the kitchen if you want, help gather salads from the garden, chatter to adorable chef Jereon. You bed down in rustic splendour in whichever building you choose, you can wander the garden, make pasta, chat to the butcher, take a silent pilgrimage to La Verna or just read by the pool in a hammock. This is heaven.
