In a natural embrace of splendid beauty arising from soft hills, a village, a tower and a cypress grove rests Sant’Elena, an ancient Tuscan residence made from stone and history. A sweet welcoming in its elegant interiors, furnished with love, antique furniture and valuable cloths; a moment of rest in a place without time, which, by itself, restores you; a reawakening with the smell of the morning and cakes which have been freshly made, in harmony with oneself.
The day trips are also unforgettable: from the sea just ten minutes away, to visiting the great cities of art or the many Etruscan remains or the exclusive thermal centres, to finishing the day by taking refuge in the characteristic trattorie where you can taste the great traditional Tuscan dishes, together with classic wines such as the great Bolgheri reds.

The Estate :
Since 1600, it has been an ongoing duty of family to maintain the historical, countryside and cultural heritage between the past and the present. The agritourism business extends beyond from the forests of the Magona Park, an extraordinary example of Mediterranean vegetation, to the immense, shady pine forests that run along the sea, through a peaceful and sunny countryside, with ancient olive trees which produce an extra-virgin olive oil of the highest quality, chosen for the Grand Gala Dinner for the Nobel Prize in 2006, with quality vines, wheat fields, which intermingle with green pastures for wild Chianina cows.

Environment:
S.Elena, ancient residence making up part of the Estates Gardini, has been restored to its former splendor by restoring the proprietor’s house according to its heritage; building an extension and installing a swimming pool to the old carriage way have given this place the impression of a small village which goes along gently in these hills.
The property has been divided into fifteen stunning rooms with corridors and open galleries of a time gone by, terracotta floors, and elegant earth colors on the walls, with truly antiquarian furnishing, large rooms in the proprietor’s house have been refined and they welcome guests for breakfast, a conversation, or a book in front of the fireplace.
Each thing here will remind you of the pleasing choice you have made to have your holiday in Tuscany between the sea and the countryside.

Garden:
S.Elena has been completely restructured, respecting the original characteristics and the integral garden. Thousands of roses, rosemary, lavender, freshly planted, make for an evolving garden with the final aim of surprising the guest.
In the midst of a stunning view between a tower, a cypress grove and an historic village, there is the swimming pool which, located near a small lake, makes you appreciate that the magic of sunset is complete with an aperitif or a good wine.

Breakfast
In wanting to make breakfast a special moment of the day, warm bread, marmalade, freshly made cakes and creamy milk are set on the beautiful nineteenth century table in the dining room; a ray of sunshine lights up the roses and so begins a beautiful day in S.Elena.

Services
* 8x20 swimming pool
* Bar service in the common areas and in the swimming pool
* Mountain biking

Concierge
* Secretary Service
* Organised excursions and guided tours
* Info and booking for dinner and events
* Laundry and ironing service
* Visit to the wine cellars of Bolgheri
* Children older than 11 years
* No pets
* No Internet connection
Check-in: 2 pm – 8 pm
Check-out: by 10 am


To allow you to enjoy your stay to the full we can arrange the following activities:
Reception with Concierge from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
On request:
Transportation by private car with driver
Laundry service
Italian and foreign Newspapers
Naturalistic itineraries with our Mountain Bike
Outdoor swimming pool in the garden 8x20 mt
Bar service
Picnic Baskets
Light Lunch
Holistic Treatments in our Wellness room
Rich Buffet Breakfast
Wine tastings with sommelier
Cooking Courses with hand-made Pasta and typical Tuscan cooking
Italian language course (for english or deutsch people)

Other activities
Nature trails
Wild Chianina cows
Alabaster quarry trail
Walking to find spectacular views among the olive groves, fields, and woods
On the trail of wild animals
Harvesting seasonal fruit
The path to the ancient kilns
The 18th-century oil mill
Wildlife along the streams
Officinal herbs
The vegetable garden
The ruins
Pine-woods
The old mill
Bee-keeping
The open sea

HOLISTIC TREATMENTS
In our corner wellness are available treatments with natural and organic products.
Soothing to establish and reduce relieve tension in the muscles Relaxing with essential oils and aromatherapy: made with warm aromatic oils to help relax the body and to restore the body natural energy
Reflexology localised on feet, hands, face and column to re-establish bioenergy through the stimulation of various body organs
Crystal therapy: treatment with aromatic essences and crystals for the wellbeing, the relaxation and rebalancing of the energy points
On request it is possible to book guided meditation with crystals, courses on holistic treatments such as Bach Flowers, Chakra Harmony.

Rooms:
The antique family furniture lend an atmosphere of other times; the four-poster beds from an old convent and the white sheets welcome the guest in a soft embrace; a book, a print, a photo give the sensation of having already been in this house and instil the desire to return.
The fifteen rooms are subdivided into three suites and twelve double rooms; each has their own charm, being spacious, comfortable and personalised.

Accommodations available:

Double: 7 - Suite: 8 -

Services Available:

Activities:

Location : Via Campo di Sasso, Bibbona - Bibbona (Lighorn)
Satellite coordinates: Lat. 43.26647 - Lon.43.26647

Reaching Relais Sant'Elena

Surrounds:
SANT'ELENA is located in the Commune of Bibbona, the heart of Tuscany, a marina on the Etruscan coast, famous for the sea, the beautiful views, its rich history and nature and the fascinating ancient villages.
The great Bolgheri reds come from here, famous throughout the world and the great sea food, red and wild meat.
The convenient location allows you to reach easily the most important cities of art and many places of cultural interest within around an hour.
S. Elena is just ten minutes from the sea.

Where we are:
By Car: Exit A 12 Rosignano M.mo. Entry Superstrada (south), after 13 Km. exit La California, south for 2 Km, turn left at the intersection for Bibbona, after 4 Km pass the church and turn right, then immediately left, follow the directions for the centre.
Cross through the town and continue along the unsealed road for 2 Km where you will find the directions for RELAIS SANT'ELENA.

By air: Pisa (70km) – Florence (130 km)

Relais Sant'Elena ON GOOGLE MAP

Rooms are all furnished with antique furniture and quality textiles, and equipped with air conditioning, heating, TV-sat, minibar, safe, hair-dryer.
All of them have a wonderful view.
We use modern geothermal and solar energy for our heating and air conditioning systems.
Rack rates are intended 2 people per night, breakfast, parking, outdoor swimming pool, taxes included.

2010 RACK

ROMANTIC: double room of 18 sqm at the 1° floor of the “Foresteria”, semi-canopy bed with valuable
colonial english fabrics, bathroom with shower, view over the tower. Connecting rooms available.
CHARME: double rooms of 18 sqm at the ground floor of the “Foresteria”, with a private outdoor space on
the veranda, bathroom with shower, view over the hills and village.
EXCLUSIVE: bedroom of 20 sqm with a canopy bed and stone walls located on the 1st floor of the Old
building, a small common veranda, bathroom with shower, view over the tower and the hills.
ELEGANT: bedroom of 20 sqm on the ground floor of the “Foresteria” with private outdoor space, with
semi-canopy bed with French fabrics, sofa bed, bathroom with shower, view over the village.
LUXURY: 35 sqm situated in the “Foresteria”
Luxury “NIDO” at the 1st floor on 2 levels with a small private veranda. Double bed and bathroom with
shower downstairs, 2 single canopy beds in the loft . View over the tower.
Luxury “IMPERO” on the ground floor with private outdoor space on the Veranda. Living room with single
sofa bed Empire. Double bedroom and bathroom with shower. View over the tower.
Luxury “PANORAMICA” on the 1st floor with a splendid view over the hills through the large windows in the
living room. Double bedroom and bathroom with bath.

Our services:
Breakfast Buffet - Bar service – Light Lunch- Outdoor Swimming-pool 8x20 - Air
conditioning/Heating - Satellite TV – Safe - Minibar – Parking – Laundry service -Mountain bikes
renting – Cooking Course – Italian Course
Children allowed over 11 years old

We close FROM 3 NOVEMER 2010 TO 27 MARCH 2011.
Arrival: from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Departure: within 10 a.m.

Unfortunately to ensure a relaxing stay for our guests, we don’t provide accommodation for children under 11.
No pets allowed.
All the rooms are "not smoking".
We are sorry we can’t provide our guests with Internet access because of inadequate telephone network coverage which may cause poor mobile phone reception.

Please contact Relais Sant'Elena for more information about availability and rates

Typical Tuscan cooking courses in with hand-made Pasta

THE TUSCAN COOKING :
Together with RELAIS SANT’ELENA, Massimo Gazzeri, a many years experienced fiorentine chef, organizes short cooking classes:
SELECTION OF TYPICAL DISHES:
starters with the typical chicken-liver toast, fettunta, ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, pasta e fagioli, panzanella,
pappardelle al cinghiale, stracotti e baccalà.

DISHES FROM MEDIEVAL TUSCANY :
Caterina salad, pesciova, colla bianca, testaroli alla lunigiana, sedani ripieni, cacciagione.

FRESH PASTA FRESCA AND GNOCCHI: how to make pasta and the receips to make tagliatelle, pappardelle, bigi, lasagne, gnocchi di patate, strozzapreti con alcune salse appropriate.

BREAD, FOCACCE AND QUICHE:
how to leaven, to make and to cook.

A “SURVIVAL” MENU :
a little course for those who can’t cook but want to learn some basic dishes!

SWEETS :
tiramisù, cenci, torta al cioccolato, torta di mele, budini, biscotti.

COFFEE:
history ,main characteristics, how to make a good espresso and the
secrets of a high quality cappuccino. Selection of home-made biscuit s to be
tasted together with them.