Novanta 90 - Tuscany, Italy
What openend as a pop-up hotel back in 2013 now is one of the most exciting agriturismo’s in Tuscany. Set in a tiny deserted village away from civilization, Novanta 90 is all about slowing down and disconnecting from day to day.
Novanta, Italian for ninety - the number of days the pop-up hotel would initially open for - is the type of place to instantly fall for. It's founded by three Dutchmen and ran by a team of down to earth hospitality and outdoor enthusiasts who turned it into a magical 'experience hotel' away from the crowds, perched in the hills above the sleepy town of Bibienna. It's probably best described as an abandoned medieval village, beautifully restored and turned into hotel rooms and a cozy main house which, next to a handful of guest rooms, also houses communal spaces, the kitchen, lots of cozy corners and two fireplaces. All of this surrounded by the Tuscan cliche we so dearly love: rolling hills as far as the eye can see and a few glinstering villages tucked in between.
Another thing we love is that Novanta is very much a place with a sense of community. The set-up of the hotel makes it easy to connect with other guests and hotel staff, whether it's during the outdoor activities offered by the hotel (hikes, mountainbike tours or truffle hunts if you’re visiting in autumn) or during breakfast, lunch or dinner - served on large wooden tables in the main house or during summer al fresco outdoors. Each meal is turned into a true Italian feast when guests and hotel staff mingle around the large tables with bottles of wine from the honesty bar and good stories of that days activities. The dishes are truly good and in case the kitchen takes requests: the fresh tagliolini with cacio and pepe and the orange with honey cake are absolute winners.
As for the activities there are also options to explore by yourself. Think hikes through the La Verna forest, a visit to the charming town of Poppi or dips in the icy cold Corsalone river. And for those in need of no action at all: the stunning infinity pool at Novanta is the perfect place for all day lingering.
The hotel currently holds 18 rooms, ranging from doubles to spacious family rooms that accommodate up to five. Natural elements prevail with stone walls, wood beamed ceilings and terracotta tiled floors. Each room comes with a comfortable bed, extra blankets (nights can be cold in the mountains) and a private bathroom. All are peppered with vintage Italian furniture like worn down velvet sofas and wooden cabinets. Get a room with valley views to watch the morning sunlight hit the valley below. Keep in mind there’s limited electricity and no wifi in the rooms (only in the main house) - but that’s all part of the Novanta experience.
Novanta is open all year round and each season has its treats, whether its cozying up around the fireplace and stargazing in winter, enjoying the long balmy days in summer or during those crisp air autumns when the hills around Novanta turn all shades of yellow and orange. Novanta stands for ninety but it might as well mean magic.