Our wedding at the magnificent Castello di Montalto in Castelnuovo Berardenga, Tuscany was an absolute fairytale come true. This medieval castle, with its historic charm and enchanting surroundings, provided us with an unforgettable venue for our special day. With its numerous apartments that comfortably accommodated our 44 guests for four nights was the perfect choice for our dream destination wedding.
The highlight of our ceremony was undoubtedly the olive groves within the property. With their timeless beauty and serene atmosphere, they created a truly magical setting for our vows. Surrounded by the Tuscan countryside and the gentle rustle of the olive trees, we exchanged our promises, creating a memory that will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
Beyond the breathtaking scenery, what truly made our experience exceptional were the incredible staff members, Chiara and Luca, who worked tirelessly to ensure our wedding was flawless. Their unwavering dedication and attention to detail were evident in every aspect of our stay. From the moment we arrived, they welcomed us with warmth and genuine care, making us feel like family.
Chiara and Luca went above and beyond to cater to our needs and the needs of our guests. Their impeccable organization and tireless efforts ensured that everything ran smoothly, allowing us to fully enjoy every moment of our celebration. They anticipated our every need, from coordinating logistics to attending to the smallest of details, making our wedding experience seamless and stress-free. They flawlessly organized our welcome dinner, ensuring that everyone felt a warm and heartfelt reception upon arrival. Additionally, the open bar and daily breakfast service added an extra touch of convenience and indulgence for our guests.
One of the most impressive aspects of Chiara and Luca's service was their flawless coordination of guest check-ins and check-outs. Despite guests arriving at different times, they managed the process with remarkable efficiency and professionalism.
The amenities offered by Castello di Montalto, including the pool, added an extra touch of relaxation to our wedding week. The venue provided a perfect blend of historical elegance and modern comforts, allowing everyone to unwind and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
We cannot emphasize enough how Chiara and Luca truly made our experience at Castello di Montalto extraordinary. Their tireless efforts and personal touch made our wedding celebration a flawless and unforgettable experience.
If you are seeking a medieval castle wedding venue that offers not only picturesque surroundings but also an exceptional team that will go above and beyond, Castello di Montalto is the perfect choice. The combination of historic charm, scenic beauty, and the dedicated service of Chiara, Luca, and the entire staff will create a wedding experience that exceeds your wildest dreams. Thank you, Castello di Montalto, for providing us with a fairytale wedding and memories that will...
Read moreOur family of five from Los Altos, CA stayed in the castle from August 1-August 8th 2015.
Castello di Montalto was first built around 850 AD, with first written record/mention of the castle in 1150. I learned this from Diana, the owner of the Castle where she invited all the guests of the castle for tea in her private quarters on the second day of our arrival. She told us the history, the ups and downs of the castle, it's owners and and her own story of how she and her husband Giovani came to own the castle. Her apartment is full of weapons found around the ruins of the castle, and to my amateur eyes looked extensive and authentic. It's like walking into a weapons museum. Dinner under the stars (you sign up in advance and pay extra for this) in the courtyard--the food, the company, the setting--all were amazing.
The castle has a pool, a game room (ping-pong), lawn bowling, tennis court and other distractions, but the best part of staying here is to explore the surrounding woods and creek. There are ancient Roman ruins and some Etruscan ruins here too (I've been told). Kids took a walk down to the creek one afternoon, walked to the stables and the farm house, and then spent time catching tadpoles and playing in the water.
The trip to the castle took place in the middle of our 16 day tour and our kids (ages 10-15) all agreed that the best part of our tour of Italy was being able to stay in the castle. We also got a bonus because our friends stayed in the apartment with the tower--great views and quite an adventure if you can take a peek.
Chiara, the manager of the castle and Diana, the owner (who is originally from Marin County, CA) make the experience of staying at the castle truly remarkable. Chiara and answered all of our questions about where to go, where to eat, what to do and on and on. Chiara is also an expert on truffles and helped us find a really good restaurant with exceptional truffle pasta 10 minutes from the castle.
We signed up for an excellent breakfast of locally produced hams, cheeses, baked goods, yogurts, various breads, pastries and jams. Be sure to chat with Chiara and pump her for information on the local area and she can make arrangments for all that you need.The castle also produces it's own honey and olive oil, and also brings in wine from their family vineyard.
A word. If you cannot tolerate the heat, best to stay away from the castle during the hot months of August and visit instead when the weather is cooler. It was quite hot during our stay as all of Europe was experiencing a heat wave. Being an old castle, it does not have air conditioning. They do provide a fan, but can be inadequate during the hottest...
Read moreA Truly Magical Place — The Best Week of My Life
We spent 4 days and 3 nights at Castello di Montalto with our closest family and friends, and I can honestly say it was the best week of my life. This place is truly magical — the kind of setting you dream about for a wedding.
But what truly set our experience apart was Chiara, the castle manager. During what had become a very stressful planning process, Chiara completely turned things around. She took what felt like a planning disaster and made it smooth, productive, and genuinely fun. Even on our wedding day — when we were still missing key items like a flower girl basket, cash for a vendor, or the music for our grand entrance — Chiara handled everything effortlessly. She had a solution for every issue before we even had time to worry.
Our guests couldn’t stop talking about her. She wasn’t just helping us — she was making sure every single guest felt cared for and welcomed.
The castle itself is absolutely breathtaking. It's perfectly set up for a multi-day celebration, with multiple event spaces, plenty of room for guests to stay, and a layout that allows you to create unique experiences each day. We danced late into the night, even making use of their hidden disco room after midnight! And their house wine? Incredible. Our friends were trying to take bottles home with them.
A huge thank you also to Luka, one of the sweetest and most helpful staff members we met. Despite how busy everything was during the wedding week, he was always patient, kind, and ready to help.
To Chiara, Luka, and the entire team at Castello di Montalto — thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping bring our dream wedding to life. We'll never forget it.
BTW - the breakfast & brunch...
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