DURING June’s heatwave, escapism from London is at the forefront of my intentions. Luckily, I’m just boarding for Tuscany. Without any expectations in mind, Oasyhotel does promise to be an experience I won’t soon forget.
I heard a while ago about a place high up in San Marcello Piteglio where time stands still. And having just landed in Florence, that’s exactly where I’m heading for a few days of wellness. Nature cures everything.
Oasyhotel is located within the WWF-protected Oasi Dynamo reserve. It’s the perfect synergy between environmental conservation, social responsibility and positive responsible tourism through its deep-rooted philanthropic philosophy and effort into eco-sound agriculture, breeding programmes and scientific research.
All I can see in sight at 1500m altitude is over 1,000 hectares of land. I’m in a forest. Before becoming a natural reservation, the land was used as a hunting reserve.
Now, the main scope is preservation. Staying true to WWF’s core values, the land also happens to have 13 wolves, most of which feed on wild bores. I didn’t think much of it until my friend pointed out over dinner that Pumba was a wild boar. The famous ‘circle of life’ phrase now holds a new meaning for me.
When the car pulls up at the hotel’s reception, I’m taken aback by the simplicity. Everything seems Scandinavian-inspired, but it’s the ethos of the hotel. Find luxury in simplicity.
The lodge that hosted us echoed the sentiment. Wooden floors and the fresh smell of pine in the morning. The land hosts 16 lodges and two restaurants serving farm-to-table Tuscan cuisine.
This is precisely why our first activity in the morning is forest foraging. I did say that I wanted to become one with nature. In my true fashion, I carry on pestering the chef into explaining what each herb can be used for. I believe I accidentally mouthed the words ‘that looks poisonous’ one too many times.
You can take a girl out of the city, but you probably shouldn’t. My trust issues are soon resolved when I see the end result. Our morning activity was transformed into the delicious filling of our lunch ravioli.
But my new country-life mentality doesn’t stop there. Kayaking in the rain? Let’s do that twice. Cheese making? Everyone needs a backup career. Going out for a midnight run in the middle of a storm? Check. However, after posting the last one on my Instagram, my phone won’t stop ringing.
Everyone far and wide is shouting ‘Go back inside the house, you are lacking common sense,’ as my mother would like to be quoted. My flair for writing is enhanced by life-altering experiences, I try to kindly explain.
But my sense of humour is dismissed under the argument that I should probably stay in my eco-luxurious cabin if there is a hurricane. Sensible advice.
But honestly, with determination at heart, I’m willing to try everything and anything here. The forest makes me feel safe. I settled in a nest-like manner in less than 3 days, so I just know that I’ve stumbled upon a magical place. Now, I just need to purchase 3,000 hectares of land for my holiday home.
But only after I marry a handsome Italian with whom I shall have two children that will run free through the forest. Yes, I am now aiming for La Dolce Vita.
It’s not hard to imagine why people fall in love with this place. Time does stand still. On my last evening, as I make my way to dinner, I see a full rainbow over the Tuscanian land. This feels like home.
And I’m showered from head to toe in gratitude that I still get to experience the glory of nature. All of this would probably not have been possible had it not been for WWF’s efforts in conjunction with Oasyhotel. So, this isn’t goodbye, this is ‘I’ll see you soon.’
by Adina Ilie
Oasyhotel is open seasonally from April until October 2023. In low season, stays start from €476 per lodge per night on a bed and breakfast basis. Stays include minibar access, e-bike usage, access to private lake and water sports and valet parking. www.oasyhotel.com