Castello di Casole, As Seen by Cecy Young

Words by Belmond Editors

A woman with a towel hair-wrap drinks tea from a porcelain botanical-print cup, seen at eye-level over a table of pastries.

The latest in Belmond’s ‘As Seen By’ photography series sees Cecy Young discover a sense of home in the sprawling hills of the Tuscan countryside.

What does it mean to truly feel at home? Is it the familiarity of faces, the ritual of a morning coffee crafted just the way you like it, or the feeling of sunlight on your skin?

As the winner of the inaugural Belmond Photographic Residency in 2024, photographer Cecy Young spent two weeks at Castello di Casole in Tuscany tasked with distilling the essence of ‘home’ through her lens. Known for her cultural nuance, humour and humanity, Cecy’s style was a perfect match for the property – capturing life’s quieter moments with a sense of stillness, joy and nostalgia that defies any specific era.

Looking down on a plate of edible flowers, in orange, pink and purple, alongside a mange-tout, radish and haricot bean pod.

A man in a red jumper lies like a starfish on a hill, feet pointing to the wide Tuscan views, seen from grass above his head.

Originally a medieval castle rising from ancient Etruscan soil, Castello di Casole is now a hotel where time slows down and guests are welcomed like family. Rose-scented fields, lush vineyards, glowing sunsets and that unmistakable Tuscan sun – it all comes together in a place guided by the seasons and nourished by homegrown abundance.

A woman relaxes in one of four patio chairs by a sunny exterior wall brushed by the tall shadow of a cypress tree off camera.

A woman holds the handle of her coffee cup at a table with a plate of three sugar-dusted bombolones, seen from above.

Tucked within the ancient village of Querceto, Castello di Casole is steeped in centuries of noble stories. During the 1950s, Italian director Luchino Visconti made it his seasonal sanctuary, entertaining Hollywood luminaries with his distinctive Tuscan glamour. Today, as part of Belmond, it remains not only a luxurious retreat but also a working agricultural estate committed to sustainability, with a strong focus on local craftsmanship and organic farming.

A woman in a black dress with white piping and socks crawls across a breakfast table with pastries, fruit, coffee and salmon.

To weave in this history through her lens, Young turned her focus to stolen moments of village life – morning dew gathering on a leaf, unhurried breakfasts, golden-hour naps in nature – each image evoking moments of pause and play. From the infinity pool overlooking the Tuscan hills to the vineyards via a breakfast table laden with fine china and delicate pastries, her lens on the locale is both vibrant and serene. She didn’t stage scenes; instead she observed, letting sensation rather than story guide her lens, following light, texture and atmosphere in search of fleeting moments that happen naturally at the hotel.

View over gardens of the exterior of Casello di Casole with three levels of doors and windows in warm honey-toned walls.

The other side of a gold-yellow translucent curtain, illuminated from behind, a man, seen as a shadow, raises a wineglass.

Through Cecy Young’s eyes, Castello di Casole becomes a gentle reminder that home can be found wherever we allow ourselves to slow down, breathe deeply and savour life’s simplest moments. Discover it for yourself and write your own story among Tuscany’s timeless hills.

WATCH THE FILM VISIT CASTELLO DI CASOLE

Delve deeper into

You might also enjoy

The Niterói Contemporary Art Museum stands on the eastern headland of Boa Viagem beach, like a recently landed UFO

An Art & Design Lover’s Guide to Rio de Janeiro

From the tiled steps of Escadaria Selarón to hillside ateliers and bay-front museums, Rio de Janeiro is a city where modernism, music and tropical landscape collide. Discover Darcie Imbert’s guide to the artistic metropolis, featuring iconic works by Oscar Niemeyer and Roberto Burle Marx.

Camelids graze in the open plains of the Altiplano, dwarfed by the snowy ridges and peaks of the La Raya mountain ranges.

Holy Mountain

Mountains are an incredibly important symbol in Incan history and Andean culture — both geographically and culturally. Join us as we climb through the history of the Andean mountains, learning how indigenous people are maintaining ties to their natural and spiritual surroundings.

Baz Luhrmann, in black, and Catherine Martin in burgundy with glasses, look through designs in a busy art studio.

Celia, the British Pullman Carriage by Baz Luhrmann & Catherine Martin

Drawing inspiration from a broad sweep of theatrical history – from Shakespeare to Laurence Olivier – director Baz Luhrmann and cinematic designer Catherine Martin have created a dazzling new private dining carriage for the British Pullman. Here, we explore the story, process and craft behind the carriage Celia.

An intricate artwork made from individual ink brushstrokes in black, grey and shades of purple, by artist Wu Jian'an.

How 500 Brushstrokes Become One

“Human encounters are truly magical.” In an era shaped by artificial intelligence and rapid technological change, this reflection by Chinese artist Wu Jian’an feels quietly radical. It also serves as the emotional core of 500 Brushstrokes in Peru, his ambitious travelogue and participatory art project, soon to be exhibited at Art SG Singapore.

Elena Carozzi, with chignon-ed blond hair looks for pigments on an art shelf, seen from behind in her busy wallpaper studio.

The Artisans Reimagining Florence’s Finest Hotel

Italy’s ultimate retreat and Renaissance haven, Villa San Michele occupies a privileged perch on the hills overlooking Florence. Set within the original monastery and gardens, every space is designed to deepen the connection to Florence’s breathtaking landscape and rich culture. Discover the artisans reviving this Renaissance legend, reopening in Spring 2026 after a complete renovation.

A man in a red velvet jacket carries a huge red glass vase of big blooms and tall stems in shades of pink, seen from behind.

Belmond’s 2026 Culture Calendar

With our properties situated across some of the world’s most culturally rich destinations, our 2026 calendar highlights must-see music festivals, art fairs and luxury travel experiences around the globe.

Filmmaker Wes Anderson sits at a French polished table in an art deco carriage and observes the world through the window

How Wes Anderson Redesigned Our Train

Travel in a vintage train carriage designed by pioneering film director Wes Anderson, director of new film The Phoenician's Scheme, on your next visit to the United Kingdom.

Castello di Casole, As Seen by Cecy Young