Pleasures in swimming pool at Poderen Santa Pia in Castiglioncello Bandini, Tuscany

The swimming pool, a serene expanse of cerulean, lays encircled by the gleaming alabaster tiles that form its elegant basin. In the languid afternoon light, it becomes a canvas of aqueous ripples and shifting reflections, a testament to the seductive power of liquid allure. In the resplendent Tuscan sun, time takes on a languid quality, as if the very hours conspire to elongate their passage. The body, enveloped by the warm embrace of the Mediterranean climate, surrenders to the tender cradle of water, the weightlessness a reminder of life's transitory nature. The embrace of liquid elements harks back to the primordial, a tactile memory encoded in our very essence.
It is in this aqueous theater that solitude finds its match in conviviality. Swimmers move through water, their sinuous forms like dancers engaged in a choreography of freedom. Laughter, like the tinkling of wind chimes, punctuates the air as friends and strangers converge, finding solace in the communal communion of water's embrace. The human canvas, painted with the hues of relaxation and camaraderie, emerges as a tableau vivant, a living embodiment of leisure's manifold pleasures.
The diving figure, frozen in mid-air, heralds a suspended moment pregnant with both anticipation and release. The titular splash, a crescendo of whites and blues, radiates outward – an ephemeral burst frozen in perpetual motion, akin to the oscillations of memory and time. 1

Amiata peperino tiling and the clear blue water of the large swimming pool [1]

Diving into the inviting waters of a pool in the heart of Tuscany evokes a sense of sensory immersion akin to the words of Susan Sontag. (I am reading her brilliant essay, The Dancer and the Dance, a captivating exploration of the intricate relationship between the artist and their art form).
The crystal-clear aquamarine hues seem to mirror the timeless beauty of Tuscan landscapes, where each dive becomes a plunge into the depths of history, culture, and natural splendor. The sensation of water enveloping your body is a reminder that in this serene moment, you are suspended between the artistry of man-made marvels and the embrace of Nature herself, an experience that resonates with Sontag's profound exploration of the aesthetics of existence.


Nature and tranquility From May to October, swim or refresh yourself in the clear blue water of the large swimming pool surrounded by greenery and nature. Relaxation of a sunbath at the edge of the pool with a wide panorama of incredible views across the Ombrone valley, and the warm embrace of the Mediterranean climate, prepare the basis for an unforgettable holiday. The Tuscan Maremma is one of the most unspoilt and beautiful areas in Italy, famous for its breathtaking landscapes, culture and delicious cuisine. Podere Santa Pia located right in the heart of the Maremma, with a privileged position between the hills and the countryside.

Early morning light at the private swimming pool at Podere Santa Pia	A bigger splash in swimming pool at Podere Santa Pia, southern Tuscany	A bigger splash in the pool, Podere Santa Pia, Castiglioncello Bandini, Cinigiano, Tuscany

Early morning light at the private swimming pool at Podere Santa Pia	Afternoon light at the private pool at Podere Santa Pia, with the elegant EMU garden furniture	We enjoyed a beautiful early evening by the pool, with a simple aperitif with the white wine Carabatto (Parmoleto) and fiori di zucchini baked in booklet flour

Vista sulla campagna maremmana, paese etrusco	Panoramic view from Santa Pia on the Tuscan Maremma, seen from Santa Pia	The appealing clearness of Podere SantaPia in a mild winter landscape


Podere Santa Pia, Grotere kaart bekijken
[1] Photo by Traveling Guide © All rights reserved [2] Susan Sontag's essay, The Dancer and the Dance, is a captivating exploration of the intricate relationship between the artist and their art form. With her trademark eloquence and intellectual depth, Sontag delves into the world of dance, dissecting not only the physicality and technique but also the essence of what it means to be a dancer. In this essay, Sontag dissects the duality that exists within the dancer—the tension between the individuality of the artist and the artistic expression conveyed through their body's movements. She examines how the dancer becomes a vessel through which the choreographer's vision is realized, highlighting the unique fusion of discipline and creativity that dance demand Sontag's prose is as mesmerizing as the performances she describes, as she contemplates the sensuality, vulnerability, and transcendence that dance can encapsulate. She delves into the inherent ephemerality of dance, where each performance exists in a fleeting moment, leaving an indelible mark on the audience and the performer alike. The Dancer and the Dance is a testament to Sontag's ability to illuminate the profound within the seemingly ordinary. Her essay invites readers to contemplate the profound interplay between art and artist, leaving them with a deeper appreciation for the mesmerizing world of dance and the enigmatic connection between the dancer and their craft.