Trasierra, located less than two hours from Seville, is a 16th-century midsummer night’s dream restored to perfection, courtesy of an English gentlewoman with exquisite taste. (Sister Parish would approve.) Charlotte Scott and her then husband, Nick, began restoring Trasierra 40 years ago, and today it’s full of peace, laughter, and eccentricity, abundant with the latest books, as well as bath oil, flowers, writing paper (that gorgeous old thing), olive oil, honey, almonds, vegetables, eggs, and yogurt. (The property’s 450-acre estate also includes olive and orange groves.) Trasierra’s 12 double bedrooms are now available for rental; five are located in the main house, the rest in a tumble of delightful white cottages in the rambling, lavender-scented garden. Perfect for chic house parties, weddings, big birthdays. By all means, help yourself to drinks by the pool—“Just write down your approximate consumption,” a note suggests. And avail yourself of a divine straw hat because, as Charlotte confides, “getting a sunburn here can lead to five generations of madness.”
Charlotte and her children now run Trasierra. Gioconda is a terrific foodie who trained with Argentinean super-chef Francis Mallmann; George organizes horseback-riding safaris with tented camps in the national park where the Spanish imperial eagle nests; Amber is the yoga guru. Arrive with your favorite dress, and Charlotte’s dressmaking service will copy it flawlessly. Enjoy summer cocktails in the fig garden, and in winter take in a roaring fire and a film in the screening room. Bryan Ferry visits Trasierra every year, and the Maharaja of Jodhpur has been seen wandering about the garden in his pajamas. “There’s no dress code here,” says Charlotte. “Only well dressed or badly dressed.” What’s not to love? —Victoria Mather
Trasierra is available to rent from $2,240 a night, which includes breakfast. All-inclusive experiences and long-term stays may be discussed directly with the proprietor.
Victoria Mather is a veteran travel writer based in London.
