British pop star Sting is throwing open the doors of his 16th century estate in Tuscany to paying guests. The singer’s Il Palagio estate is in the medieval town of Figline Valdarno, some 15 miles southeast of Florence. When Sting and his wife, actress Trudie Styler, first came across the estate in 1999, it had fallen into a state of disrepair. They set about restoring the house, outbuildings and land. They stay at Il Palagio several months each year, and the estate’s output is now so prolific that they have opened a farm shop selling everything made or grown on the estate, including fresh vegetables and fruits, and the local salami. The couple are offering the use of the villa for weddings and private parties. It can accommodate 200 people. The ‘Irish Times’ reports that the former Police frontman is offering rented accommodation in six cottages on the estate for €7,000 a week each. The cottages can accommodate up to 50 guests. Previous guests are reported to include actor George Clooney and former American President, Bill Clinton. According to the Italian estate agency Immobiliare, guests have use of a swimming pool and a giant chessboard in the grounds with two-foot-high chess pieces. They can also dine in the wine cellar, which is lined with large, old wooden barrels. Some have suggested that the musician may have been prompted to rent out his home because of the dreaded IMU property tax. If so, it would appear that Sting is feeling the sting of taxation along with the locals.
