Postcards from... Booklet 2022

The scenic St. Regis Florence has been a preferred choice for travellers since the 18th Century. Steps away from iconic landmarks, it offers an unrivaled immersion into the cradle of the Renaissance. Reflecting Florence’s rich artistic heritage, 81 spacious guest rooms and 19 distinctive suites are exercises in discreet opulence and refined elegance with rich colours, custom frescos and sparkling crystal chandeliers, where the antique décor pays homage to the city’s artistic heritage. Additionally, all guests enjoy impeccable St. Regis Butler Service any time, day or night. Located on Piazza Santa Maria Novella,The Place Firenze is an exceptional haven, more like a sophisticated home than a hotel, adored by everyone who stays behind its discreet townhouse facade. Inside, it is elegance epitomised, with centuries worth of artifacts and lovingly homemade food served all day in its comfortable lounges.This is where different stylistic philosophies are harmoniously joined together: a Charles X fireplace, objects from the 70s, neoclassical furniture and lamps from the 50s, fit perfectly with the sleek masculine soft-coloured décor. This spectacular 37-suite hotel has a great location close to the medieval arches of the Ponte Vecchio, and is part of the Lungarno Collection owned by the Ferragamo family. Most of the suites offer views of Ponte Vecchio and the Arno River. River view suites offer stunning views and a private terrace with hot tub, while the stunning rooftop suite offers an amazing panorama of the city. There is a blend of classic and contemporary interior design, accented with many amazing touches from Florentine architect Michele Bonan. The Grand Hotel Baglioni Hotel is a symbol of Florentine hospitality, has always been a protagonist of historical and society events, and has welcomed visitors from all over the world since 1903. It is located in the heart of Florence, a short walk from the Palazzo dei Congressi. The 193 recently renovated rooms in the ancient residence of the Carrega Bertolini princes have been cleverly adapted to give you 193 different ways to enjoy your stay in Florence. The restaurant, and in summer the magnificent roof garden, have splendid views over the city. Portrait Firenze Grand Hotel Baglioni St. Regis Florence The Place Firenze Nestled in20hectaresof lemon andolivegroves andon a lazybendof theArno River, liesthehistoricVillaLaMassa.With itspeaceful,ruralsettingsome20minutes upstream fromFlorence,VillaLaMassawillappealtothoseseekingthebestofboth worlds.ThisMedicivilla is toall intentsandpurposesa country resort,but ineasy distance from Florence's artistic treasures. 37 rooms and suites decoratedwith baroque furnishings and a goodly number of four poster beds are distributed betweenthehistoricmainbuildingandanumberofoutbuildingsgivingarealsense ofspaceandexclusivity toguests.Diningal fresco isa joybeside thespaciouspool. Candeli,nearFlorence Outof town residenceon the riverbank Villa LaMassa Belmond Villa SanMichele Fiesole Hillsidehideaway Just20minutesdrive from the centreof Florence,BelmondVilla SanMichele, is couched inthehillsbelowthevillageofFiesole.Originallya15thcenturymonastery, thisboutiquehotelhasbeen thriving since the1980s, and its stunning façade is attributed toMichelangelohimself.Offeringa selectionof lavish suitesand rooms, this restful retreat channels theopulenceofabygoneerawith sumptuous fabrics, beautifulmarblebathroomsand lushgardenstoexplore.Thesweepingviewsofthe city fromthegardens,mostoftherooms,therestaurantandthepoolaremagnificent, and the temperatureuphere isseveraldegreescooler in theheightof thesummer. When theheat isonhead for thehills When theheatmakesone’sappetitewane,Florentinesgo todinner in thehills beyond the city. Locatedononeof themostpanoramic terracesofFiesole,La ReggiadegliEtruschi (onceamonasteryand latera tearoom) is todayoneof the mostexclusive restaurants in the citywithbreathtakingviewsoverFlorence. Gourmetsandwiches Soyouare right in the thickof theaction,you’vepoppedoutof the UffizziGalleryandareabitpeckish,butyou fear that there’snowhere decent togetaquickbite ...wrong!You couldfinda restaurant,butall you reallywant isagourmetpaninoanda refreshingglassofwine ...goodnews...pop into Ino.Located just steps from theUffiziGallery inFirenze, the15yearoldpaninoteca serves inventivepaninimade withauthentic regional ingredients,whichare sourced from small- scale farmsdirectlyby theownerand founder,AlessandroFrassica. His creationsare sogood thathehas featuredonnationalTVand in 2022 came second inanationalpollof sandwichmakers. Can Imakeaproposal? TheGoldenView restaurant is situatedon theveryedgeof the riveron theOltrarnowithunparalleledviewsof thePonteVecchioand theVasari Corridorof theUffizzi.Whilst themain restaurant ispretty special,why notbookaprivatediningexperienceon the terraceand let the senseof occasionwork itsmagic,and ifyouhave forgotten the ringdon’tpanicas you candash toFratelliPicini jewelery shopon thebridge! Trufflesand sparkles Locatedamong thedesigner storesof chicViaTornabuoni,Procaccihasbeena classicFlorentinewateringhole since 1885.Nowownedby theAntinoriwine- growing family, ithas retainedan elegant,old-fashionedair.Sipaglassof Antinorihouseproseccoor Italy’sfinest sparkles fromFranciacortawhilst nibbling their irresistible trufflepanini. VillaCora is,quite simply,magnificent.Built in the1870sbyBaronOppenheimer forhiswife, this ravishingpalacesitsatopahilloverlooking theBoboliGardensand epitomisesthegrandeurandopulenceofthebaroquestyle.Whetheryou’resipping a chilled cocktailon the stunning rooftop terracewith itspanoramic viewsover Florence, or enjoying themanicured gardens that surround the hotel, you’re guaranteed tohaveanunforgettablestay.Theonlyhotel incentralFlorence tooffer sucha facility,VillaCoraboastsa largeoutdoorpool inthepark,allowinggueststhe uniqueopportunity tosoakup theTuscansunwhilebeing in theheartof thecity. ThePickofFlorenceHotels Highly recommended luxuryhotels both in thecentreandoutof town NearBoboliGardens,Oltrano,Florence Ravishingpalace BrunelleschiHoteloccupiesanenviableposition right in theheartof themedieval quarterof thecity. Just stepsaway from theDuomo,whatwasonceamedieval churchwitha circularByzantine tower isnowa sumptuousboutiquehotel that has itsown smallmuseum showcasing thebuilding'shistory.Tuckedaway ina beautifulprivatecourtyard,BrunelleschiHoteloffersguests theuniqueexperience of feeling pampered in a serene and secluded retreat, while having the architectural and culturaldelightsof Florence righton theirdoorstep.Dinnerat the in-houseMichelin-starred restaurant ishighly recommended. HotelBrunelleschi Villa Cora Tuscan Treats When it’s time to takeabreak from theartandarchitecturehereare somesuggestions forabitof Florentinehospitalityandaglass or threeofsparklingproseccoora heartyChianti. PiazzaSantaElisabetta,Florence Baroquesplendourmeets the21stcentury the rollinghillsandvineyardsofChianti is righton thedoorstep,andother Tuscanart towns suchasPisa,SienaandLuccaareaneasydriveoutof the city. Florence'scompact sizemeanseverything isveryclose,withmostof the main sights lyingwithinwalkingdistanceofoneanother.This isbecause thecity sits ina relativelynarrow riverbasinwithhillsoneach side restricting the spread.A seriesofbridgesacross theArno link thehistoric centrewith theOltrarnodistrict. Spending timeon ‘theother side’makesawelcomeescape from the surgingcrowdsaround theusual sightsof theDuomoandPontevecchioas wellas theUfizziandAccademiagalleries.Veryclose to the southernendof thePontevecchioyouwilldisciver thegrandiosePittiPalace,whichhouses many importantartcollections. Justbehind,youwillalsodiscoverheBoboli Gardens,oneof thecity’s largestparks,whereyoucanwanderamong centuries-oldoak trees, sculpturesand fountains.Themoreyou strayaway from the river themoreyouwilldiscover theartisan soulof thecity since it hasbecome thearea towhichmanyof thesevery specialised industries relocatedascurio shopsbegan todominate thenorthernbank.Thewhole areaaround thePiazzadiSantoSpirito still thrumswithartisanal traditions likebook-binding,handmade jewelleryand shoes.And ifyouwant the postcardviewontoFlorence thenyouneed toclimb thehills toPiazzale Michelangeloand theChurchofSanMiniatoalMonte. YoucouldvisitFlorenceatany timeof theyear,but thebest times toevade both thecrowdsand theheatare late spring (March to June)andearly autumn. (September-October).All inall, this isoneofEurope’smost civilised longweekenddestinations. A glittering repositoryofworks from thegoldeneraof theRenaissance,Florence isoneof theworld’sgreat artcities.With the strikingandharmoniousbuildings ofBrunelleschi, frescoesbyGiottoandGhirlandaio, canvasesbyBotticelliandBronzino,and sculptures byMichelangeloandGiambologna, there is somuchexquisiteart andarchitecturewithin itsancientwalls thatyoucoulddedicate years rather thandays touncoverallher treasures. Andyet there isalsoa livingcity toenjoy, fullof fashionboutiques,quirky shopsand qualityartisanworkshops. Itmayhavea richartistic legacybut it isalsoahotbed for contemporaryartandculturewhich reflectsacommunitydisplayinganelectric,heartfelt mixofoldandnew. As forentertainmentandgastronomy, the streetsarebrimfulof restaurantsandbarsandas the sun sets revellerswill soondiscoverabuzzingnightlife scene.Furthermore,dependingonyourcultural schedule, theopportunity toescape to