From alpine mountains in Lake Como, Tuscan towns, historical haunts in Venice to fashion capital Milan, there is a lot to be envied. With a culture dating back thousands of years, the country strikes a balance between tradition and contemporary living. With everything to offer, read on for top boutique and luxury stays.
STAY
Agriturismo Le Radici, Lake Como
A secluded farmhouse behind Lake Como, is a must stay for locally owned and operated artisanal adventures just a short ride from the buzz of Milan. The countryside abode sits among the mountains, with access to the property only via Jeep pick up from the team or a thirty minute hike from the town of San Fedele Intelvi. The farm produces nearly one hundred percent of its own produce from vino, cheese, pasta to polenta, honey and fruit. The cured meats are hunted from the wild boar native to the area, as for the other wildlife you’ll find them walking freely across the grasslands from llamas, sheep, cows to horses imported from the owners hometown in Sardinia. Run by a humble couple, one from the local area of Como and the other Sardinia are conscious about the environment and continually looking for sustainable ways to run their small-scale operation. While adding their own taste of fusion to each dish — music bread or ravioli — pulling from a seasonal menu. With snow capped mountains in the Winter or lush Summer gardens this place is a fairy tale in nature.
Agriturismo Le Radici / Alpe di Blessagno, 22028 Blessagno – Valle Intelvi, Como, Italy / +39 347 7403132 / info@leradiciagriturismo.it / leradiciagriturismo.it
Locanda al Colle, Tuscany
Soaking up Italy’s finest wines, while enjoying the Tuscan beachside, Locanada al colle is a panoramic guest house in the hills of Versilia. Situated an hour’s drive from Pisa, and less to Lucca, you can even take a trip to the ancient Estruscian city of Volterra. Hugging beach and vineyards, the twelve room stay is pet friendly and includes three suites, a salt water pool and jacuzzi. Plus access to a private beach club, Bagno Chimera in Marina di Pietrasanta. With vintage art deco and marble sculptures, each room feels dusted in warm, olive and creme colors that reflect the natural surroundings it sits in. While a private chef serves up local produce from breakfast to dinner, or pop into a cooking class to get a taste of the region's hearty cuisine. The gorgeous family run business is the romantic vision of Tuscany you’ve been looking for.
Locanda al Colle / Via la Stretta, 231, loc. Capezzano Pianore, 55041 Camaiore, LU, Italy / +39 0584 915 195 / info@locandaalcolle.it / locandaalcolle.com
Aman, Venice
Go back in time to the palatial settings of the 16th-century Palazzo Papadopoli at Aman in Venice. The 24 room hotel is replete with spa, gym, library, private jetty and gardens, with suites offering views of the Grand Canal. A hidden gem in the historic building is their intimate spa that is a must for scrubs or massages that will bring you to Asia with fragrant scents, a soaking tub and treatments. Adorned with painted ceilings from 18th-century painter Tiepolo, silk walls and chandeliers from the lobby to the rooms, Rococo artworks are paired beautifully with the compteroary stylings of Jean-Michel Gathy. Rising from the sea this ancient city is a world not far from fantasy whether for its grand canals, Basilica, biennials, glassmaking or cicchetti.
Aman / Palazzo Papadopoli, Calle Tiepolo 1364, 30125 VE, Italy / +39 041 2707333 / amanvenice.res@aman.com / aman.com/hotels/aman-venice
Four Seasons, Milan
With an underground spa and pool in the heart of Milano’s designer fashion district, the former 15th Century Convent has style from heel to Murano chandelier. Spread across three interconnected buildings the 118 room hotel surrounds a central courtyard garden. Suites laced in marble, terracotta and earth tones balance well with the neighboring architecture and history, while contemporary touches bring a sense of peace next to Via Gesù. It’s the modern vision of Italy, from the Duomo, Galleria to Fashion Week.
Four Seasons Hotel Milano / Via Gesù, 6-8, 20121 Milano MI, Italy / +39 02 77088 / fourseasons.com/milan
A SMALL JEWEL
Isola d’Elba, Tuscany
With Tuscany’s manicured gardens, rustic vineyards and rolling hillsides, visions of Elba Island are for seaside lovers instead. Sun-soaked from coast to coast, Napoleon’s getaway is an hour ferry ride from the mainland, and is full of pebble-stoned beaches, yachts, boats and seafood luxury. Spiaggia di Pomonte and Relitto di Pomonte are for the snorkelers out there where a sunken ship just of the beach dwells beneath the surface, then the town of Capoliveri is a fortress of history that sits at the height of the eastside with views onto the sea.
Isola d’Elba / Province of Livorno, Italy
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