Villa la Massa: A Medici Villa on the Banks of the Arno

Villa la Massa occupies a cluster of Medici-era buildings on the banks of the Arno at Candeli, a short drive upriver from Florence. A Leading Hotels of the World Sustainability Leader, it trades the bustle of the city for Renaissance architecture, riverside gardens and the calm of the Tuscan countryside, while keeping Florence within easy reach.

The dining is rooted in Tuscany. Il Verrocchio, under chef Stefano Ballarino, honors regional tradition with balance and refinement overlooking the Arno; L'Oliveto Bistrot brings a bright Mediterranean approach in a former hayloft; the Bar Mediceo pours Dante-inspired cocktails; and a 15th-century vaulted cellar holds over 400 labels for private tastings.

For a serene, historic Tuscan base near Florence, Villa la Massa is a standout.

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