ForbesLife: 6 Romantic Escapes to Live Out Your Italian Dreams
Rolling hills of Tuscan vineyards; ancient arcades of Bologna; and picturesque cliff-side villages of Lake Como. No matter the setting, Northern Italy poses an idyllic scene. And these intimate escapes bring you even closer into the region’s spectacular beauty.
1. Relais Villa Vittoria, LaglioIf you know Laglio only as home to George Clooney’s lakefront haunt, here’s another excuse to get acquainted with this little slice of paradise. Fronting the shores of Lake Como, Relais Villa Vittoria is a 19th century former silk factory turned 11-room hideaway that checks every fairytale wish list. Old world elegance and farmhouse chic meet for an utterly romantic vibe from the parlor of soft leather couches and gilded furnishings to the light-flooded rooms with whitewashed, wood-beamed ceilings and eye-popping lake or hillside vistas. Spend your days sipping Prosecco on the sprawling terrace, taking a dip in the glass-rimmed infinity pool, or ferry hopping nearby towns like Bellagio, Cernobbio, or Varenna. Also a must: candlelit dinner at the villa’s window-walled La Barrique restaurant.
2. Maison Matilda, TrevisoJust a 30-minute train jaunt from tourist-flocked Venice, the untrodden town of Treviso is hands-down the region’s best-kept secret with miles and mazes of quiet cobbled lanes flanked by green-shuttered medieval buildings so authentically old-world Italy. And the six-room Maison Matilda is the place to take it all in. Tucked into a historic colonnade, this design labor of love by Luca Rossire sets a dark, refined vibe with every eclectic antique and contemporary furnishing blending oddly and beautifully: like a classic marble bust, wheelchair from yesteryear, and mod lamp casting an abstract arty glow on the wall. And because there are only a handful of guests, service is catered just to you–from what time you want breakfast to where–be it the cozy sitting room, outdoor sundeck, or your private terrace with terracotta-roof views.
3. Windstar, ItalyYes, the gigantic white sails on this sleek fleet are a marvel all their own. But you’re here to see Italy and this intimate cruise line gives you the most unique vantage from Capri to Sicily, Rome to the Amalfi Coast. We’re talking goose bump-inducing vistas, like floating down the Grand Canal past famed Venetian landmarks from the comfort of your deck lounger (rather than shoulder smashed to the crowds and pigeons in St. Mark’s Square). And whether you’re relaxing in a chic cabin on the new all-suite Star Breeze or dining al fresco as the sun sets into the shimmering Mediterranean, it’s molto bello as far as the eye can see.
4. Leone Blu, FlorenceSure, you can museum-hop your way through art-drenched Florence. But why stop there? At the just-opened Leone Blu, a circa 1474 palace that’s still home to a baroness whose family were the original Florentine residents, you can sleep beneath masterpieces: 500-year-old wood-beamed ceilings with hand-painted floral motifs. And with nearly every room at this luxe 9-suite hotel having two floors or a loft, you can get up close to these high-vaulted beauts (and blow your mind imagining all the historic folks who laid eyes on them). If you can tear your peeps away, the entire palazzo has been flawlessly restored with a wild combo of 15th century and high-end modernist decor: like Mondrian-hued glass staircases next to antique wooden dining chairs and an ancient stovetop. Also picture-perfect: Arno river and Piazza Goldoni views out the window.
5. Villa La Massa, TuscanyThere’s no denying the beauty of Tuscany–and this 37-room oasis sandwiched between Florence and Chianti delivers emerald hillside and vineyard views in high voltage. Enjoy it poolside from a chaise dotting the impeccably manicured lawns; strolling the 22-acre grounds of olive and lemon groves; or breakfasting along the banks of the Arno. If that’s not storybook enough, the estate dates back to 16thcentury nobility and feels like a living castle with crests and swords, suits of armor and Renaissance masterpieces at every turn. And the rooms? Expect frescoed ceilings, marble baths, and lavish four-poster beds fit for kings. Use it as a base for Tuscan winetasting or stay put for the royal head-to-toe treatment in the newly-opened underground spa complete with Turkish baths and a hydro-massage Roman pool.
6. Hotel Corona D’Oro, BolognaRed- and orange-hued palazzos. Endless colonnaded porticos. Medieval piazzas. Bologna is undeniably beautiful and the quaint Hotel Corona D’Oro only steeps you further into the city’s distinct and colorful charm. Hidden away on a quiet, brick-paved side street off the historic center, this once 15th century aristocratic residence oozes old-world Italian romance from its light-flooded lobby with marble columns, terrazzo floors, and cathedral glass ceiling, to rooms with original architectural details and elegant, classic decor. Snag a suite with a balcony and your French doors will open to blissful views of the courtyard or stone tower. It’s the ideal spot to savor Bologna’s slow-paced vibe and local picnic eats like Grana Padano cheese and fresh salami from nearby deli fave Tamburini. In the evening, don’t miss the hotel’s happy hour aperitifs complimented by a delicious spread of regional delights.
