Tuscan dreams at Villa San Michele
	view from Villa San Michele
	view of Tuscany from Villa San Michele
	Villa San Michele pool area
	Villa San Michele entrance

While world-famous Florence remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, the small town of Fiesole, just a few kilometres away, is still off the radar for mainstream travellers—which makes it all the more appealing to travellers in the know looking to escape from the mainstream.  Fiesole is famous among artistic circles and sophisticated travellers for its splendid setting, interesting attractions, and wonderful accommodation at Villa San Michele, a former monastery with stupendous views of the Florence cityscape and the Tuscan hills beyond.  Fiesole has long attracted the wealthiest stratum of Florentine society, who built elaborate villas set in splendid gardens from which to enjoy the scenery.

As part of the Orient-Express group, Villa San Michele offers the type of refined lodgings for which Orient-Express hotels are well known among discerning travellers.  Set on a hillside with rooms and suites both in the main building and in garden suites with private terraces, Villa San Michele offers a range of options for accommodation culminating in the Limonaia Suite, a private villa at the end of the property. 

Under the deft leadership of General Manager Marco Novella, Villa San Michele's staff excel in pleasing guests to optimal satisfaction.  From simple requests to major feats of logistics such as a private fireworks show for a birthday party, it is all taken care of with aplomb and a smile.

Naturally, this being Italy, food is a major draw, and the colonnaded The Loggia restaurant takes appreciation for fine dining to new heights.  The views from The Loggia are beautiful all day long as the light changes colour throughout the day.  There is also an outdoor restaurant adjacent to the swimming pool which sits at the highest point of the property.  On the first weekend of November, Villa San Michele will host a special two-day dining event that will serve as the culmination of Orient Express' special Dining With The Stars 2012 programme featuring some of Italy's top chefs who together have a galaxy of Michelin stars between them.  This feast of gourmet dining rotates among several of the extraordinary Orient-Express properties in Italy, including the gorgeous Hotel Caruso which will host its event in October, making the perfect start to a diner's tour of Italy that finishes at Villa San Michele.

The town of Fiesole is almost 3000 years old and makes an attractive base in this part of Tuscany.  An interesting archaeological site revealing the ancient Roman foundations under the modern town is an unexpected surprise in this quiet village set high on a hill covered in cypress trees.  The presence of the mysterious Etruscan civilisation is also evident at the Archaeological Museum; the Etruscans had a lasting effect on this central region of Italy where their irrigation techniques brought agricultural riches to a region now famous for its olives, almonds, hazelnuts, and many other food products. 

In addition to complimentary shuttle service to the centre of Florence to facilitate a dip into Florentine culture before a dip in the hotel's pool, Villa San Michele offers several excursions, including the chance to visit the famous Carrara quarry to see the source of the world's most coveted marble, though once ensconced in Vila San Michele, it may be hard to leave.  Insider's tours of Florence's Uffizi Galleries and Galleria dell'Accademia, where Michelangelo's David stands in his enigmatic glory, are also easily arranged.

Villa San Michele
Via Doccia 4
50014 Fiesole (FI)
Italy
tel:  +39 055 567 8200
villasanmichele.com