Under the Tuscan Sun
Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007
Villia La Massa
On the banks of the Arno River, Villa la Massa offers luxury that seems a world away from the city. Seems a world away, but the resort is actually on a few miles from the center of Florence. As one of the Leading Hotels of the World, this resort offers a country experience in the midst of one of Europe’s most romantic cities. Situated in the rolling Tuscan hills, the hotel offers beautiful views of the Arno and the surrounding villages. The villa dates back to the age of the Medici (16th century) and was turned into a hotel in 1948. The hotel has 37 guest rooms all recently redone in a elegant Tuscan style.
The dining experience is wonderful, with local dishes and regional specialties. They also have an extensive wine list.
The villa is surrounded by a peach and olive orchard and offers nice, relaxing walks through the property. The property also has a heated swimming pool.
When we went to Villa la Massa, we were supposed to stay in Venice for another two days, but decided to move on to Florence earlier because of the bad weather and service in Venice. Villa la Massa was an excellent choice. We spent an extra two days there, with sun reflecting off the winding river and peace and quiet. Even though it is close to the city center (and therefore close to the museums and sites of Florence), it seems like it is out in the Tuscan countryside. The pool was not open when we were there, because it is only open in the summer months. Although we didn’t have the kids with us, the Villa offers many opportunities for kids including nearby horseback riding, the pool and baby-sitting services.
The Villa is rather pricey, it is well worth the expense. For a relaxing time close to Florence, Villa la Massa is a great choice.