This 15th-century palazzo surrounded by acres of terraced gardens and nestled in the hills of Fiesole is the most picturesque hideaway this side of Florence. At the Il Salviatino hotel, the feeling that you’ve somehow wandered into the setting of a Shakespeare play is blissful. Its white plaster facade oozes Old World charm and the front terrace captures the most commanding views of Florence.

Inside, the hotel interiors are just as impressive- think original frescoes that date back to the 19th century, sumptuous marble fireplaces and antique leather-bound books in a beautiful wood-paneled library. But the Il Salviatino is not all Renaissance splendor; there are touches of modern luxury too, from the luxurious spa with its double-level pool to the TVs in the 41 rooms that cleverly double as oversized mirrors. Away from the hustle and bustle of Florence, experience the romanticism of the Tuscany that writers Boccaccio, Marcel Proust and Frank Lloyd Wright were fans of.