Villa Olmi Firenze

An 18th-century villa turned four-star-superior hotel, set in its own park and gardens in Bagno a Ripoli, about 4 km from the centre of Florence. You get a quiet countryside feel while being a short taxi or bus ride from the Duomo and the Uffizi.

Rooms are elegant and spread between the villa and its outbuildings. The hotel's restaurant, La Colonica, serves Tuscan food in an old farmhouse in the grounds, and there is an outdoor pool for the hot summer months. Parking is on site, which is a big plus near Florence, where driving into the centre is restricted.