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Vip Tours | 1 | 2 | 3
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| PALAZZO
VECCHIETTI |
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| Florence - Italy |
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Merit - Extraordinary
July- 2009 |
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4
Stars & 5 Stripes
Overall - 'Hotel & Service' |
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The Ultimate Award:
Seven Stars and Stripes® |
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| Connections to Florence from Milan by train are
excellent, actually easy to reach from any major European city. It took us less
then three hours on one of the frequent high-speed trains to Santa Maria
Novella, the principle train station, located right in the center of Florence.
On a nice day, riding through Tuscany’s countryside is especially
priceless. We hopped off the train at Piazza Stazione right at the Santa Maria
Novella Church. Here under the blue Tuscan sun the driver of a limo town car
was expecting us and literally within minutes we arrived at our hotel, the Town
House Palazzo Vecchietti, in the very heart of Florence. Julius Caesar
originally established Florence in 59 BC as a settlement for his veteran
soldiers. Florentia, as he named it, was built in the style of an army camp
intersecting at the present day Piazza della Repubblica, the very place where
our hotel is located. |
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| Though situated in a limited traffic area, guests are
allowed to drive up to the hotel entrance by car. The rather unassuming main
entrance of the
Town
House Palazzo Vecchietti - (CLICK HERE for a closer look), hidden
amongst Chanel, Gucci and outdoor cafes, granted us access to one of the most
beautiful, small historic city hotels that I may recall. It was the intimacy of
the arrival area adjoining the courtyard and the incomparable décor of
our cozy-luxurious accommodations, that gave us the feeling of ‘coming
home’. |
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| The conversion or
revitalization of the historic building, which resulted in fourteen spacious
accommodations, has certainly added to its original character, but this
decorator had set the tone. My stunning suite 305 featured high ceilings, a
living and bedroom enveloped in relaxing blues, a fully functioning and
especially equipped mini kitchen and two equally luxurious bathrooms - besides
a private terrace overlooking rooftops and outside courtyard. Our
accommodations, Edmund resided in 306 (held in classy off-white and black),
were impeccable and with some minor adjustments this privately owned Town House
Palazzo Vecchietti itself has all the potential to reach ’World Level
Perfection’. |
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| In regards to service, the house butler was very nice,
when he was available, and his attention to detail was most of the time that of
a trained professional. We believe that the proprietors have the vision to work
out the shortcomings and that these should not be overrated since this team is
still operating in its infancy. A glorious breakfast was served in the
‘Living
Room’ (CLICK HERE for a closer look) where all guests sit at
his or her preferred time around a large dining table, caringly set with
exquisitely designed china by the Richard Ginori factory. |
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| We were delighted to get to
visit
the porcelain factory (CLICK HERE for a closer look) of Richard
Ginori later on. Here the delicate art of the Ginoris continues to live on
still today through traditional designs of ‘Tuscany’s
Countryside’, portrait through Italian Fruits and Amalfi and the Antique
Rose. These masterpieces were created by artists that work here since decades.
They often get to custom design the fine china for the estates of the wealthy
from all over the world, producing both classical and art nouveau
concepts. |
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In 1735, the Florentine
Marquis Carlo Ginori founded a porcelain factory on his estate in Doccia, near
Florence. Ginori's knowledge of minerals and chemistry, the discovery of clays
in the Tuscan Hills and his love for art, became his passion and he grew to be
the primary manufacturer for the Medici Court. We should mention that we
recognized many American visitors by their language all over Florence and later
on in our excursions through in the
picture
perfect hills of Tuscany (CLICK HERE for a closer look) and the
historic city of Siena that is said to be Italy's best-preserved medieval
town. |
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| Siena,
(CLICK HERE for a closer look) built over three hills and surrounded
by medieval walls, is brimming with Gothic and Romanesque architecture. We
visited the Piazza del Campo, famous for its shell-shape, and ever the focus of
city life. Within this square sits the Fonte Gaia, a unique quadrangular
fountain surrounded by historic figurines. We found out that the original, by
Jacopo della Quercia, is now preserved at Santa Maria della Scala. We admired
that the Torre del Mangia and the Palazzo Pubblico form that one perfect photo
spot at Piazza del Campo. |
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| The
tower (CLICK HERE for a closer look) built in 1848 and 102 meters
high must grant breathtaking views over Siena and the surrounding countryside.
‘Il Palio’, a horse race held circling the Piazza del Campo, is an
important part of Sienese’s history and culture, and only lasts less than
2 minutes. On the day of the Palio visitors from all over the world transform
the main piazza into a heaving sea of 27. 000 happy to witness this bi-annual
spectacular in midday’s often brutal summer heat. The more affluent will
pay for seats around the edge of the piazza, which are said to be sold out up
to eight months in advance. The impressions we took home from Tuscany’s
countryside can only be described as inerasable and captivating. The colors of
this cultivated land, created by its inhabitants, as it seems, are in perfect
synergy with nature. We are looking forward to return to Tuscany. |
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| 2009
Seven Stars and Stripers® Award-Hand-Out at the Palazzo
Vecchietti |
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by Thorsten & Edmund Buehrmann
Editor: Ingrid
Lemme
Editor-in-Chief: John Lomitola |
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| © 2009 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes,
Inc. |
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