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Palazzo Vecchietti
(CLICK HERE for a closer look)
Palazzo Vecchietti - Logo
PALAZZO VECCHIETTI
Florence - Italy
4 Stars & 5 Stripes
Merit - Extraordinary
July- 2009
4 Stars & 5 Stripes
Overall - 'Hotel & Service'
The Ultimate Award:
Seven Stars and Stripes®
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.
Palazzo Vecchietti - Suite
Palazzo Vecchietti - Suite (CLICK HERE for a closer look)
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’.
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’.
Palazzo Vecchietti - Suite
Palazzo Vecchietti - Suite (CLICK HERE for a closer look)
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.
Palazzo Vecchietti - Living Room
Palazzo Vecchietti - Living Room (CLICK HERE for a closer look)
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.
Palazzo Vecchietti - Excursion
Palazzo Vecchietti - Excursion (CLICK HERE for a closer look)
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.
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.
Palazzo Vecchietti - Siena - Excursion
Palazzo Vecchietti - Siena - Excursion - CLICK HERE for a closer look
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.
Palazzo Vecchietti - Award
2009 Seven Stars and Stripers® Award-Hand-Out at the Palazzo Vecchietti
by Thorsten & Edmund Buehrmann

Editor: Ingrid Lemme

Editor-in-Chief: John Lomitola
© 2009 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes, Inc.


 
 
 
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Disclaimer:

Although the above information was accurate at the time of publication, it can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all pertinent information with the companies in question before planning your trip.


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