When it comes to celebrating Valentine’s day most people reach for the usual things, like chocolate, flowers and a candle light dinner at home.
But as always Il Salviatino dares you to think bigger, welcoming you and your beloved one with a special Package valid from 11th to 19th of February. May that be a triumphant beginning to what will be an unforgettable romantic getaway.
This year’s St. Valentine Package includes, besides accommodation in De Luxe Room with breakfast “à la carte”, a romantic dinner for two and a 30 minutes couple massage.
Although it will be hard to want to leave the hotel even for a minute, we advise you to do so and explore the city of Florence which is on its own very romantic.
A golden sunset in Ponte Vecchio gazing at Arno river, a sip of Tuscan’s fine wine, and a quick stop in one of the top Florentine Chocolatiers could provide you lovely memories to treasure for a lifetime.
It is said that originally St. Valentine in Italy was celebrated by young lovers in ornamental gardens enjoying music and poetry reading. It could be pleasant to take a few hours of your time to visit Pitti’s Palace and stroll into the Boboli’s Gardens, to have a little taste of what this day could have been like so long ago.
Trusting your fine taste Il Salviatino welcomes you, with a glass of Champagne, to an Aphrodisiac Dinner for two to be served on the February 14th , with a tailored menu created by our Chef Carmine Caló.
As a guest in this 5 star hotel in Florence set your mind on simply enjoying with your Valentine the incomparable environment of Florence, the City of Renaissance.
Costume parades, joyful music, splendorous masks… Those are no more than just a few of the countless details that make Carnival in Tuscany simply magical.
This festivity usually takes place four Sundays before the Shrove Tuesday, in Italian “Martedi Graso”, and it is an event celebrated like no other, specially in Viareggio. A city located at a relatively short distance from Florence.
Begun in February 1873, Viareggio’s Carnival is considered worldwide to be one of the finest celebrations in all Italy, and its biggest assets are definitely the float parades displaying enormous figures made of papier-mâché, alongside 200 people dressed up in full costume.
Every year thousands of people from all over the world choose Viareggio as a Carnival destination, and many say the major reason to do so is the opportunity to enjoy the parade and see what theme they come up with each year.
Although dressing up in full costume is not strictly required most people choose to do so, while other prefer to keep it simple and just wear a “Burlamacco” mask or put on some fancy make-up. Whatever may the case be, what really matters is enjoying the party atmosphere.
Needless to say that no description could ever match the sensation of being there.
Il Salviatino will be keeping at your disposal a special carnival package, valid every weekend from the 4th of February to the 4th of March.
It includes, besides a 2 nights stay in De Luxe Double Room of our luxury hotel in Florence, a trip to Viareggio with Lunch for two. All of this to let you experience Tuscan’s Carnival at its best.
Anyone who has visited Florence knows why it is considered the most authentic and true jewel of Tuscany. Cultural center, historical and artistic heritage of Northern Italy, Florence has all the conditions to enjoy an unparalleled city around the world.
Dubbed as the “city of Stendhal syndrome”, originating from the shock the writer suffered as he witnessed the overwhelming beauty of Santa Croce church, the city’s great historical and artistic heritage makes the Tuscan capital the true cradle of Italian Renaissance. Its historical center was declared World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1982. A visit to the Santa Maria del Fiore Basilica, the Piazza della Signoria and its famous Palazzo Vecchio is a must, and not to mention, the Ponte Vecchio, one of the symbols of the city, must not be missed. We can also visit dozens of museums, such as the Galeria de la Academia, where the famous “David” of Michelangelo is located.
Santa Croce church, origin of Stendhal syndrome.
Florence is also an enigmatic city that has sheltered all kinds of legends throughout its history. For hundreds of years, Master Brunellschi kept his secret about how the dome of the Florence cathedral was being sustained, which can be seen practically from anywhere in the city. Florence also houses the tombs of masters such as Michelangelo and the fake tombstone of Galileo Galilei,which was actually buried in a chapel without public access.
Florence not only has artistic heritage but its festivals and popular traditions also make it a unique place in the region. The Maggiolata is one of the most important festivals of the year. It is a celebration to welcome the arrival of spring with dances, parades and a beautiful display of flowers in the city center. If arrival is in June, one can attend the famous event called “Calcio in Costume”, a football match done in medieval style on the feast of San Giovanni, or the Three Kings parade on January 6.
But whatever the travel season may be, Il Salviatino would like guests to enjoy their stay in this luxury hotel in Florence. Whether it is for a romantic getaway or honeymoon, a family time or for relaxation purposes, there is always an option available to make the visit to this city an unforgettable one.
Lastly, exploring Florence requires delving into each of its corners; slowly discovering its myriad of treasures. Relish the full experience in a 5 star hotel in Florence. It certainly is a feast for the senses.
We want to welcome to the season that transforms our environment into a special and magical place. Enjoy it at the best hotel in Florence.
There are few ways to start off the year better than by receiving the news that we have been chosen as Andrew Harper’s Hideaway of the year, one of the most prestigious accolades in the luxury travel market.
Andrew Harper Grand Award 2011 – Il Salviatino – Luxury Hotel in Florence
At Il Salviatino we are particularly proud of having received this “mystery guest” award and since we don’t know whom the reviewer was we would like to thank all the guests whom we have had the pleasure of hosting throughout 2010.
This award closes a very rewarding 2010 for our luxury hotel in Florence, Il Salviatino during which we have had the honor of receiving the following mentions:
Once again we would like to thank all our clients for constantly pushing us to raise the bar of our service higher and higher. You are our inspiration.
The ambassadors at il Salviatino are eager to arrange your visit to what The New York Times terms a “Must-See” and a once-in-a-lifetime affair. The exceptionally brilliant and innovative director of the Strozzi Museum in Florence, James Bradburne, has created the very first retrospective celebration of the works of Agnolo di Cosimo (Bronzino), 1503-1572, which spills out of the Palazzo Strozzi into almost every corner of Florence (September 24, 2010 – January 23, 2011). The city is alive with examples of and tributes to this prolific and influential artist. Some of the most recognizable of Bronzino’s works such as the profile portrait of Cosimo il Vecchio:
Bronzino Portrait of Cosimo il Vecchio
or the spectacular portrait of Eleonora of Toledo with her son:
Eleonora of Toledo with her Son Giovanni
and then Andrea Doria as Neptune:
Bronzino Portrait of Andrea Doria as Neptune
have long been icons of Italian Mannerist Paintings in the mid-1500’s.
One fascinating revelation in this powerful exhibit is the introduction after almost 300 years of a unique painting – a double-sided canvas – known as the Portrait of Dwarf Morgante. Disguised by moralists with over-painting as a Bacchus serving wine:
Nano Morgante disguised as Bacchus
It is being re-introduced, front and back (after restoration) as the fully nude, favorite court jester of the Medici family just like Bronzino painted it. Documented in an article by Rossella Lorenzi at Discovery News (http://news.discovery.com/history/naked-dwarf-revealed-again-in-painting.html), the dwarf Morgante was a favorite of Cosimo I de’ Medici, and records testify that he was often mortified, and even had to fight, naked, with a monkey.
Bronzino's original front and back as restored
The portrait was designed to stand in the center of a room like a statue. Bronzino was involved in a debate about which was the nobler art – painting or sculpture? He hoped this portrait would prove painting to be the higher art. It shows the passage of time, which a sculpture cannot do: i.e., the front view shows Morgante with the tools of a hunter, while the reverse depicts him at the end of the hunt holding his catch.
Members of Club Salviatino may receive special discounts and access to the exhibit at the Palazzo Strozzi as well as be eligible for a personal, guided tour of the significant works of Bronzino around Florence. Just ask an ambassador, or any staff member at il Salviatino, your 5 star hotel in Florence. We welcome everyone to Florence this fall for a once-in-a-lifetime experience – art by day; Devarana Spa in the evening; gourmet candlelight dining at night.
A Treasured Bronzino at Santa Croce
After art, relax at the spa, and later enjoy a superb dinner at Le Serre.
A dip under the Tuscan sun
Just a quick post to share with you some of the new photos of our long awaited pools. We hope you will agree that the final result was worth the wait!
The pools @ Il Salviatino
On June 22, Villa il Salviatino opened its gates to Stanford Alumni who were in town celebrating their 50th year of a study center in Florence. Approximately 400 people attended the official reunion, and about 150 of those came to the reception at Il Salviatino, by far the largest group to attend any of the optional activities planned for the celebration. Of course, most of the crowd attending the reception had lived at il Salviatino and were curious to see their former living and study quarters.
The first official symposium of the reunion was held in the Salone dei Cinquecento at the Palazzo Vecchio with a greeting from Florence’s mayor, Matteo Renzi, a key-note address by former university president, Gerhard Casper, and a panel discussion among former students at Stanford-in-Italy.
The first general meeting of Stanford's 50th reunion
Among a number of Stanford Alumni who stayed at il Salviatino were former Ambassador Ron Spogli and attorney Susan Adamson. Both were part of the first day’s panel discussion at the Palazzo Vecchio.
Attorney Susan Adamson chats with Mrs. Helen Bing, private sponsor of Stanford's Overseas Studies Program
Thanks to the generous invitation by Michael Brod, president of Club Tornabuoni, a select group of Stanford Alumni attendees were treated to a cocktail party and performance of operatic arias in the very room of the Palazzo Tornabuoni in Florence where the world’s first opera was written and performed in 1598. The acoustics were fantastic, the singing superb, and all of us in attendance experienced goose-bumps.
Private opera in the room of the first in 1598
The reception at il Salviatino on the evening of June 22, was a memory-filled event for most of those in attendance. Wine was served on the villa’s terrace along with Chef Sbaragli’s incomparable hors d’oeuvres, and everyone was able to enjoy tours of the villa.
The villa's terrace and the Chef's delights
The experience led many to recall their lives at il Salviatino. I had a long conversation with former president of Stanford, Gerhard Casper, who relaxed at the villa all afternoon, and the trips down memory lane with Professors David Kennedy and Philip Zimbardo gave life to old photos of the villa, and some fun guessing which rooms had been occupied by Professor Kennedy – even which closet had been the “room” of his daughter Bess when she was 4 or 5 years old.
Professor David Kennedy was able to identify his living quarters from over 30 years ago.
Professor Kennedy was also a member of the group that hung the BEAT CAL banner from the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and John Chladek’s group “borrowed” an Olympic banner and an Austrian flag from the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck to adorn the front of il Salviatino.
Banner times, but also nostalgic times from Stanford-in-Italy.
Reunions always conjure up dormant feelings, and among the Stanford Alumni, everyone who saw the Villa il Salviatino was awe-struck. Club Salviatino was delighted to have participated in reigniting so many fond memories for so many people, and hopes that everyone feels welcome to return here again anytime.
Il Salviatino nominated as Best Boutique Hotel in Italy 2010
Il Salviatino, Florence’s hottest new luxury hotel has received yet another important accolade. Following Il Salviatino’s inclusion in both the Conde Nast Traveller’s “Hot List” 2010 and Travel & Leisure’s “It List” 2010 which recognize the world’s best new hotels, Il Salviatino has also been nominated in the following categories for this year’s World Travel Awards:
* Europe’s Leading New Hotel
*Italy’s Leading Boutique Hotel
With Florence at its doorstep – Italian Gardens of Il Salviatino
With this nomination, Il Salviatino continues to consolidate its place in European Hospitality joining a select group of properties that include neighbor Villa San Michele and Lake Garda’s famous Villa Feltrinelli to name but a few.
The Europe Gala Ceremony for the World Travel Awards shall be at the Rixos Premium Belek in Antalya Turkey on October 1st 2010. For more information or to vote for Il Salviatino click here.
Lunch at La Terrazza
Florence’s latest Luxury Hotel, Il Salviatino has launched a stunning Half Board package for its select guests. It is called “Dine Around.” All Guest bookings made from the Junior Suite Category and above shall have a complimentary half board package for two included. Unlike tradtional half board packages, the Dine Around package offers a meal (lunch or dinner can be freely chosen daily) which guests can decide to enjoy in any of the wonderful restaurants on site or at some of Florence’s most renowned and popular restaurants. This is just another example of the “freedom is luxury” philosophy at Il Salviatino.
Chef Saverio Sbaragli at Il Salviatino
Il Salviatino’s star chef, Saverio Sbaragli states, “Nothing makes me happier than seeing our guests dine on property and seeing them return day after day. However in a city and a region with such a rich and varied gastronomic tradition we thought that it was only fair to offer our guests some amazing alternatives. On many occasions, guests may find dining in the city a risky business. We want to eliminate that risk and ensure that when they are not on property guests will still have an exceptional Tuscan experience”.
Some of the chosen partners of Il Salviatino are L’Antico Ristoro di’ Cambi, famous for its Fiorentina T-Bone steak and Olio and Convivium, a gastronomic atelier in the Palazzo Capponi.
For more information about the “Dine Around” package please call: 0039 055 904 1111 or write to info@salviatino.com
