Tucked down a cypress-lined street, Collegio alla Querce is perched on a hill offering the best views of the Duomo di Firenze and the famous terracotta tiled roofs of Florence’s Centro Storico, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As you enter the wrought iron gates and pass through marble lined hallways, find yourself also overlooking the tranquil hills of Tuscany where you can escape the crowds and embrace the best of two worlds. A former cultural institution and much-beloved boarding school, Collegio alla Querce is undergoing an extensive transformation to awaken the property’s storied and romantic history, dating back to the 16th century. A delight for design lovers and gourmands alike, three adjacent original buildings feature 83 rooms, an original chapel and theater, a library, a spa, two restaurants and a bar which was once the school’s principal’s office. Surrounded by old growth cyprus and soaring oak trees, a nod to Collegio alla Querce’s name, the resort’s grounds boast expansive lawns, four levels of terraced Baroque gardens, a pool and garden bar and restaurant. Come here for relaxation or adventure – and leave utterly enchanted.