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Surroundings
Il Palmerino’s location is perfectly suited to exploring the hills surrounding Florence and the Tuscan countryside at large. Whether walking, treking, or biking along narrow streets bordered by stone walls, or on trails through the woods and countryside, Il Palmerino is an escape into a natural world, in a setting that is permeated with history. Stand, as Leonardo da Vinci did, high over Florence in Montececeri, just beyond Il Palmerino’s back meadow, as he experimented with his flying machines in the early 1500s. Walk the paths Michelangelo took to Settignano, where he spent a large part of his childhood with a stonecutter’s family. History is preserved in this ephemeral place.
The ancient Etruscan town of Fiesole, with its well-maintained amphitheatre and other artifacts, provides breathtaking and beloved views of Florence, which is only a short distance away. Standing above it’s skyline, the Duomo seems just within reach, and the view’s lights and colours become indelibly etched in one’s heart and mind. Fiesole is also the site of the Villa la Torraccia, and the prestigious Fiesole Music School, which offers Sunday morning concerts, that are open to the public.
The beautiful village of Maiano, with its well known ‘Fattoria’ or agricultural estate, is a pleasant and invigorating walk from Il Palmerino. The daily organic farmers’ market features fresh local vegetables, cheeses, wines, extra virgin olive oils, and of course, homemade gelato. It is a perfect introduction to all things Tuscan. San Domenico, with its Convento and the Badia Fiesolana, is also home to the European University Institute, which sits in the hills above Florence. One of the largest universities in Florence, the EUI attracts graduate and post graduate students from around the world. The EUI’s recent purchase of Villa Salviati, one of the most storied in Florence, greatly expands its world-class facilities.
Also easily accessible from Il Palmerino is the Florence Sports Complex with an Olympic-sized public swimming pool, tennis courts, skateboard park, and jogging path. Il Palmerino’s neighborhood provides for all shopping and dining needs: supermarket, daily fresh vegetable market, stores selling wine, cheese, olive oils and other local foods, pizzerias, restaurants, bars, and enoteca (wine bars). We look forward to helping our guests make their trip to Il Palmerino and Florence, a truly memorable one and are happy to provide recommendations for museums, concerts, restaurants, shopping, outlets, and other places of local interest.
