Under the bright Tuscan sun, the traveler from afar treads the paths once walked by the masters, pushes open the exquisite yet solid door at the corner of the street, and steps into an ancient residence that has stood for centuries, finding themselves immersed in a space as vivid as a painting. Whether resting or feasting, or quietly observing the everevolving yet eternally constant scenery of life throughout the city, full of vitality and motion. This charm that blends the ancient with the contemporary is the gift that IL Tornabuoni Hotel in Florence offers to its guests today.

When people speak of Florence, the keyword is undoubtedly the Renaissance. In that prosperous citystate of yesteryear, the flourishing trade continuously nourished the development of art and humanities, until its power accumulated enough to sweep away the long oppression of the Middle Ages. In the name of revival, it inspired an appreciation of human value and the exploration of nearby beauty. At IL Tornabuoni Hotel, guests‘ perception of the Renaissance begins with sight and touches upon more senses.

The hotel is named after the street where it is located, Tornobuoni, which is the heart of the old city of Florence, just a stone‘s throw away from famous landmarks such as the Old Bridge, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Its building dates back to the 13th century and is one of the most wellknown historical sites in the city. On this historic and elegant street, lined with famous shops, the hardness of the bricks and stones has long been washed away by time, revealing a warm texture, with a modest yet dignified demeanor. Upon entering the hotel, the rounded lines and harmonious proportions create an antique tone, with light and color blooming to catch the eye. Rivet elements pay tribute to the longstanding tradition of craftsmanship, and the meticulously depicted patterns of flora and fauna bring a breath of natural air to the city center. The chandeliers are also quite special: polyhedra encased in transparent bubbles, combining classical temperament with a cool futuristic sense, with abstract charm cleverly contrasting with other realisticstyle interiors, adding a touch of agility and mystery to the entire space.

The hotel‘s 62 rooms and suites, with their exquisite and balanced proportions, exude an intriguing beauty, which is one of the quintessential spirits of classical aesthetics. Further outlined and highlighted by brilliant golden lines and surfaces, each room resembles a painting that has been carefully composed and framed.

The design and decoration of the rooms recreate the splendor of a great era, and the names of the suites reflect a series of significant figures, infusing Florence‘s pride in its history into the finest details, providing guests with more opportunities to indulge in reverie. The ruler‘s magnificence of ”Lorenzo the Magnificent”, the maternal tenderness of ”Lucrezia” and the melancholic elegance of Dante‘s muse ”Beatrice”. The phrases from historical records, through the unique interpretation of the space, have taken on a personified and amiable visage. The rooms are no longer just a place to stay on a journey but have transformed into magical passages that invite one to travel through time and space. Immersed in this meticulous retro atmosphere that emanates from within, it suddenly dawns: history is not a stranger and it has always been interconnected with reality, following the most fundamental human values and emotions. Open the window to listen to the melodious music from the small square; or step onto the terrace to overlook the solidification and flow of time in the ancient city. At this moment, are these singing youths so different from Romeo and Juliet

The Renaissance ideology emphasized a focus on the secular world, leading people to shift their attention from the worship of gods to the true essence of life, making cuisine a focal point, especially in a country like Italy that takes pride in its delicious food. IL Tornabuoni boasts five dining spaces, always ready to enrich guests‘ Florence journeys from a culinary perspective. Start the morning with pickled vegetables and fresh seafood to invigorate the appetite, indulge in the bittersweet, delicate and smooth tiramisu at the coffee bar in the afternoon, watch the old alleys turn golden in the sunset on the Butterfly Terrace to the sound of jazz in the evening, and then invite a few close friends to explore the rich wine cellar in the ”cave”, adding the intoxication and fantasy of Dionysus to the journey.

The main restaurant is named after the historical ruler of Florence, Lorenzo de‘ Medici, also known as ”Il Magnifico”. The hotel‘s executive chef, Simone Tarchi, sees cooking as a divine form of expression, with the products and stories of the land of Florence as his best source of inspiration. After receiving professional training in Rome, he gained initial career experience at the Michelinstarred restaurant Moma. Later, he returned to Florence, constantly exploring between local traditions and contemporary influences to find the perfect balance. Since October 2023, he has been in charge of the kitchen at the Tornabuoni Hotel, creating seasonal menus that are updated at least four times a year. Now, he compares his style to a ”sponge” absorbing all international trends on the basis of profound local culture, and reinterpreting Tuscan cuisine to the world with seasonal ingredients and local style. The rich and intense flavors, full of familial warmth, are sufficient to cross cultural barriers, reaching from the mouth to the heart.