“Dolce far niente” — “sweetness of doing nothing.” It’s a motto long emblematic of travel to Italy. But in recent years, trips to the country meant busy days at Fontelina on Capri. You might also find a stay at Hotel Il Pelicano booked a year out. Or, if you’re lucky, an open invite to Amal and George’s villa on Lake Como. And don’t get us wrong, there’s a time and place for the buzzy scene that’s defined recent summertime stays in Italy. However, for those who want the path less traveled, the rolling hills, the mountain peaks, and one of the largest alpine lakes in the country, here are five luxurious spots where the views will take your breath away. This time, these places will actually let you exhale. Welcome to the Italian countryside.
Hotel: Forestis Dolomites
Location: Dolomites, Bressanone, Italy
Start your trip up north. Surrounded by some of the most stunning and unobstructed naturescapes in the world, FORESTIS is perched on a mountaintop opposite the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site. This property was founded over 100 years ago by the Austrian Monarchy. The adults-only, 62-suite hideaway is devoted to the elements of the Dolomites: clear water, pure air, sunny days, mild climate. Embrace the FORESTIS Spa for treatments that blend nature and Celtic wisdom. In winter, you can ski-in, ski-out. In contrast, you can hike straight from your suite in summer. And don’t miss dinner at YERA, the property’s fine-dining restaurant tucked inside a mountain cave. Here, guests gather around a central fire for a live-cooked culinary ritual.
Hotel: Castello di Casole
Location: Tuscany, Casole d’Elsa, Italy
Meander to the Tuscan region of Italy. Surrounded by 4,200 acres of vineyards and olive groves in the rolling hills of Tuscany is the five-star Castello di Casole, a Belmond property in a stately 10th-century former castle. Originally owned by the noble Bargagli Family of Siena, the private estate is known for its high vantage point and views of the region. The 39 luxurious rooms and suites embrace a range of styles from more traditional Tuscan to contemporary. You can relax by the infinity pool overlooking the sweeping hills and valleys. Schedule a spa treatment at the Essere Spa hosted in ancient wine cellars. Also, you can roam the region in search of wine tastings and long meals in breathtaking settings.
Hotel: Borgo San Felice
Location: Castelnuovo Berardenga, Italy
Continue on your exploration of Tuscany. Venture into the hills of the Chianti region to visit a tiny hamlet or “borgo” called San Felice. This is the home of the five-star property, Borgo San Felice. A perfect size at 60 rooms and suites, the hotel spans the entire town while keeping its ancient history intact through its winding medieval streets, loggias, and central courtyards. Since the region is the home of the first Super Tuscan, naturally, a vineyard is at the epicenter of the property. But it continues to impress with two restaurants onsite, including one with a Michelin star, plus a spa, to lean further into relaxation. Therefore, it’s a place to unwind and enjoy the heart of Tuscany.
Hotel: Reschio
Location: Umbria-Tuscany, Tabaccaia di Reschio, Italy
A final stop to complete your Tuscany journey from west-to-east. Set on a 3,700-acre private estate in the Umbrian hills, Reschio is built around a meticulously reimagined, 1,000-year-old castle owned by the Bolza family. Each of its 36 rooms carries that same boutique-castle intimacy. Below ground, a subterranean Roman-style bathhouse offers one of the more unexpected luxuries in the Tuscan hills. Meanwhile, outside, a perfectly oval pool framed by trim-backed pine trees rounds out the estate’s quieter pleasures. This is a place built for staying put, the kind of property so complete, you may never make it past the gate.
Hotel: Villa Feltrinelli
Location: Lake Garda, Italy
Before heading back to Milan for your flight home, follow the western shore of Lake Garda to Villa Feltrinelli. Built in 1892 as the summer residence of the Feltrinelli family, one of Italy’s great industrial dynasties, this 20-room property is a study in restraint married to opulence: hand-painted fresco ceilings, rare antiques, and Venetian glass bedside lamps throughout. Spend afternoons swimming from a private boat on the lake. Then sit down at the property’s own two-Michelin-starred restaurant. Finally, finish the night over chess and cocktails at Bob’s Bar, an octagonal room with floor-to-ceiling lake views.
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FAQs
Q: When is the best time to visit?
A: Late spring (May–June) and early fall (September–October) hit the sweet spot across all three regions, with mild days and golden landscapes.
Q: Is Forestis Dolomites a family-friendly hotel?
A: No, Forestis is adults-only.
Q: Can I visit Reschio without staying overnight?
A: You can book lunch or dinner at Ristorante Alle Scuderie, but day guests aren’t given access to the hotel’s private common areas or pool.
