Autumn in Tuscany with Belmond

THE SLOW SEASON: AUTUMN IN TUSCANY WITH BELMOND 

Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence extends its season for the first time while Castello di Casole, A Belmond Hotel, Tuscany, continues to celebrate the region's slower rhythms 

For the first time in its history, Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence, the legendary former Renaissance convent nestled in the hills of Fiesole above Florence, will remain open throughout autumn and the festive season, welcoming guests until 3 January 2027.

Belmond announces an extended opening season at its two Tuscan properties, inviting guests to experience the region at its most authentic and unhurried. For the first time in its history, Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence, the legendary former Renaissance convent nestled in the hills of Fiesole above Florence, will remain open throughout autumn and the festive season, welcoming guests until 3 January 2027. Meanwhile, Castello di Casole, A Belmond Hotel, Tuscany, the 10th-century countryside estate in the heart of Tuscany, will extend its season until 29 November. Belmond invites travellers to embrace a slower pace of travel and discover Tuscany through the lens of its signature philosophy: Slow Luxury. 

VILLA SAN MICHELE: AUTUMN ABOVE FLORENCE 

Throughout autumn, the recently restored Villa San Michele opens Florence and its surrounds to guests through a curated Masters of Savoir Faire programme, celebrating the region's cultural heritage and time-honoured craft traditions. Guests can connect with the city's artisans, artists, and cultural custodians through a series of exclusive experiences. From private visits to historic ateliers to encounters with the masters of Florentine craftsmanship, each experience offers an authentic insight into the city's enduring creative legacy. Back at the Villa, wellbeing and reconnection take centre stage. The Spa by Guerlain offers restorative treatments inspired by the property's Renaissance heritage and fragrant gardens, while the Energy Raising Programme, developed in partnership with Milan-based lifestyle brand La DoubleJ and its founder JJ Martin, encourages guests to embrace the season's slower rhythm and restorative spirit. Alongside a dedicated retreat taking place from 3–6 September and co-hosted by JJ Martin, weekly experiences include mindful movement sessions and guided walks through the golden woodlands surrounding Fiesole. Autumn's arrival is equally celebrated through the region's rich culinary traditions. At the heart of Villa San Michele's gastronomic offering is Antesi, the hotel's intimate fine dining restaurant led by Executive Chef Alessandro Cozzolino. Derived from the Greek anthesis, meaning “blossoming”, the concept is rooted in the belief that every ingredient has a precise moment when it reaches its fullest expression, celebrating seasonality, nature and the rhythms of the land. Guests can join Epicurean Circles: Meet the Producer, a series of immersive encounters with the growers and makers behind some of Tuscany's finest ingredients.  At Bar Doccia, mixology masterclasses, guest bartender residencies and curated music programming bring a vibrant energy to the aperitivo hour. 

CASTELLO DI CASOLE: A HOME FROM HOME IN TUSCANY 

An hour south of Florence, amidst the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside, Castello di Casole extends its season through 29 November, inviting guests to embrace autumn as a time for renewal and reflection. Set within 3,200 acres of unspoilt estate, the 10th-century retreat offers a holistic wellbeing journey at Essere Spa. Bespoke treatments and rituals are complemented by mindful movement, meditation, and sound healing experiences set against sweeping countryside vistas. Forest bathing and guided meditation hikes foster a deeper sense of grounding and connection as the landscape transforms with the colours of autumn. Belmond's philosophy of Slow Luxury runs through the season, from hiking, horseback riding and cycling across the estate to botanical workshops, truffle hunting, chestnut roasting in the Library, hands-on Tuscan cooking classes, and visits to the Etruscan Museum set in the heart of the village of Casole D'Elsa. Casole Club provides tennis, padel and pickleball courts, alongside personalised coaching programmes for guests of all abilities.  

Autumn also marks the most abundant season across the estate's vineyards, olive groves and kitchen gardens, providing inspiration for Executive Chef Daniele Sera's ingredient-led menus which evolve with the rhythms of the land and the ingredients harvested each week. Guests can discover the estate's culinary philosophy across its three distinct dining venues: Tosca, a contemporary interpretation of Tuscan fine dining inspired by the estate's landscape, Emporio del Castello, for authentic regional cuisine in a relaxed setting, and Bar Visconti which showcases the flavours of the estate through its signature Hortus Vitae cocktail collection, celebrating botanicals grown within the grounds. ...- Continue reading (Members Only) - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

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We recognize that numerous long-standing, senior-level members utilize these bulletins as conversation starters, reaching out to hotel chains and potential employers, sometimes with unsolicited applications and messages. LHN endorses such proactive engagement. It's an excellent, informal method to gain early interest from prominent hotel groups and upcoming projects, indicating your interest and broadening your opportunities for intriguing interviews or discussions about potential roles, particularly at the upper echelons of management.

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