In residence at the aristocrat’s home for the summer of 1638 , Milton penned the beginnings of his masterwork, Paradise Lost. Today, his sanctum and source of inspiration can be enjoyed by those with a penchant for literary travel . . .
Just about a century after the denizens of Florence welcomed their deliverance from the Dark Ages, when the city was well entrenched in the lofty Renaissance, English poet John Milton went on a grand tour of Europe. He stopped in Florence, wowed by the cultured city’s Renaissance wave of artistic awareness. Its creative buzz inspired him, and he yearned to linger. He found sanctuary in an aristocrat’s palace. Ever dreaming, he gobbled up the rampant aura of inventiveness around him, joining in the rediscovery of classical aesthetics and philosophies—as well as the experimentation of new techniques that defined Florence so profusely at that time. In residence at the aristocrat’s home for the summer of 1638 , Milton penned the beginnings of his masterwork, Paradise Lost. Today, his sanctum and source of inspiration can be enjoyed by those with a penchant for literary travel at one of the two side-by-side, noble 17th-century palaces that together, interconnected architecturally, compose Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi Firenze Hotel. The elegant, boutique-y, five star experience lies a short walk from most of the city’s top touristic sites, including the Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery. Channel your inner Milton at the hotel’s Milton Bar, set in the lobby. With books and a formidable fireplace, it makes for a cozy place to escape the crowds with a libation or light bites for lunch or dinner.
More About the Hotel
Created from the amalgamation of two painstakingly refurbished 16th-century palaces, the graceful hotel lies around the corner from the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. But head upstairs to the rooftop bar for jaw dropping cityscape views that include Florence’s grand marquee attraction: the Duomo. Redone with period flourishes, but kitted out with contemporary elan, Palazzo Gaddi boasts spellbinding frescoes, period artwork and original architectural details.
Choose from 86 rooms including 8 suites, woven into six stories. Imbued with original elements and top tier amenities, all rooms frame atmospheric views, with many highlighting the Duomo. The stunning Presidential Suite, accessed by private elevator, features a captivating terrace, prime for celebrating day’s end with an Aperol Spritz in hand.
There’s not a bad meal to be found in Florence, but some restaurants shouldn’t be missed. Such a hotspot is Terrae,the hotel’s equivalent of a date night eatery. Under the direction of Chef Iside de Cesare, of the Michelin-starred restaurant La Parolina in Trevinano, and Chef Salvatore Canargui, Terrae puts out clean, authentic dishes, emblematic of the region’s bounty from risotto with black chanterelles to roasted lamb with preserved lemon and sardines. Its location in the palazzo’s airy Secret Garden adds to the romance. Begin the evening with a glass of Prosecco at the Aria Rooftop Bar.
Tivoli hotels pride themselves on being the portal that leads to immersive local experiences for guests. Whether cooking classes with the chef, market and shopping tours, VIP museum time, wine tastings or a bird’s eye look at Tuscany by helicopter, hotel’s unique adventures unveil new layers of Florence even for return visitors. Visit for a noble adventure.
