Relais Villa Olmo is a beautiful place to stay in Tuscany. It is only 20 minutes from Florence by car. The retreat is in the Chianti region. Green hills, olive trees, and vineyards are all around. The place mixes old Tuscan style with new comforts. You can relax, eat local food, or visit nearby towns. My name is Warren Driscoll. I am a travel writer with seven years of experience. I have stayed in villas in Ibiza, Saint-Tropez, and the French Alps. My trips to Tuscany help me share clear details about Relais Villa Olmo. This article tells you about the retreat’s history, rooms, food, activities, and places nearby.
History of the Retreat
Relais Villa Olmo started in the 15th century as a small village. It was a summer home for the Medici family, a famous group from Florence. The main house was a big mansion with stone walls. Today, the retreat keeps its old look. It has red tile roofs and thick stone walls. But it also has modern things like Wi-Fi and air conditioning. The old olive mill still makes oil. The wine cellar makes tasty wines. This history makes the place feel like a step back in time. You can feel the old stories in the walls. I have stayed in old villas across Europe. This history makes Relais Villa Olmo very special.
Where It Is and How to Get There
Relais Villa Olmo is in Impruneta. This small town is 10 kilometers from Florence. You can get there easily by car or bus. From Florence, drive 20 minutes on the A1 road or Via Cassia. A bus leaves Florence’s main station every 30 minutes. It stops 50 meters from the retreat. Florence’s airport is 15 kilometers away. Pisa’s airport is 80 kilometers away. Impruneta has shops and small places to eat just a short walk away. This makes the retreat great for both quiet nature and city trips. I have visited far-away luxury spots, like chalets in the Alps. A good location like this makes your trip much better.
Driving to the Retreat
To drive to Relais Villa Olmo, take the Firenze Certosa exit from the A1 road. Follow signs to Tavarnuzze, then Impruneta. Look for a small dirt path on the right. It has a sign for Relais Villa Olmo. Drive slowly on the path. The retreat has free parking. This is nice if you want to explore Tuscany by car.
Rooms and Villas
Relais Villa Olmo has many places to stay. You can choose small rooms or big villas. All have a Tuscan look with stone walls, wood beams, and red tile floors. They also have modern things like air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and TVs. Bathrooms have marble and nice soaps. Small rooms are good for one or two people. They have private doors and cozy spaces. Garden suites are bigger. They have a bedroom, a living area, and a private garden with hill views. Family suites have two bedrooms and one or two bathrooms. They are great for families. Some have a living area. Private villas are the fanciest. A villa like Villa Rosa has two bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room, and a private pool. These are perfect for groups or people who want to be alone.
Villas with pools and gardens feel very special. I have stayed in Tuscan villas before. Private spaces make a trip feel extra fancy. All rooms are quiet. They use colors like red and green to match the Chianti hills. This makes the rooms feel warm and cozy.
Eating at Diadema Restaurant
Diadema Wine Bar & Restaurant is a big part of Relais Villa Olmo. It serves Tuscan food with a new style. The chef, Alessio Leporatti, uses food from the retreat’s garden or nearby farms. This is called “km 0” cooking. It means the food is very fresh. You can eat pasta with tomato and basil or grilled meats. The restaurant has a glass room for indoor meals. It also has an outdoor area for sunny days. You can eat in your room or villa garden if you want.
The retreat makes its own olive oil. It tastes rich and fresh. The wine list has Diadema wines. These are kept in oak or clay jars. I have eaten in many Tuscan restaurants. Local food and wine make meals very special. The restaurant also has cooking classes. You can learn to make pizza or gelato. These classes are fun and teach you real Tuscan skills.
Things to Do at the Retreat
Relais Villa Olmo has many fun things to do. You can try wine tastings or outdoor activities. One activity is visiting the winery. You can join a “Wine-Lab” with a wine expert named Serena. You mix your own wine. I tried this in Tuscany, and it’s very exciting. Another activity is tasting olive oil. The retreat’s old mill makes the oil. You learn how it’s made and how it tastes. If you like to move, you can try horseback riding, Vespa tours, or bike rides. There are also walking paths in the Chianti hills. These are great for people who love nature.
The staff can plan trips to nearby cities like Florence, Siena, or San Gimignano. These are less than an hour away. You can also visit local events. Impruneta has a Grape Festival in September. It shows real Tuscan life. The retreat has an outdoor pool with red tiles and hill views. It’s a calm place to rest. My travels show that these activities make a stay more fun and memorable.
Trends in Luxury Travel
Luxury travel in Tuscany has changed. Years ago, people stayed in simple farmhouses. Now, places like Relais Villa Olmo have fancy rooms and activities. I read about this in Travel + Leisure. People now want private villas with pools, like at this retreat. They like quiet stays. Guests also want fun activities, like making wine or cooking. Relais Villa Olmo offers these. Many travelers like fresh, local food. Diadema’s “km 0” menu uses nearby ingredients. Stays close to cities like Florence are popular. This retreat is perfect for both nature and city trips. My stays in Tuscan villas match these trends. This article talks about them to help travelers.
Why Relais Villa Olmo Is Special
Relais Villa Olmo mixes old history and new luxury. Its Medici past and stone buildings give it charm. The private villas with pools are modern and cozy. The Diadema restaurant uses local food for real Tuscan meals. Activities like wine-making and hiking connect you to Tuscany. The retreat is near Florence. This is great for quiet days and city visits. I have stayed in many luxury places. This mix makes Relais Villa Olmo different and special.
Tips for Visiting
To plan your stay, think about the best time to go. Spring, from April to May, has nice weather. Fall, from September to October, is also good. There are fewer people then. Winter is calm, but the retreat may close from January to March or November to December. Book early because villas fill up fast. TripAdvisor reviews say this too. Take the bus from Florence for an easy trip. Or rent a car to see more of Chianti. Visit Impruneta’s Thursday market for fresh food. The San Luca fair in October shows local life. Pack comfy shoes for walking. Bring a camera for the pretty views. My travels show these tips make your trip easy and fun.
Nearby Places to See
Relais Villa Olmo is a great spot to explore Tuscany. Florence is 10 kilometers away. It has famous places like the Uffizi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio bridge. Siena is 40 minutes by car. It has a big square called Piazza del Campo. San Gimignano is an hour away. It has tall towers. The Chianti area has vineyards near Greve. You can go on wine tours. Impruneta has a church and a weekend market. These show small-town life. My trips in Tuscany show that mixing city and country visits makes a great vacation.
Conclusion
Relais Villa Olmo is a wonderful place in Tuscany. It has old history, nice rooms, fresh food, and fun things to do. It is near Florence, so you can enjoy quiet hills and city sights. This guide comes from my travels and research. It helps you plan a great trip. Whether you want a private villa or a wine tasting, Relais Villa Olmo has it all. Share your travel ideas below to plan your Tuscan trip!
Disclaimer: This article shares my own travel experience and information about Relais Villa Olmo. Things like prices or services can change. Please check the official website for the latest details. I am not paid by or connected to Relais Villa Olmo. This is only for information.
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Warren Driscoll writes about luxury travel. He has over seven years of experience. Since 2018, he has stayed in private villas in Ibiza and Saint-Tropez, and chalets in the French Alps. Warren’s stories have been shared by Indvidual Magazine. He writes honest reviews and gives helpful tips to help people plan great holidays. He also shares his own photos and real experiences to make his advice clear and useful.