Hip, fresh, modern and in an ideal location at the foot of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy, the Hotel Continentale (part of the Lungarno collection) offers a sophisticated hotel address in the heart of the city. The design by Florentine architect Michele Bönan includes wood floors and pocket doors, along with cool touches like giant leaning mirrors, side tables made of clocks and handmade leather trunks that double as desks. Guestroom windows actually open, allowing you to enjoy the sounds of the Arno River below and the gentle bustle of the city. Inside, luxury touches include delicately scented Salvatore Ferragamo body care products with shaving cream, lip balm, soothing anti-aging masks and generously proportioned lotions, shampoos and rinses. Curtains surround the comfortable, deeply cushioned beds, while the chic, sophisticated use of cream tones, leather and wood create a serene ambience.

Excellent service is detailed and friendly. Follow the winding central stairway one floor up from the lobby to a lounge and dedicated meeting spaces with pops of brilliant color, comfortable seating and soothing lighting. On the lower level beneath the street, the White Iris Beauty Spa by Comfort Zone is a haven of wood and stone. A wide range of global treatments includes the Mediterranean Ritual Massage, Bagni di Pisa Mud therapy and Tibetan Sound Massage. Enjoy some artful dodging through the streets of Florence with a private shopping expedition that includes a stop at Fratelli Piccini, the oldest jewelry atelier on the Ponte Vecchio. Next, head to the Uffizi Gallery, where you can while away the day in the company of masterpieces created by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio and other luminaries from the world of art. To learn the secrets of the city or peruse the Uffizi collections with a knowledgeable art historian, book a bespoke tour with Audley Travel.