Immerse yourself in Italy’s artistic heritage with a stay in one of our private luxury villas. These properties are destinations – galleries, even – in their own right, adorned with rare pieces and ancient frescoes.
At Tuscany Now & More, our passion for art and architecture is rooted in the origins of the company itself. Founders Barbara and Simon met at art school, and with Barbara’s training as an architect, villas of artistic and architectural significance have always formed an important part of our collection.
Enjoy the rare experience of living in a converted noble estate designed by an eminent Renaissance architect, or stay in a former medieval church with frescoed ceilings and antique furnishings.
To elevate your stay, Tuscany and the surrounding regions offer a range of immersive art and heritage experiences. With the help of our complimentary concierge, enjoy private entry to the best museums in Florence, try an in-villa painting workshop, see the landscapes that inspired the Mona Lisa painting, and so much more.
A restored Venetian villa near the cultural riches of the Veneto region:
Ca' Fortebraccio
History lovers and art enthusiasts are bound to fall in love with Ca' Fortebraccio for its frescoed ceiling and antique interiors. Believed to be designed by Vincenzo Scamozzo – a pupil of the famous Andrea Palladio – this 16th-century Venetian Villa offers a treasure trove of artwork and selected antique furnishings to marvel at.
The grand entrance sets the tone, adorned with original Giambattista Tiepolo frescoes, where illustrious tales of Hercules bedeck the interior. Throughout the villa, lofty beamed ceilings are adorned with Murano chandeliers, while carefully restored terracotta tiles nod to the property’s opulent heritage.
On top of all that, our award-winning concierge can curate an experiential itinerary that can be customised to suit your interests, ranging from a goldsmithing workshop in Vicenza, walking tours with a professional guide, private entry to the best museums and more.
What’s nearby? Ca' Fortebraccio’s is just 27km away from the Renaissance centre of Vicenza, which is home to Andrea Palladio’s most important works, including the Teatro Olimpico and La Rotonda.
A decadent 16th-century villa fit for Venetian nobility: Ca' di Lista
Enjoy the rare experience of living like a true Venetian noble at Ca’ di Lista in Veneto. Dating back to the 16th century, the property was designed as a hunting lodge by Dario Variotari, a Renaissance architect, painter and apprentice of Veronese.
The owners of Ca' di Lista, the Emo Capodilista family, can trace their lineage to the origins of Venice. The city’s rich artistic heritage can be felt in every frescoed loggia and trompe-l’œil wall of the villa. The frescoes alone are fascinating, steeped in illustrious stories with deep connections to nearby Padua, worthy of a walking tour with a local guide.
A monumental frescoed staircase depicting the allegory of life leads on to a fresco series by the Greek painter, Antonio Vassillacchi (also called L'Aliense) and Eliodoro Forbicini.
What’s nearby? Ca’ di Lista is within close proximity to Veneto’s world-class cities, including Venice and Padua, where you’ll find a brilliant fresco series by Giotto in the Scrovegni Chapel alongside other important Italian artworks. In 1864, Leonardo Emo Capodilista donated an extensive collection of artworks to Padua, a gift that solidified the city’s artistic heritage and identity.
Of the 543 donated artworks, several are recognised as masterpieces and are housed across Padua’s museums and historic buildings, including the Museo d’Arte Medievale e Moderno. Among them is Donatello’s Renaissance wooden horse, preserved in the Palazzo della Ragione to this day.
Our award-winning concierge can also help with organising gallery visits and an immersive art-focused itinerary that’s completely unique.
A sprawling Renaissance villa steeped in Italianate grandeur and history: Villa Tinaccio
This Renaissance villa near Florence is stately but unpretentious, with interiors that are simple and refined. Having remained in the same family since 1428, you can expect original features in every corner, from ancient terracotta floors and beamed ceilings to a lofty vaulted loggia that overlooks the gardens and vineyards.
Modern artwork and sculptures bedeck the indoor and outdoor spaces, sparking conversations or inviting moments of quiet contemplation. Set at the heart of a noble estate, Villa Tinaccio also offers exclusive access to exquisite Italianate gardens, punctuated with grassy terraces and views of the estate’s vineyards.
What’s nearby? Villa Tinaccio is ideally located to satisfy your art and culture fix. Our local concierge can arrange private access to the best museums such as the Uffizi, paired with enriching local experiences.
Try a sculpture-making workshop in Florence followed by wine tasting with a master sommelier or truffle hunting in the Chianti hills. Or you can return to Florence for the day to experience its world-class museums, squares and famous Duomo, before retreating to Villa Tinaccio.
An exquisite palazzo with painterly views of San Gemini and Umbria’s enchanting landscapes: Santi Terzi
Enjoy a rare opportunity to stay in the former home of Antonio Canova, Europe’s most celebrated neoclassical sculptor. This grand palazzo crowns the highest point of San Gemini in Umbria, a setting that once inspired one of Italy’s great artistic minds.
Inside, original features have been carefully restored, preserving its antique terracotta tiles, lofty beamed ceilings and exposed stone walls. A neutral colour palette and large windows give the space a calm and airy feel, with objets d’art scattered across its communal areas and many secluded corners.
What’s nearby? San Gemini’s museums and small art galleries are directly accessible from the palazzo itself. Step out along a cobbled pathway that descends from the eastern façade straight into the historic centre. Here you’ll find galleries, church collections and inspiring architecture.
Our Travel Concierge can organise entry to museums and enriching local experiences, such as truffle hunting and wine tasting in the Arnaldo Caprai vineyards.
A former church and wabi sabi masterpiece for lovers of minimalist design: Pieve di Ponsano
Channel your inner artist with a stay at this architectural masterpiece and former 12-century church. Set atop a private hilltop near San Gimignano, Pieve di Ponsano has been sensitively restored by architect Emanuel Gargano, taking inspiration from the legendary Axel Vervoordt.
Inside, a wabi-sabi design philosophy reflects the property’s deep connection to nature. Vervoordt’s signature simplicity is reflected in its clean lines, exposed stone and wooden beams. Peruse rare pieces that line the walls of your private villa, including bespoke artworks and furniture by the designer that are available for guests to collect.
What’s nearby? Nearby towns like San Gimignano and Colle di Val d’Elsa provide intimate art studios, contemporary galleries, local artisan workshops and charming medieval streets to explore.
Our award-winning concierge can also help with organising a wide variety of unique activities, including a trip to the Etruscan Museum and alabaster workshops in Volterra, just 30 minutes away from the villa. The Blaze cliffs are a must-see, offering the same vistas that inspired the background of Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’. Enhance your experience with a trip to Florence, where you can peruse the world-famous collections of the Galleria degli Uffizi in the after hours.
A spectacular luxury villa fit for Italian aristocracy with easy access to Venice and Verona: Villa Sigurtà
A magnificent fully staffed villa near Lake Garda and Verona, Villa Sigurtà offers the rare experience to live like an Italian aristocrat. This stately residence has welcomed an impressive roster of guests over the centuries, from Napoleon III to King Charles.
The villa itself is a treasure trove of art and design, with sumptuous frescoes and opulent Belle Epoque details. Inside, Baroque frescoes remain intact, including an impressive mural-painted staircase decorated with the Fall of Phaeton. Lavish communal spaces are decorated with trompe l’oeil interiors and sculptures by Tony Duquette.
What’s nearby? The villa is primely located for unearthing the region’s rich cultural heritage. Opera buffs should visit Verona for its wonderful opera nights.
Venice is a short drive away, where you can wander its photogenic canals, while nearby Vicenza showcases the elegance of Palladian architecture. Cremona has a rich musical heritage worth exploring and Padua’s fresco murals are a sight to behold.
To enhance your stay, the villa comes with complimentary concierge, ready to arrange everything from private museum tours of the Palazzo Maffei in Verona to bespoke painting classes at Locanda San Vigilio on Lake Garda, where Winston Churchill would go and paint watercolours.
Connect with our Villa Specialists
Our Villa Specialists are here to offer personal guidance and expert insight, helping you discover the perfect villa for an art-inspired escape.
From the moment you book, you'll enjoy access to our award-winning Concierge Service, ready to arrange everything from in-villa painting workshops to a bespoke, art-themed itinerary exploring Italy’s world-class galleries, museums and cultural treasures.