Viesca Toscana has always been a special place for the Ferragamo family. Owned by Salvatore and Wanda Ferragamo since 1952, it was a private retreat just outside of Florence where the couple could take their children to get away from the pace and demands of their working lives. It became a place of peace, togetherness and reflection, which still holds true today as a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
The property offers a peek behind the curtain at the family life that shaped one of Italy’s most celebrated fashion houses. Overseen by Vittoria Ferragamo, daughter of Salvatore and Wanda’s eldest son Ferruccio, it was important that the matriarch’s presence remain in all aspects of the property. Family photographs fill the rooms at Pian Rinaldi, while Villa Viesca, once the family’s private residence, still features original furnishings, cushions made with Ferragamo fabrics and a doorbell bearing the family name.
Aromas fill the air at the property, emanating from recipes Wanda created during her time there. The gardens are lush with a special rose variety that bear her name are still maintained by the same gardeners who cared for them alongside her until her passing in 2018. For the fashion lover, the Heritage Package, new to the hotel, connects a stay at Viesca with private visits in Florence where the immersive journey provides a deeper look into the Ferragamo world of elegance, craftsmanship and authentic Italian lifestyle.
“The Heritage Package was created to share the story of two closely connected worlds: Viesca Toscana and the House of Ferragamo,” Vittoria tells GRAZIA USA. “At the heart of this story is my grandmother [Wanda Ferragamo], a woman who brought together two seemingly different sides of her life: the determination and business vision with which she led the House after her husband’s passing, and her deep love for her family, the Tuscan countryside and its traditions.”
The experience introduces guests to a more personal side of the Ferragamo family, beginning in Florence with a private visit to Palazzo Feroni, Ferragamo’s headquarters since 1937, including rooms usually closed to the public. The package also features a guided tour of the Ferragamo Museum’s “Salvatore Ferragamo 1898–1960” exhibition and a private walk-through of the collections at the flagship boutique next door. After lunch at the family’s Il Borro Tuscan Bistro overlooking the Ponte Vecchio, guests return to the quiet of the Tuscan countryside at Viesca. There, a four-course dinner brings Wanda Ferragamo’s personal cookbook to life using fresh ingredients.
From visiting Viesca Toscana and having a deeper look into the family history, the hope is that guests take away a lasting impression and understand the values, passions and relationships that have shaped its history. As for Vittoria, “it’s hard to choose my favorite memories of Viesca because there are so many. Playing on the rocking horse with my cousins; the pizza nights and museum evenings were lovely, too. And when I stayed overnight, I loved being there in the early morning.”
Find more information about Viesca Toscana here.
