There are places where time seems to slow down, where history and beauty converge to create a setting so rare it feels almost suspended. For its first Italian address, Auberge Resorts Collection has chosen one of these places: a hilltop above Florence where a prestigious 19th-century college once thrived, beside an oak tree believed to be miraculous. With the opening of Collegio alla Querce this past March, Auberge has not only brought a new icon of luxury to Italy but also revived a heritage of culture, refinement, and quiet grandeur.
“Florence is one of Europe’s most historic and beloved cities,” says Christian Clerc, President and CEO of Auberge Resorts Collection. “ And Collegio alla Querce, with its unique character and heritage, is the perfect addition to our collection of extraordinary hotels.”
The history of Collegio alla Querce dates back to 1868, when it was founded as a Barnabite institution for the education of Florence’s young aristocrats and intellectuals. Over the decades, its mission expanded to include pioneering scientific pursuits, such as geodynamics and early radio studies, making it a beacon of knowledge and innovation. After closing in 2005, the property lay dormant, its corridors still lined with memories. Today, Auberge has transformed these walls into an extraordinary destination, carefully preserving traces of its past. Some artefacts and rare volumes still reside within the property, displayed like precious anecdotes of history for guests to encounter as they wander through the hallways.
Aelia: The Essence of Auberge Spa
At the heart of Collegio alla Querce lies Aelia, a sanctuary devoted to well-being. Immersed in the silence of terraced gardens, Aelia is a world apart, a place where body and mind are gently guided back into harmony. The rituals here are inspired by Tuscany itself: aromatic therapies drawn from olive groves, vineyards, and organic gardens, each treatment unfolding as a journey that nourishes not only the skin but also the soul.
Upon arrival, guests are welcomed into softly lit rooms painted in calming hues, invited to choose their preferred essence before surrendering to the intuitive gestures of expert therapists. Their hands move with an almost musical rhythm, amplifying the healing power of essential oils. In this atmosphere, one rediscovers intimacy with the self, as if Florence’s beauty had been distilled into a single, private ritual.
Furtuna Skin: A Farm-to-Face Philosophy
Aelia’s philosophy of holistic care is elevated further through its exclusive partnership with Furtuna Skin, an Italian brand rooted in the wild landscapes of Sicily. On the fertile grounds of La Furtuna estate, botanicals known as “survival plants” flourish—herbs and flowers that have adapted to the island’s extreme climates, from scorching days to freezing nights. This resilience translates into extraordinary potency: nutrients are concentrated, energy is intensified, and beauty is enhanced.
Hand-harvested and processed with organic methods, these botanicals become the foundation of Furtuna Skin’s high-performance treatments, which bring regenerative strength and Mediterranean spirit into Aelia’s signature rituals.
Guests may indulge in therapies that combine Tuscan traditions with Sicilian botanicals, savouring the profound nourishment of olive oil elixirs, herbal infusions, and revitalising masks. Post-treatment, the experience concludes with a tasting of extra-virgin olive oil, culminating in LXR12, a bespoke ingestible elixir bottled exclusively by Furtuna Skin for Collegio alla Querce.
It is more than skincare; it is a philosophy of beauty that is rooted in nature, elevated by science, and inspired by the Mediterranean art of longevity.
An Evening at Aelia Spa: Rituals of Connection
On September 5, Aelia Spa will open its doors for a curated evening of wellness—an intimate, immersive journey for those who long to pause and reconnect. The evening begins with a sunset yoga practice led by instructors from Florence’s renowned Studio Esse, known for their mindful and gentle techniques. As twilight deepens, the experience transitions into a Sound Bath, guided by Spa Manager Marta Borchi. She describes it as “a meditative, immersive journey designed to foster complete relaxation and inner peace,” where vibrations and resonance gently carry guests into stillness.
The evening will conclude with a light yet refined gastronomic offering created by Executive Chef Nicola Zamperetti: delicate bites and soft drinks conceived to harmonize with the energy of the night. This triad of movement, sound, and taste is set to become a sensorial choreography, a celebration of slowness and reconnection. Participation is limited, by reservation only, with each detail curated to ensure intimacy and presence.
The Art of Living Well
Collegio alla Querce is not simply a new resort in Florence. It is a statement about what luxury means today: an aesthetic of well-being, rooted in heritage yet alive with contemporary spirit. It invites guests to experience Florence not only through its art and architecture but through a deeper, more personal encounter—where wellness is elevated to ritual, beauty arises from resilience, and hospitality feels as natural as the Tuscan light at dusk. In every corner—whether it be the golden glow on the Duomo from the gardens, the soothing stillness of Aelia, or the whisper of history preserved in its halls—the resort tells a story of elegance reimagined. A beautiful reminder that the past can be transformed into a sanctuary for the present.
Images: Collegio alla Querce
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