FACT BOX
▼ abundant glasses of regional wine that were paired with it.
We spent some time in and around the hotel, which was completely beautiful and fascinating.
When it was the Duke’s home, literary figures such as Mary Shelley and Lord Byron visited and, to this day, it is popular with the well-known: Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder and the Dalai Lama are just a few famous guests to have stayed in the comforts of this stunning residence, sleeping under the detailed frescos on the ceilings that are still there today. I can now say that I too have slept underneath an original 18th Century work of art, just like the Dalai Lama!
Expect to be treated as exceptionally well as the five-star status would suggest, from the personal guided tour around the spa to the knowledgeable restaurant manager Francesco Cotza, who spent real time with us at dinner, poring over the delicious menu and helping us choose between the dishes, and the wines.
I feel like even though it’s well known, and much visited, tourists have yet to unlock Pisa’s true potential and, for me, that lies way beyond the Leaning Tower. Visit, and discover it for yourself. Nightly rates at Bagni di Pisa start from 150 per person per night in a Comfort room on a B&B basis. Rates also include wifi, access to spa, thermal pools and fitness facilities. Visit
Ryanair fly from Glasgow Prestwick to Pisa from £30 per person.