Our story
Two childhood friends since the age of 5. One with a dream of over 40 years and the other with a kind and adventurous spirit who wished to support this dream. Both worldly travelers with a passion for Italy and a vision to share the undiscovered Tuscan countryside with others. Meet Michelle and Michèle.
A Villa viewing with the Proprietor of 93 years, and her mention of its historic name, Palazzo degli Angeli, brought tears of joy and needed peace, capturing and inspiring both our hearts. The palace was purchased that same day, with one friend, trusting the other, saying “yes”, sight unseen. With a move from California to Fivizzano, 4 months later, the chapters of this story began to unfold. Please join us in our home. We welcome you in friendship to celebrate the reality of this dream.
“It all began with a dream, ignited by passion, and blessed with friendship.”
Portraits of our journey
DECEMBER 2023
Following the removal of years of accumulated belongings and debris, Palazzo degli Angeli quietly revealed her timeless beauty. The piano terra, once home to four elderly adults, offered one bathroom and a tiny kitchen, while the piano primo stood silent. A weathered terrace leaked below, and the rooftop lay untouched, yet both embraced magnificent views over medieval Fivizzano and the valleys beyond. Here, the vision for an elegant restoration was born.
Palazzo prior to renovation
OCTOBER 2025
Beneath corners layered with white plaster, a treasured fresco awaited rediscovery. With extraordinary skill and patience, artist Susan recreated every intricate detail by hand, seamlessly matching the artistry of the original 19th-century masters. Each delicate brushstroke restored its timeless elegance, returning the ceiling to its former splendour. Today, the Archangel Michael & Lady Faith Bedroom offers a regal retreat, where history and luxury meet.
Focus on original fresco
DECEMBER 2025
No visit to Italy is complete without exploring the five enchanting villages that cling dramatically above the Mediterranean Sea. The Cinque Terre is a breathtaking tapestry of colour and coastal charm, now among Italy’s most celebrated destinations, and just over an hour from the Palace of Angels by train. In Vernazza, guests are warmly invited to greet our friends Paolo and Julia at Taverna del Capitano for a memorable seafood lunch, followed by a gelato from a nearby gelateria.
A day trip to the Cinque Terre
JANUARY 2026
Adorned with vintage wallpaper from Romania, and a Belgian grand chandelier, the Breakfast Room welcomes guests with timeless elegance. Antique tables and chairs grace the palazzo's original tiled floors, while cabinets display fine china, crystal, and silver, each with a story. Guests prepare their own espresso, cappuccino, or latte, before lingering over breakfast indoors or on the magnificent adjoining terrace, where morning light and sweeping views start their day.
La sala colazione, breakast anyone?
JANUARY 2026
Welcome to the Salon, an elegant sanctuary where guests unwind, share stories, and savour fine wines or artisanal liqueurs. Restored Louis XIV sofas, exquisitely upholstered by Antonio, complement a striking onyx coffee table acquired in Mexico over 40 years ago. The bespoke Honor Bar, crafted from a cabinet left by the palazzo's former owner, is enriched by treasured family heirlooms, each adding timeless character, warmth, and heritage.
Sit and sip an evening liqueur
FEBRUARY 2026
This bathroom, adjoining the Archangel Gabriel & Lady Hope bedroom beside the Italian angelic garden, is finished in white and gold marble, with exquisite vintage detailing and a view across the valley below. Inspired by Venetian elegance, it complements the adjoining bedroom, where a gilded queen-size bed from Verona is draped majestically at the headboard. Guests enjoy private access to the serene communal garden.
A touch of Venice
MARCH 2026
Finding vintage treasures at Lucca’s antique market
The walled city of Lucca is a treasure, made even more enchanting on its celebrated antique market days. Wander its charming lanes in search of timeless vintage finds, each with a story to tell. Many of the palazzo’s treasured pieces were discovered here and now grace its rooms for guests to enjoy. Pause to savour the city's inviting cafés and restaurants, where fine food, refreshing beverages, and Italian hospitality complete a memorable day.
MARCH 2026
The Palace’s front door, believed to be the original of 1845, has been lovingly restored by Tommaso’s masterful hands, becoming a striking and welcoming entrance. Over an 18-month period, he also meticulously revived the 19 interior doors, each reflecting his exceptional skill devotion, and passion to his craft. Together, they open into a world of historic elegance, where every threshold becomes a passage into the refined luxury of a bygone era, welcoming guests from around the world.
The Palazzo’s welcoming doors
MAY 2026
Enter this idyllic garden and linger in its serene, inspiring surroundings. Sip coffee, tea, or a glass of wine as your gaze drifts across distant views, embracing the quiet beauty of this extraordinary corner of Italy. A place for reflection and gratitude, where land and light meet in harmony.The fountain and cherub statues, once journeying from Italy to California, now return home. Treasured pieces from Michèle’s mother, Vivian, complete this personal sanctuary. Listen: Angels may be singing.
An italian garden, inspired by angels
JUNE 2026
After a delightful dinner of fresh gnocchi and local red wine, the terrace glows softly in the fading light. As night approaches, fireflies drift and the sweeping views fall into calm stillness. Though it is Saturday evening, only distant laughter rises from the nearby bar, only a 4-minute walk away. The vast terrace currently seats twenty, at its iron and Travertine vintage tables, and welcomes solo travelers, couples, and small groups alike to share in the beauty of Lunigiana’s starry skies.
21:00 A view from the terrace
JUNE 2026
Palazzo following renovation and ready to open her doors
After nearly two years of grand passion and meticulous restoration, Palazzo degli Angeli has been transformed into an elegant guest residence celebrating timeless European design. Five individually curated ensuite bedrooms, a salon, reception, breakfast room, garden, and terraces reflect exceptional craftsmanship and care. Nestled in authentic and traditional Fivizzano, known as "Little Florence," the palazzo offers a distinctive blend of Florentine elegance, heritage, and understated luxury.