Rediscover Favorite European Cities with Fine Hotels + Resorts®

Set across three Renaissance-era buildings high above the city, Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Collection was once a 16th-century boarding school, now beautifully restored with contemporary Italian design. Surrounded by cypress trees and terraced gardens, the estate offers sweeping views of the Duomo and the rolling Tuscan hills. Dining highlights regional flavors at La Gamella, while aperitivi unfold beneath olive trees at Café Focolare. It’s a serene perch, so close and yet removed from the hustle-bustle of the touristed historic center.

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With its Belle Époque facade, Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid has welcomed discerning travelers since 1910. Located beside the Prado Museum and near the Royal Botanical Gardens, the hotel offers easy access to Madrid’s cultural institutions. Rooms take some inspiration from the city’s artistic heritage while amenities include a heated indoor pool, a vitality pool, and a full-service spa. Multiple dining venues serve everything from afternoon tea to gourmet Spanish cuisine and classic cocktails.

Housed in a restored 19th-century building in Old Town, Rosewood Vienna is next door to St. Stephen’s Cathedral and other notable landmarks. Begin the day over pastries at Salon Aurelie, decorated with handpainted murals and inspired by Viennese coffeehouses. After exploring, return to Neue Hoheit Brasserie for authentic Austrian cuisine and carry on to rooftop bar THE1835 for refreshing variations on the Spritz and panoramic views of the twinkling city below.

Embodying the elegance and energy of Paris, Hôtel Plaza Athénée Paris has been a fixture of shop-lined Avenue Montaigne since 1913. It’s in strolling distance of the Champs-Élysées and, across the Seine, the Eiffel Tower. Rooms and suites are bedecked with touches of silk and brocade, curated art, and gleaming chandeliers. The hotel houses a Dior Spa, a Michelin one-star restaurant, and the illustrious Relais Plaza brasserie. Two lovely outdoor terraces open in the warmer months, including the Cour Jardin, a peaceful green oasis that transforms into an ice rink in winter.

Related: How to Make the Most of Your Trip to Paris

Baden-Baden may not be as common a stop for early-20-somethings, however it’s an idyllic destination for when you’re ready and able to indulge. This town in southwestern Germany near the French border has attracted wellness seekers to its thermal hot springs and baths since Roman times—and for more than 150 years, Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, Oetker Hotels has been the place to stay for restorative luxury. The recently renovated property features grand suites with libraries and private balconies, as well as a multi-level spa and wellbeing complex complete with a plunge pool, sauna, gym, and extensive treatments. Dining ranges from refined cuisine at Wintergarten to casual comfort food at Fritz & Felix.