Few homes have such a perfect setting, but Villa San Michele's magic lies not only in its beauty, but in its personality.
It was the home of the Swedish doctor Axel Munthe, who immortalized its concept, construction, and his life there in The Story of San Michele.
The house and gardens surrounding it are filled with his personal collections, ranging from priceless archaeological artifacts -- Roman, Egyptian, and Etruscan antiquities - to 20th-century art.
The views from its gardens, framed by vine-draped pergolas and marble statues, are breathtaking.
