Verona may play second fiddle to Venice, but that doesn’t alter one jot the priceless historical appeal built up over more than a millennium as part of the Republic. Even better, there’s a monastery-gone-boutique within walking distance of Valerio Catullo Airport: Hotel Veronesi La Torre does a roaring trade in business travel, and it’s also a more than suitable base camp for exploring the nearby city center. Tweezer-level historical restorations are the rule in Italian hotels these days, and Veronesi is no exception. The 16th-century structure bears up remarkably well under its contemporary outerwear, an indomitably antique character showing through in the layout and tastefully accented via interior design. The 90 bedrooms and suites all leave room to stretch and unwind, balancing the weight of the stone and wooden beams with a bright, open ambience. Relax in earnest at any of the spa’s facilities — saltwater pool, Finnish sauna, jacuzzi, and chromo- or aromatherapy. On the one hand, today’s traveler finds their comforts anticipated with Simmons mattresses, terrycloth robes, flatscreens, and complimentary wi-fi; on the other, walnut flooring and Verona red marble pay tribute to the region’s timeless material quality. It’s more than just a staring contest with the floor, thankfully, because the furnishings are a design scavenger hunt in themselves. Names like Eames, Breur, and Le Corbusier make frequent and dramatic statements throughout. That respect for clean, strong lines also finds purchase in Torre 22, the bar and restaurant, where a custom seasonal menu pairs with playful cocktails, occasional live jazz, and Italy’s two foundational fluids: wine and espresso. How to get there: Hotel Veronesi La Torre is a 15-minute walk from Verona Villafranca Airport by way of Via Paolo Bembo and Via Calzoni.