The Italian Hospitality Collection has revealed that Bagni di Pisa, Tuscany, was chosen as the headquarters for a three-day event in Tuscany exploring Buddhist philosophy and psychology, led by his holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama.

The event was attended by practicing Buddhist, actor and humanitarian activist Richard Gere.

Both the Dalai Lama and Richard Gere were hosted at Bagni di Pisa spa hotel, Tuscany, throughout the three-day event which included a public talk by his holiness at the Piazza del Cavalieri in Pisa.

Filippo Scianna, director of the Lama Tzong Khapa Insitute of Tuscany, declared: “At Bagni di Pisa we found the ideal setting for hosting the Dalai Lama and his entourage.

“The hospitality offered to us by Italian Hospitality Collection reflects the values of serenity and kindness that the Dalai Lama expresses and spreads throughout the world. It was an extremely peaceful stay.”

Bagni di Pisa, part of Italian Hospitality Collection, is the 18th century summer residence of the Grand Duke Francesco Stefano of Lorena.

Immersed in the greenery of the Parco degli Ulivi the hotel has been brought back to its former splendour and the frescoed hallways, Tuscan terracotta and marbled floors evoke a time when visitors of yesteryear stayed.

The property lies above natural hot springs and its ancient thermal pools are renowned for their soothing and healing properties.