Tuscany Guide
My ultimate, in-depth travel guide to the best places to sleep and eat in my favourite region of Italy
Tuscany is undoubtedly one of my favourite regions of Italy - Puglia and Sicily are close seconds, but Tuscany has an undeniable pull that I consistently struggle to resist. Italy is the country that I’ve visited the most in my lifetime (throughout my childhood and since I was very little, we would travel as a family to Italy every year: a habit I have maintained throughout adulthood), and Tuscany is a region that I find myself returning to often. Maybe it's the unspoiled landscapes - towering cypress trees dotting the rolling hills - or the food native to the region (traditional Tuscan dishes are among my favourites)…whatever it is, there's something undeniably irresistible about this beautiful corner of Italy.
Below I’ve shared my favourite places to stay across the region, along with my favourite places to eat in Florence, Tuscany’s capital.
To stay:
This is one of the most romantic hotels I’ve ever stayed at. Set deep within Tuscany’s dramatic Val d’Orcia region - arguably the most beautiful part of the region thanks to its unspoilt landscapes - Monteverdi is a serene boutique hotel that spills across an ancient hilltop hamlet. There’s no distinction between the hotel and the medieval village it sits within: instead, buildings blend seamlessly into the peaceful surroundings, from the stone villas that house various bedrooms to fragrant lavender gardens and blossoming hedges that frame each building. Postcard-perfect views over the breathtaking landscape are spied from every angle, and the food at both of the hotel’s restaurants is outstanding. There’s a tranquil spa here too, featuring underground baths, plunge pool, and Finnish sauna. With just 30 rooms, there’s a warm, familial intimacy to the whole experience.
I’ve long been a fan of COMO Hotels for their thoughtful approach to wellness, and their Tuscany property is no exception to the rule, with the hotel’s expansive spa taking centre stage - complete with sauna and steam circuit, yoga and pilates studios, and fully kitted gym. Set within a beautifully restored ancient castello, the hotel pairs pared-back, contemporary interiors with the building’s original frescoed walls. The grounds are expansive, with manicured gardens perfect for wandering, and a serene outdoor pool. It’s the kind of place where wellness feels woven into every detail: quiet, restorative, and deeply luxurious.
Borgo Pignano is another boutique hotel that exudes romance, set across the expansive grounds of a former Etruscan village. The interiors lean toward a more traditional Tuscan aesthetic: think dark wood beams, rich terracotta hues, and antique furnishings. Food is a central focus of every stay here, with ingredients sourced from the estate’s organic gardens and the option to dine al fresco under the stars. But the real showstopper is the pool: carved directly into the limestone cliffside where an old quarry once was, it offers sweeping views of the rolling hills beyond.
