Italy has always held a special place in our heart. The beautiful landscapes, vibrantly historic cities and, of course, the delicious food makes it a very appealing place indeed! We recently had the opportunity to visit Tuscany, the region of Renaissance, for a spot of work and leisure.
After meeting with a supplier near Florence and wrapping up the business aspect with some very exciting news and products on the horizon (all we can say is WATCH THIS SPACE!), we decided to seize the moment and embark on a spontaneous adventure through this iconic region…
First stop – San Gimignano!
After landing in Pisa and attending our business meeting, we decided to drive to San Gimignano, which, as Culture Trip describes, should be on everybody’s bucket list for so many reasons:
“Italy is not short of pretty villages, impressive architecture and sublime artwork, but San Gimignano ticks all the boxes and then some. Wine and art lovers both flock to this small hilltop town, about 35mi (56km) south of Florence, coming for the astonishing array of medieval frescoes and staying for the fine vernaccia di San Gimignano white wine (according to High Renaissance maestro Michelangelo, this wine ‘kisses, leaks, bites, pricks and stings’ – make of that what you will).”
The heat was intense, with temperatures soaring to nearly 40°C, so we sought a refreshing spot for a cool dip. Our search led us to the Diborrato Waterfalls near Colle di Val d’Elsa – a perfect oasis to escape the heat.
A quintessentially Italian experience
Embracing the spontaneity of our trip, we hadn’t booked any hotels. We decided to find somewhere quintessentially Italian to stay and ended up at the private castle Castel Pietraio near Monteriggioni.
The experience was a delightful blend of history and hospitality. We were treated to a private tour and a wine tasting of their exclusive Fattoria di Castel Pietraio wines, which they only sell to private customers. The castle also produces its own olive oil, adding to the authentic Tuscan experience.
We dined at different places each night, exploring a variety of local cuisines. However, one restaurant stood out above the rest, making us eager to return, Bar dell’Orso. The food there was exceptional, leaving a lasting impression on us with its exquisite flavours and warm atmosphere. It quickly became a highlight of our culinary journey through Tuscany.
The road trip continues…
After our delightful stay at Castel Pietraio, our next stop was Siena. Due to the intense heat, we only stayed for about an hour and a half, but the city’s charm was unmistakable. We then discovered the quaint town of Montalcino, an enchanting place known for its rich history and stunning views.
From Montalcino, we embarked on one of Tuscany’s most picturesque drives through Val d’Orcia. This route is famous for its breathtaking scenery, including iconic spots like the Cipressi di San Quirico trees. We spent the night in the charming town of Pienza, which captivated us with its beauty and tranquillity.
Which epic movie was filmed here?
Did you guess? Yes, the famed Il Camino del Gladiatore is the iconic road featured in the movie Gladiator. The scenery was as spectacular as we had imagined, making it a memorable highlight of our trip.
We also visited the lovely towns of Monticchiello and Montepulciano, ancient gems that offer their own unique character and stunning landscapes. On our way back to Pisa, we made a stop at the Museo Piaggio, which was a fascinating experience.
The journey itself WAS the destination
While the intense heat that most of Europe experienced during these first few weeks of summer made it a little challenging to fully enjoy all the sights, it gave us an authentic taste of Tuscany and left us wanting more. We definitely plan to return when the weather is cooler to explore more comfortably and revisit some of the wonderful places detailed above.
As you probably already know, we’re no strangers to life on the road. But, this journey was different. It was about finding inspiration and experiencing Tuscany in an authentic, unfiltered way. Instead of relying on guidebooks or recommendations, we let our curiosity lead us, which we’d recommend to anyone! It was a refreshing change to slow down and wander without a plan, letting the allure of Tuscany’s landscapes and culture guide us to unexpected and delightful encounters.
We look forward to sharing more about our discoveries and the unique places we came across along the way. Stay tuned and follow us on Instagram for more stories from our Tuscan adventure and the most beautiful imagery.
