Where Time Slows: One Week in Tuscany

After landing in Rome, we were greeted by a private driver and whisked off to Montepulciano — and honestly, it felt like something out of a movie. This little hilltop town is all cobblestone streets, ancient stone buildings and views that go on forever. It’s known for its wine (vino nobile is the local star), but what I really love is how peaceful it feels.

Take the afternoon to get settled, maybe wander a bit or just chill with a glass of wine. Then for dinner, you have to go to Osmosi. It’s tucked inside a boutique winery and the tasting menu is next-level — super thoughtful and beautifully done.

This was one of my favorite days. Fabrizio, who was our guide, is the kind of person who makes history actually fun. He took us around Montepulciano, shared all these great stories and introduced us to winemakers who are so passionate about what they do. We visited Poggio Grande and Innocenti (both amazing), but the highlight was this private lunch he set up in an olive grove. I’m talking wild boar sausage, tomatoes that taste like sunshine, fresh bread, olive oil from the trees around us — it was unreal.

Start your day with a slow breakfast (pastry and cappuccino is the move), then pack up and head to Chianti — the landscape here is just stunning. Once you get settled, you’ll head to Villa Bordoni for a cooking class that honestly felt like something out of a dream. We made focaccia, Tuscan beef stew, pasta from scratch... all while sipping wine and laughing the whole time. The chef was amazing — he kept things fun and hands-on without making it feel like school. Afterward, we wandered through the gardens with a glass of wine while dinner finished cooking.

This day felt like a storybook. We started in San Gimignano, a hilltop town that looks like it hasn’t changed in centuries — think stone towers, narrow alleyways and cute shops where you can grab gelato and wander. Then we drove through the Chianti countryside, stopping at wineries along the way. My favorite was Fattoria di Fugnano — it had the most breathtaking views, incredible reds and this peaceful, welcoming vibe that made you want to stay for hours.

It was hard to say goodbye to the countryside, but Florence made up for it quickly. After checking into the hotel, we hit the streets — window shopping, wandering through piazzas and strolling along the Arno. For drinks, we went to Angel Roofbar and watched the sun melt over the rooftops. Then we had the most incredible steak at Trattoria Dall’Oste. Florence just has this energy — romantic, creative and a little dramatic in the best way.

We squeezed a lot into our last full day, but it never felt rushed. A walking tour gave us the backstory on Florence’s art and architecture — seeing the David in real life was such a moment. Lunch was quick and delicious at I Fratellini (those paninis are worth the hype). The rest of the day was for soaking it all in: wandering little streets, sipping an Aperol Spritz, people-watching and trying to hold onto that vacation feeling. Dinner at Coquinarius was the perfect send-off — that pear and pecorino ravioli? Unreal.