A Visit To Tuscany: My Favorite Highlights

Our recent trip to Tuscany was a dream come true, and we’re still basking in the warmth of the Italian sunshine. We stayed in a stunning villa in Palaia, overlooking the rolling hills and mountains of Tuscany. The sound of church chimes waking us up each morning set the tone for a peaceful and beautiful stay. We took the train from Rome and arrived in Pontedera, a quaint little town with great boutiques and dining, then continued on to our villa.

Evening views from the villa

Florence: Art, culture & cuisine

We spent one day exploring Florence, where we indulged in the city’s rich art and culture. We visited the Galleria dell’Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s iconic David sculpture. For dinner, we headed to Trattoria Zaza, where we had homemade gnocchi and the must-have steak Florentine. We also dined at Trattoria 13 Gobbi, where the food was equally delicious with homemade pastas and appetizers that could have been coming right from my grandmother’s kitchen. One of the highlights of our time in Florence was strolling along the Arno River and visiting the charming carousel that made us feel like we were living in a fairytale.

Enjoying visiting Florence

Our chef making steak Florentine on the grill

A visit to Pisa

My son and husband spent the day in Pisa, they took a train, which was less than 20 minutes. They walked around the village, took pictures in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, had the best pizza of the entire stay, and visited the Baptistry, where they were able to witness singing and the incredible echoes created from the building.

Truffle hunting in Pisa

One of the highlights of our trip was a truffle hunting excursion in Pisa. We spent an afternoon at Savini Tartufii, where the Savini family has been hunting truffles since 1920. We jumped in a safari jeep for a ride in the mountains and then hiked with dogs through the rolling hills and forests, eventually uncovering a few prized truffles. The experience was followed by a four-course lunch, each course showcasing the truffles in a different way, paired with exceptional wines, including truffle ice cream. (Note: I do not even like truffles, but I loved the day!)

Truffle hunting

Wine tasting at Villa Cosmiana

We visited Villa Cosmiana, a winery that dates back to 1783. The owners, who took over in 2018 and come from England, learned from the former owner and have created a range of wines that showcase their creativity and expertise. We learned that there are strict requirements for Chianti Classico Riserva to be on specific soil in order to have that name. At this incredible villa and winery, they’ve put their own spin on Chianti, and it was delicious. They are now also winners in two international competitions. We then enjoyed a wine tasting and lunch on the estate. The grounds were stunning with endless gardens, and the people were friendly and welcoming. We also had wine sent home from here, and we will need to go back for more.

One of the gardens before lunch at Villa Cosmiana

The owner, Sean, with us after the tasting at Villa Cosmiana.

Private chef experience

One of the highlights of our trip was having a private chef cook for us at our villa. Over three nights, they prepared four-course meals that were consistently delicious and beautifully presented. The service was impeccable, and we felt like we were dining in a five-star restaurant but in the comfort of our own home. Their attention to detail and thoughtfulness did not go unnoticed—for example, while creating homemade breads and Italian charcuterie boards, knowing my son would have different needs, they also came every night with a separate dinner just for him. We cannot recommend this highly enough.

One of the many courses our private chef made

Private photography session

We also had the pleasure of having a private photographer capture the essence of our family's trip to Tuscany. She and her husband were delightful to work with, and their professionalism and creativity shone through in every photo. The experience of having our family's special moments captured in the beauty of our villa was truly unforgettable.

Photo credit: Samantha Pennini

Getting around

We traveled by train to Florence and took cabs for shorter journeys. Our villa was located in a secluded area, which added to its charm but also created the need for us to plan for taxis, which are not readily available in the area.

Tuscany, you have stolen our hearts. We can’t wait to return and explore more of your beauty, wine, and cuisine.

We did not rent a car, but if we had it to do over again, we would. That said, our taxi driver pulled into a little store in the middle of nowhere and came out with two jugs of homemade wine for us. The people could not have been friendlier.

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