Tuscany: La Dolce Vita

Meet in the morning in Florence before we head south for a lovely drive through breathtaking landscapes and hilltop villages to the spa town of Saturnia for our two-day stay at the 5-star Tuscan wellness resort of Terme di Saturnia. Originally developed in the 4th century BC by the Etruscan civilization, Saturnia became a Roman colony in 183 A.D. - the attraction being the town’s pristine medicinal hot springs.

Upon arriving at the resort you’ll have free time to relax and take advantage of the options for treatments at the spa, soak in the therapeutic hot springs, or wander the streets of the tiny hilltop old town. A welcome dinner at the resort will be provided on the first night.

The Terme di Saturnia Spa Hotel is based on the town’s famed hot springs, which flow southward underground from the 5700-foot lava dome peak of Mount Amiata for 40 years before emerging in cascading waterfalls like nowhere else on earth. The mineral-rich springs of the Terme have long been coveted for their healing properties, thought to nourish the skin, improve circulation, and even aid in the healing of various ailments.

The time at the spa is yours to spend as you wish, with morning yoga sessions, massages, and other personal treatments available. Or just relax at the resort’s private thermal pools. Our staff is available to make individual arrangements for exploration, to take guests to soak in the springs of Cascate del Mulino just around the corner, or to explore the village for shopping or an authentic Tuscan meal. Hikes, golfing, and bicycle rides are also available to mindfully engage in all this region has to offer.

You can enjoy one last morning treatment or yoga session at the spa before departing the resort. We venture east to our private Tuscan villa, located 30km southeast of Siena, near the ancient hilltop village of Asciano. After savoring lunch at the Osteria Delle Crete in San Giovanni d'Asso, we continue on to the villa. Originally constructed in the 19th century, our luxury villa offers stunning views of the Tuscan countryside, vast secluded gardens, and many other amenities for you to enjoy during your stay.

Upon arrival, you’ll have time to relax and unwind at the villa. Spend your afternoon enjoying a massage from our massage therapist, journaling by the pool, or admiring the views of the Tuscan countryside. Our first evening at the villa is celebrated with an al fresco dining and wine experience.

Start your day grounded with a morning yoga session by the pool and a delightful breakfast before traveling into the famed medieval town of Montepulciano. As with most days, guests may opt out of the travel excursion in favor of additional yoga and meditation, or personal exploration and relaxation within the villa’s lovely grounds.

Set on a 2,000- foot limestone ridge overlooking the verdant fields, vineyards, and olive groves of the Val d'Orcia and Val di Chiana, Montepulciano is legendary for its cheeses, honey, pasta, and Vino Nobile wine. The best way to truly absorb the village is to traverse it on foot, and we’ll stroll both the main thoroughfares and the surrounding cobblestone paths, our professional local guide revealing subtle insights into the food, wine, culture, and history. These details of the Tuscan local life help us understand the nuances of this region and its people, and immerse ourselves in their ways and pace of life.

After exploring the city, we embark on a private tour of the De’Ricci wine cellar. Venture into the depths of the ancient Ricci Palace, dubbed the “Cathedral of Vino” and considered by many to be the most beautiful wine cellar in the world. Learn the history of the Ricci family’s prized estate firsthand from one of the winery’s owners. After the tour, enjoy a private wine tasting and lunch with the group. In the late afternoon, we return to the villa for optional sunset yoga, a dinner of local fare, and a tasting from a selection of Montepulciano’s finest wines, experiencing for ourselves the Tuscan lifestyle we learned today. As our own private chef is on-site, we can meet special dietary needs for all our meals.

After our morning yoga session, breakfast, and some time for mindful exercises at the villa, we travel along an ancient Roman pilgrimage route through the World Heritage Site of Val d'Orcia, with its gently rolling hills, rich in varied hues of color, that appear in so many Renaissance paintings. Admire the verdant valleys below as our local guides guide us by foot from the town of San Quirico through the tiny hilltop settlement of Vignoni Alto and into our final destination, the ancient hamlet of Bagno Vignoni.

Upon arrival, we’ll be rewarded with an authentic lunch at a local trattoria. From there, you may explore the remarkable stone village, constructed around a central therapeutic hot spring and visited by Popes, kings, and aristocrats since the 16th century to partake in its healing properties. Join our guides for a longer hike through the surrounding valley, bathe in the town’s natural hot springs, or take the time to relax and enjoy drinks at the trattoria before returning to the villa for an evening free to enjoy the lovely grounds.

Start your day with morning mindfulness and yoga, followed by a healthy Tuscan breakfast of fresh bread and organic meats, cheeses, and tomatoes. Today, we venture into the town of Montalcino, a hilltop village dominated by its fortified walls and its pristine medieval stone castle. Famed for its production of Rosso and Brunello – considered Italy’s finest red by many – we will focus our attention on the Argiano vineyard, an ancient winery established in 1580. The estate has been home to countless noble families over the years, and we explore at the side of the present proprietors, enjoying a freshly prepared meal specially arranged for our group. Return to the villa for an afternoon siesta followed by restorative yoga and a freshly cooked dinner.

Sunrise yoga and meditation are followed by a day stretching our legs out on the trails. Those who prefer may remain at the villa and enjoy a massage and relaxation by the pool. Begin our hike at the hilltop town of Chiasure, pausing to take in one of the best views available of the Crete Senesi, which literally translates to the “Clays of Siena.” Famed for its otherworldly landscape, the trails, springs, and forests offer the discerning traveler a rare chance to immerse themselves in a side of Tuscany unavailable to those taking the typical tourist routes. After a picnic in town, we descend into the cyprus forest surrounding the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, a 15th-century monastery quietly nestled within the woods. As we arrive, cross the drawbridge, and pass the massive tower, we enter the luminous halls of the abbey. On a guided walk we absorb the history of the abbey’s famous cloister, the walls of which form a breathtaking depiction of the life of Saint Benedict. In the afternoon, we learn to cook like a Tuscan native as a local chef guides the group to prepare an authentic Tuscan dinner for ourselves.

We begin our final morning at the villa with another opportunity for yoga and mindfulness, taking one last chance to appreciate our pristine surroundings. Our final meal together consists of local fare prepared by our remarkable chef, providing an authentic farewell to our Tuscan travel experience. An afternoon group transfer back to Florence will be provided, where we’ll say our goodbyes and begin our journeys home, rejuvenated and enriched from our Tuscan experience together.