With its rolling hills, slender cypresses, and centuries-old villages, Tuscany is one of the world’s most cherished destinations. Yet beyond the idyllic image lies a region of contrasts—ranging from the vineyards of Chianti and wild coastal stretches to ancient spa towns where thermal waters still flow.

A region that has long inspired artists and dreamers, Tuscany has a way of captivating you gradually, inviting you to savor a glass of wine, stroll through olive groves, or leisurely browse local markets while a gelato slowly melts in your hand.

• Lupaia, Torrita di Siena. Of all Tuscany’s picturesque landscapes, the Val d’Orcia valley is perhaps the most beautiful. With its sunflower fields, stone farmhouses, and hillsides interlocking like a mosaic, this part of the region conveys a sense of spaciousness and sublime serenity.
• Villa di Piazzano, Cortona. A stone’s throw from Cortona—a city that has long inspired painters, poets, and at least one bestselling author—Villa di Piazzano is a 500-year-old estate that once served as the hunting lodge of a favorite cardinal of the Medici family. Today, it has been reimagined as an elegant country retreat featuring terracotta floors, exposed wooden beams, and arched windows that let in the golden Tuscan light; here, amidst the historic setting and an old tobacco tower, you will drift off to sleep immersed in centuries of history.

 

 

• Hotel Lungarno, Florence[opening photo]. Like an elegant yacht moored on the banks of the Arno, Hotel Lungarno feels simultaneously like a private residence and a floating gallery. It is the only hotel in Florence built directly over the river, placing it on the same level as the Ponte Vecchio and just steps away from the artisan-filled streets of the Oltrarno district.
• Palazzo Vecchietti, Florence. Tucked away just behind Piazza della Repubblica, Palazzo Vecchietti is easily overlooked—part of its charm. Originally built for a wealthy family of merchants and art patrons, this 16th-century residence retains the atmosphere of a private home rather than a hotel. Upon entering, you will find countless traces of the building's Renaissance past, from sculpted cornices and antique fireplaces to a weathered stone staircase.
• Hotel James Suite Firenze 1564, Florence. In this noble 16th-century residence-turned-hotel on Via di Mezzo, intricate woodwork, original stone arches, and hand-painted frescoed ceilings coexist with custom-made furniture and interiors in soft earth tones.

 

 

•  La Roqqa, Porto Ercole. A lush, rolling peninsula reminiscent of the French Riviera, Porto Ercole remains one of southern Tuscany’s best-kept secrets. Elegant and wooded—featuring shade-providing pines and hidden coves—it offers a relaxed coastal glamour that delights the savvy Italians who flock here every summer.
• Villa Petriolo, Florence. Just outside Florence, this honey-hued Tuscan haven is accessible via a 35-minute train ride from Santa Maria Novella to San Miniato-Fucecchio. Villa Petriolo sits on an estate offering visitors an authentic nature-immersed experience, with activities such as truffle hunting and yoga amidst olive groves.
• Hotel Regency, Florence. Located on Piazza Massimo D'Azeglio, this 19th-century villa abounds with Renaissance paintings, antique mirrors, and the scent of lemon trees from its own oasis—the "Secret Garden." In just minutes, you can stroll to the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, or the Accademia Gallery, then return to enjoy an aperitif in the garden and spend the night beneath the hotel's richly decorated ceilings.

Photography by Kira Turnbull