Tuscany, Italy - Honeymoon Pt. 3

Days 7-10: Tuscany

After a magical week spent in Capri and Positano, it was time to say goodbye to the southern sea and hello to the rolling hills of Tuscany. When Michael and I were initially planning our trip, it didn’t cross our minds to include Tuscany as part of our itinerary. Getting from the southern coast to the northern countryside takes roughly five hours by train+car and we weren’t sure if the time and effort would be worth the trek. We were wrong because it exceeded our expectations by far! When I think of Italy, I think of a rolling countryside, vineyards, medieval towns, cobblestone streets, exceptional food and wine— all of what one can expect when visiting Tuscany.

With only a few nights left of our trip we wanted to make the most of our time before heading home. We booked our stay at a small estate called Lupaia, conveniently located between Montepulciano and Pienza. Pictures and reviews had me imagining that we’d be staying somewhere out of a storybook and once we arrived I truly felt just that! It provided the perfect mix of activities and relaxation that we were looking for. They have a gorgeous pool, unique and private lodging options and the best food I have ever had in my entire life (for real). The staff made us feel at home and went above and beyond to ensure we enjoyed every detail of our stay.

We ventured off the hotel grounds a handful of times, but ultimately found ourselves wanting to take full-advantage of the variety of activities at Lupaia. Our favorite activity was by-far the private cooking class Chef Andrea guided us through. We started the afternoon picking fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs from their homegrown garden and spent the remaining time inside learning the art of pasta-making and preparing yummy accompanying dishes. The food coma we ‘suffered’ after our class was worth every bite!

Another favorite activity was the afternoon picnic the staff at Lupaia prepared for us. I don’t think there’s a better way to take in the sights, smells and sounds of the beautiful Italian countryside than enjoying a homemade lunch right in the middle of it all.

The infinity pool provided a perfect spot for relaxation during the day and also became a picturesque spot to enjoy a few apertivos before dinner. After experiencing our first Lupaia dinner, we canceled all other reservations we had previously made knowing we just couldn't pass up the food, atmosphere, service, ambiance— everything was that spectacular. Guests were served their three-course dinner on the quiet outdoor patio and could come and go anytime between 6-9pm.