Where to Stay in Tuscany, Italy

For five centuries, this country-side estate in the middle of the wine-loving Chianti region, minutes away from Siena, was the residence of the Sozzini family, a famous dynasty of the Italian Renaissance. It now houses 58 classically decorated rooms, a wellness centre with grape-based vinotherapy treatments and a restaurant where you can reap the region’s rich bounty. To sample more of Chianti’s flavour, head to the hotel’s winery, or visit Poggio dell’Oliviera, a vineyard and olive grove, that’s been perfecting their craft since 1932. Vespa tours, organised through the hotel, are the last word in living like a local.

Visit local farms, go on a truffle hunt, make your own pasta or simply unwind at the pool or spa of this no-luxuries-spared Belmond hotel which lets you experience the Italian countryside like a true Tuscan. If you get hungry, choose from two refined restaurants. Foodies who long for a local experience also can’t miss Ristorante La Speranza, a five-minute drive away in Colle di Val d’Elsa, with its informal atmosphere and great value for money.