As soon as we embarked on our drive from the airport through the breathtaking Tuscan hills, I knew that our first trip to Tuscany would certainly not be our last.
We chose the outskirts of the ancient city of Volterra and San Gimignano wine region as our base for a late October weekend in Italy. After traveling around Ireland and Edinburgh in the weeks prior, we were looking forward to a relaxing weekend of wine, good food, and stellar views. Our hotel, Borgo Pignano, offered the perfect backdrop for all three.
My two favorite parts of the hotel were its unreal infinity pool and outdoor cocktail bar, which served up the most amazing libations at sunset. Tuscan sunsets deserve their own sunset category. Enjoying a craft cocktail while watching the sun go down was the perfect way to bid farewell to a day in Tuscany! Tuscany is so peaceful and beautiful and its spectacular sunsets are ever so fitting.
For activities, we booked both truffle hunting and horseback riding which were perfect for sunny fall days. Borgo Pignano has a number of add-on experiences, such as cooking and painting classes that you can book and enjoy on-site, which is very convenient! The truffle hunter and his dog, Paco, took us on a wandering walk through the woods abutting the Pignano property where we were thrilled to find four black truffles! October is part of truffle season in Tuscany so we were able to fully immerse ourselves in the process of locating these culinary treasures during our visit. It was amazing to see how the dog could pick up the scent from yards away and then exhibit self-restraint when finding the truffle and having to give it up.
While we didn’t get to eat the truffles we found, we made sure to order plenty of black AND white truffle dishes throughout our visit to the area!
Our horseback riding excursion took us through vineyards and woods, allowing us to enjoy the beauty of the area from a different perspective. It had been awhile since my last horseback adventure in Montana, but I always enjoy spending time with these beautiful creatures and going for a trot! We had unseasonably warm weather for late October (high 70s/80s) and I loved enjoying soaking up that last bit of summer weather.
Believe it or not, we only went to one winery while in Tuscany! Again, we had been traveling for the month prior and were frankly exhausted, so we tried to keep plans to a minimum and really relax while in the area. Il Colombaio di Santa Chiara, the family-owned farm house and winery where we did our tasting, was fantastic. Beyond its gorgeous views, we loved the varietals we tasted and ended up going home with their Cabernet Franc. While you may think of Tuscany as an area with red wines, San Gimignano is actually known for its Vernaccia, which is a white most similiar to Sauvignon Blanc. It was fun to learn more about the wine region and its diverse array of different wines.
Spending time in Volterra was a highlight. About 25 minutes away from Borgo Pignano (…and a beautiful, scenic drive to get there), this walled mountaintop town is steeped in history. It’s known for its alabaster and Etruscan origins, and while we did take home a small alabaster piece for our home, we really loved Volterra for its views and restaurants. We had several delicious meals in town and enjoyed meandering through the village both before and after them.
I am looking forward to visit Tuscany again and exploring its other areas and wine regions. There are so many gorgeous places – both inland and on the coast – that we have yet to enjoy. Maybe it’s my Italian roots, but Italy is definitely one of my favorite countries! Until our next visit, I’ll be sitting here dreaming of the Tuscan sun.
The A-Lyst is a Boston-based lifestyle blog curating the very best of style, beauty, food, and travel.