In June, we took a much-needed break and spent a month in Tuscany with our son. This trip was originally planned as our honeymoon in 2020, but we had to postpone it due to the pandemic. Now, instead of just the two of us, there were three.
We chose a location near Siena as it made a perfect base for day trips. The drive was long, so we broke it up with a stop at Fratta Polesine, where we found a charming guesthouse and enjoyed some amazing food at Albergo Palladio. While there, we also visited Palladio’s villa, a beautiful piece of history.
The next day, we continued our journey to Crete Senesi, where we would spend the next month. Driving with a toddler in the backseat meant we had to keep car time to a minimum, but the effort was well worth it. Our home for the month, Podere Le Splandole, was a stunning old farmhouse perched on a hill with sweeping views of the countryside. The landscape transformed throughout the month, and the colors of the fields were ever-changing. Our host, Michele, and his family welcomed us warmly and went out of their way to make sure we were comfortable. They even let us use their private lawn where we set up our kiddie pool—a lifesaver during those hot summer afternoons. Grazie mille to the Iadevaia family for their hospitality.
The hills around the farm were breathtaking. I could have spent the entire day just gazing out of the window. There were walking paths all around, and Crete Senesi had a tranquility that made it feel like the perfect escape. The region became our favorite, with Val d'Orcia being a close second.
Our days were slow and simple. We frequented local markets, indulging in 0km produce, prosciutto, mozzarella, and, of course, plenty of wine. When we weren’t splashing in the kiddie pool, we were off exploring the nearby towns. Siena, practically our neighbor, became a regular spot for a quick coffee or grocery run. It’s a stunning city that never got old.
We ventured further north to Monteriggioni and San Gimignano. Though the latter was crowded, it was easy to see why—it’s iconic and worth the visit. We skipped Florence since it was a bit farther and much hotter, though I did sneak away one evening for a Metallica concert.
The drive south to Asciano was another highlight, one of the most scenic routes I’ve ever experienced. From there, we discovered Lucignano d'Asso, a true hidden gem.
Our trips to Val d'Orcia were equally spectacular, passing through Montalcino, Bagno Vignoni, Monticchiello, and Pienza. Each town was more beautiful than the last.
