If you have ever seen movies like “Eat, Pray, Love” or “Under the Tuscan Sun,” you may have wondered what it would be like to travel around Italy and live like a local. Maybe you are ready to turn this dream into a reality, but where do you even begin? There is so much to plan. Flights, trains, buses, hotels, restaurants, spa appointments - the list goes on. Save yourself the stress and let the professionals handle every last detail for you. Meet Terra & Tu, the luxury travel company giving you cultural immersion and experiential travel all with a little touch of wellness.
Live La Dolce Vita
When traveling around Tuscany, Terra & Tu offers two options for living like a local. Choose from either a six-day excursion or an eight-day excursion. I highly recommend the eight-day excursion, which will kick off in the city of Florence. Here is everything you will be doing when traveling with Terra & Tu. Plus, I offer some inside scoop from my own experience traveling around Italy with the team.
Getting to Florence
First, getting to Florence. You can either fly directly into Florence or fly into a larger city, like Rome. If you fly into Rome, you can take a train from the airport to Florence, which is easier than you may think.
To get from the Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to the Roma Termini train station, which is the main train station in Rome, take the Leonardo Express train. This direct, high-speed train takes about 30-35 minutes to get you from the airport to the Roma Termini train station. You can purchase train tickets at the airport rail station either from a kiosk or a staffed ticket office.
Once you arrive at the Roma Termini train station, check the boards for your train. The tracks for each departing train are usually not assigned until 10 minutes before departure, so if you decide to grab an Italian espresso and a sweet treat, be cognizant of the track assignments. You don’t want to miss your train!
The train ride from Rome to Florence is about an hour and a half, so take a nap or enjoy the sights as you head to Florence. Once you arrive in Florence, you can either walk to your hotel or grab a taxi. If you are close to your hotel, I recommend walking, but also keep in mind Italy has a lot of cobblestone streets, so it may be a workout.
After checking into your hotel, it is time to explore the city of Florence. Wander the streets, park in a piazza, and simply people-watch. Take some photos of Florence’s famous bridges and maybe even hike up to the Piazzale Michelangelo, the highest point in Florence which overlooks all of the city.
As the sun starts to set and the church bells begin to ring in the distance, grab a table, and have a drink near the Duomo Florence. Order up a plate of pasta or a slice of Italian pizza and enjoy the evening. You may want to call it an early night because the next morning, your Tuscan adventure begins and you will want to try and sleep off any jet lag.
Day 1: Florence to Saturnia
Now onto your Tuscan adventure. After you meet with the rest of the group in Florence the next morning, you will board a bus and head south to the spa town of Saturnia. Enjoy the lovely drive through breathtaking landscapes and hilltop villages before arriving at your first destination - Terme di Saturnia. This 5-star Tuscan wellness resort is known for its pristine medical hot springs and will be your home away from home for two days. (Not too shabby!)
Before your welcome dinner, take some time to wander the resort. Book a service at the spa or swim in the therapeutic hot springs. Take a deep dive to the bottom and grab a handful of mud to make a mud mask. The mud is said to pull out impurities, so slather it on your face and body and feel refreshed for your first group dinner.
Day 2: Staying in Saturnia
Day two of your Tuscan adventure continues in Saturnia. Sleep in late and enjoy a leisurely breakfast or wake up early with a sunrise walk over to the town’s famous hot springs, Cascate del Mulino. These mineral-rich hot springs are known for their healing properties and are thought to aid in various ailments, improve circulation, and nourish the skin. Consider this classic old-world wellness.
Your second day in Saturnia is completely yours so design it as you like. Bike, hike, golf, or shop, perhaps all of the above. End the day with a cocktail at the bar and dinner on the property. Head back to your room and pack up because tomorrow, you head out to your private Tuscan villa.
Day 3: Saturnia to Asciano
On your last morning in Saturnia, enjoy one last dip in the thermal pools or a final spa session. After that, the group will venture east to Terra & Tu’s private Tuscan villa located just shy of 20 miles near the ancient hilltop village of the beautiful Asciano.
Eat a light breakfast because the group will be enjoying a delicious lunch at the Osteria Delle Crete in San Giovanni d'Asso. I highly recommend a glass of wine and a plate of bucatini. *Chef’s kiss.* Be sure to look for the local cats that like to leisurely wander the streets in search of a cozy spot and some sunshine.
After lunch, the group will head over to your own private, luxury Tuscan villa for the remainder of the trip. Situated in the center of Tuscany’s scenic Crete Senesi, the historic villa blends beautifully authentic rustic charm with contemporary luxuries to create a truly unique Tuscan experience.
Get ready for stunning views of the Tuscan countryside, vast secluded gardens, and a private pool perfect for a refreshing swim. Get settled in and spend the afternoon any way you would like then, get ready for an al fresco dinner paired with a selection of wines.
Do not worry about the cooking, there is a private chef providing meals for the group all week who can also cater to any dietary preferences and needs you may have. Breakfasts will include freshly baked breads, artisan cheeses, cured meats, and garden fresh fruits and vegetables while dinners will give guests a bite of fresh local fare paired with local Italian wines.
Special Note: When staying at the Tuscan villa, know that all, if not most, daily activities are optional. You can always opt out of the travel excursion in favor of additional yoga and meditation, personal exploration, and relaxation within the villa’s lovely grounds.
Day 4: Adventure to Montepulciano
Start your day off with a grounding yoga session and a bite of breakfast before heading out to the medieval town of Montepulciano. (If you are a big fan of the Twilight series, then this town may look familiar to you!)
The group will traverse Multipulciano on foot through the town’s main thoroughfares as well as the cobblestone paths, so be sure to wear proper footwear. After exploring the city, the group will head over to the De’Ricci wine cellar. The group will be receiving a private tour from one of the wine owners and will venture into the depths of the ancient Ricci Palace. Dubbed the “Cathedral of Vino” and considered by many to be the most beautiful wine cellar in the world, this is one ancient medieval wine cellar you must see.
After the tour, enjoy a private wine tasting and lunch. Purchase a bottle or two of wine (or ship a case back home) before departing back to the villa. There, you can enjoy a sunset yoga flow and a dinner of local fare paired with a selection of Montepulciano’s finest wines. Salute!
Day 5: Discover San Quirico and Bagno Vignoni
A new day means a new adventure. Today will begin along an ancient Roman pilgrimage route through the World Heritage Site of Val d'Orcia. Bask in the beauty of the gently rolling hills and their varied hues. Local guides will lead the group by foot (again with the proper footwear) from the town of San Quirico through the tiny hilltop settlement of Vignoni Alto and to the group’s final stop, the ancient hamlet of Bagno Vignoni.
After all of that hiking, you will probably have worked up an appetite. Good thing because you are about to enjoy a delectably delicious lunch at a local trattoria. After lunch, join the local guides for a longer hike through the surrounding valley, bathe in the town’s natural hot springs (which I highly recommend), or take the time to relax and enjoy drinks at the trattoria before heading back to the villa for the evening.
Day 6: Explore Montalcino
Today’s day trip involves a trip to the town of Montalcino, a hilltop village dominated by its fortified walls and its pristine medieval stone castle. (Yeah, it is just as medieval as it sounds).
This town and region are known for its production of Rosso and Brunello wines, both of which are considered Italy’s finest red wines. This afternoon will be spent at the Argiano vineyard, established in 1580. Explore the property with a tour given by the present proprietors and enjoy a freshly prepared meal, with you guessed it, wine.
Take this opportunity to mindfully sample, taste, and enjoy some of the world’s finest wines. Make some purchase selections and then head back to the villa for some restorative yoga and a home-cooked dinner made by the group’s private chef.
Day 7: See Monte Oliveto Maggiore
The next stop on this Tuscan tour is a hike at the hilltop town of Chiasure, pausing to take in one of the best views available of the Crete Senesi, which literally translates to the “Clays of Siena.”
After a handcrafted picnic in town, the group descends into the Cyprus forest surrounding the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, a 15th-century monastery quietly nestled within the woods.
This stop is like stepping back into ancient times. Think drawbridges, a massive tower, and art-filled halls. It’s like stepping back into a time of castles and fairy tales.
The group will receive a guided walk explaining the history of the abbey’s famous cloister, the walls of which form a breathtaking depiction of the life of Saint Benedict. In the afternoon, the group will learn to cook like a Tuscan native as a local chef guides the group to prepare an authentic Tuscan dinner. Bon appetit!
Day 8: Head Back to Florence
On your last morning, savor the early morning hours as the birds begin to chirp in the surrounding Cyprus trees. Head outside and enjoy the vast expanses of the Tuscan countryside then head inside for your last authentic Tuscan breakfast. After you finish packing your bags, go for one last stroll along the gravel roads surrounding your villa and say goodbye to the staff members who have made your week so memorable.
An afternoon transfer to Florence will be provided and then it is time to say some tearful goodbyes as group members journey back home and conclude their Tuscan experience together. Same time next year?
Travel with Terra & Tu
Traveling like a local may seem like a headache, but Terra & Tu makes it completely easy and effortless. With various dates available throughout the year, Terra & Tu also have adventures and experiential travels to otherworldly destinations including Portugal, Peru, and Piedmont. What are you waiting for, embark on your luxury wellness travel adventure today and experience life like a local.
To learn more about Terra & Tu, follow along on their adventures @TerraandTu
