Top 10 Tuscany hotels (free guide)

At Agriturismo Il Venturo in the countryside of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana you’ll find a pool, an equestrian center and a “km. 0” restaurant where you’ll enjoy some of the most typical foods of the region. We recommend you try mondiola, a front-quarter pork salame aged for 40 days, fresh maccheroni pasta with sausage and Tuscan kale, white wine roast rabbit, and castagnaccio – the most “garfagnino” dessert there is, since it is made of chestnut flour, pine nuts and rosemary.

If you're seeking an exclusive Italian summer vacation away from the crowds, Hotel Villa Domizia is the place for you. Situated near Porto Santo Stefano, part of the Monte Argentario peninsula in Tuscany, this four-star hotel offers a stunning view of the Tyrrhenian Sea and provides guests with a refined, relaxing atmosphere. It features direct access to the sea, a swimming pool and pool bar, and an award-winning restaurant, making it a popular choice for travelers seeking both luxury and a scenic coastal experience. Top 3 activities nearby: - visit Porto Santo Stefano to shop and dine; - unique fishing experience with Paolo Fanciulli the fisherman in nearby Talamone; - bathe in Saturnia's natural hot springs. This is where I stay with my own guests during our Southern Tuscany group tours.

Lucca, Tuscany is one of the last-standing, fortified Medieval cities of Italy, and a strategic spot to base yourself while exploring Tuscany's most famous destinations, without getting overwhelmed by the crowds of the more famous cities. And, if you're looking for a blend of modern comfort within a historical setting, Palazzo Dipinto offers just that. Overlooking the picturesque Piazza del Palazzo Dipinto, this ancient 13th-century palazzo was transformed in 2017 into a stunning 4-star Superior Boutique Hotel. An additional wing, completed in 2023, has expanded its offerings, primarily featuring suites and triples. With 22 rooms—ranging from classic, superior, and deluxe rooms to suites and junior suites—the hotel caters to a variety of preferences. Each room is beautifully designed, blending historical charm with contemporary elegance, and features 100% Italian-made wooden parquet floors and top design brand furnishings. Many rooms can accommodate extra beds, making it ideal for families as well. Palazzo Dipinto provides excellent service, with a 24-hour reception ready to assist with every need, from airport transfers to organizing tours, guided visits, and bike rentals. They even offer a private garage for your convenience. The breakfast spread is delightful, and throughout the day, guests can enjoy water and cantucci in the lobby. The hotel’s location in the historic center of Lucca is perfect for exploring on foot, with easy access to the city’s monuments, shopping streets, and famous ancient walls. Top 3 activities nearby: - rent a bike and ride on top of Lucca's Medieval walls; - day trips to major art cities like Florence and Pisa, which you can easily reach by car or train; - wine tastings in the nearby Garfagnana hills, or in Chianti. This is where I stay with my guests during our Northern Tuscany tours.

Pensione di Vignamaggio is a charming boutique hotel nestled in the picturesque village of Panzano, located in the heart of the renowned Chianti Classico region in Tuscany. Its front door opens onto Panzano's main square, while the rest of the building faces the gorgeous surrounding hills, lined with vineyards and olive groves. The Pensione di Vignamaggio is housed in a historic building that exudes rustic elegance and traditional charm. Guests are welcomed with warm hospitality and attentive service, ensuring a memorable stay from the moment they arrive. The Pensione also boasts a range of amenities to enhance guests' stay, including a private swimming pool, a lush garden, and a charming patio where guests can enjoy breakfast al fresco or a glass of the Pensione's very own red wine, produced in the surrounding vineyards. One of the highlights of staying at Pensione di Vignamaggio is its proximity to numerous attractions and activities. Guests can explore the historic village of Panzano, renowned for its medieval architecture, artisanal shops, and quaint cafes. Wine enthusiasts will delight in the opportunity to visit nearby wineries for tastings and tours, experiencing firsthand the world-class wines that the Chianti Classico region is famous for. Take note that every Sunday morning the square across from the hotel hosts a cute, local market that you won't want to miss. Top 3 activities: - dine at world-famous Dario Cecchini's butcher shop; - Chianti Classico wine tasting at Le Fonti or Il Mulino di Grace; - cooking class at B&B Rosso del Chianti (linked below).

Poggio Etrusco is a privately owned organic farm near Montepulciano, located halfway between Florence and Rome. The owners are Pamela Sheldon Johns (a cookbook author) and Johnny Johns (an artist). On 15 acres, this property is an active "oliveto" with over 800 olive trees and production of an exceptional organic extra-virgin olive oil. Poggio Etrusco is a great place to stay, and also to visit for one of their one-day COOKING CLASSES: 1. Cucina Povera: Tuscany's peasant cuisine; 2. Artisanal Italian Pantry; 3. The Farmers’ Market/ Ribollita with a Tuscan Home Cook 4. Fresh Pasta; 5. Gluten-free Tuscan dishes; 6. Tuscan Vegetarian (or vegan); 7. request your own subject. The price, €195/person, includes the lesson (with printed recipes in English), lunch and wine. There is a 2-person minimum. Group prices available for groups of 10 or more. To reserve a space in a one-day workshop, contact them via the form on their website, or by telephone at (+39) 0578 798 370.

Family-run organic winery & agriturismo high on a hilltop in the Chianti Classico area. Whether you’re seeking a food and wine getaway in one of the oldest wine regions in the world, a rejuvenating vacation in the countryside or joyful moments and experiences characterized by Tuscan charm, Querceto di Castellina is the ideal setting. You can choose from one of their 9 apartments and a double-suite for your stay, with each featuring Tuscan-inspired décor. The apartments range in size and can accommodate two to nine people (40 people maximum capacity) and are equipped with a full kitchen with the exception of their more recently renovated Livia suite. As a guest of Querceto you can take a dip in their saltwater pool, explore the estate gardens, admire the views from our terrace, as well as sip and savor with a complimentary wine tasting of their very own wines. The estate also features a laundry room, bbq/picnic area, ping pong table and free WiFi. They are an agriturismo with vacation apartments, not a hotel, so daily cleaning and change of linens are not provided with the exception of their Livia suite. Querceto di Castellina is world-renowned for hosting exclusive dinners right in their vineyards. Check out their Instagram profile, linked below, to take a look. Car or private transfer required.

This four-star hotel is a tranquil oasis with a garden, a pool, a little maze, and an amphitheater across from the Duomo of Sovana, from the ninth century. Breakfast is served starting at 8 AM each morning.

If visiting the free-access natural hot springs of Saturnia sounds like too much of an adventure, you can still enjoy the thermal waters at Terme di Saturnia SPA & Golf Resort. Full-day access to the resort's open-to-the-public SPA costs €26 on weekdays and €30 on weekends and holidays. Afternoon-only access costs €23 on weekdays and €26 on weekends and holidays. Rent a white bathrobe and white towel for 6€ (or bring your own - but consider that there is a white “dresscode”), a lounge bed for 8€ and an umbrella for 5€. Several Day Spa and treatment offers are also available, check the link below for more info.

Tombolo Talasso Resort is a fantastic accommodation for a Tuscan summer vacation for individuals as well as families, located right across from the sea in Marina di Castagneto Carducci (also known as Marina di Donoratico), a little beach town dotted with shops and restaurants, just an hour and a half's drive from Florence, and 15 minutes from Bolgheri. The resort features a number of amenities: a restaurant, bars, a gym, a private beach club, a swimming pool and, most notably, an underground SPA and cave with heated pools for thalassotherapy (saltwater therapy). This is the same accommodation I stay at with my own clients on our Unconventional Tuscany tour, see details at the link below.

A Renaissance villa transformed into an olive oil resort with a pool and spa treatments, located in the Mugello area, above the village of Vicchio. It also offers many activities, some highlights: - Honey and beehive experience - Olive mill visit and tasting “seminar”, plant your own olive tree experience - Truffle hunting - Cooking classes.