Twenty years of marriage is definitely worth celebrating, and I can’t think of a more romantic place to celebrate than a weekend in Tuscany, Italy.
We spent a long weekend driving through miles of rolling green hills, staying at a charming bed and breakfast tucked in the middle of a vineyard, soaking in natural hot springs, and walking the cobblestone streets of a medieval village. It was truly an unforgettable trip, and I’m excited to share all the details, including the best places to stay and things to do in Tuscany, Italy!
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How to Spend A Dreamy Weekend in Tuscany
Table of Contents
The Best Places to Stay in Tuscany
Tuscany is a large region in central Italy, with so many beautiful towns and a dreamy countryside. It was hard to narrow down the locations to visit since we only had one weekend in Tuscany. We decided to divide our time between two different spots, and loved our experience at both.
Salcheto Wine House
We spent two nights at Salcheto Wine House, a charming Bed and Breakfast near Montepulciano.
This little haven is located about 2km down a gravel road and is nestled in the middle of a working vineyard. As we pulled up, we were immediately charmed by the rustic traditional Tuscan farm exterior and views of the surrounding countryside.
The interior had a more modern, minimalist feel, with thoughtful personal touches.
The rooms were clean and comfortable, and the large soaker tub was perfect for relaxing after a long day of travel.
We checked in late that night and woke up with an appetite. The breakfast was an intimate continental-style buffet with freshly made pastries, quiche, homemade breads and jellies, seasonal fruits, and fresh-squeezed juice.
We enjoyed our breakfast in the outdoor garden while taking in the spectacular views.
After breakfast, we took a soak in the outdoor hot tub before heading out to explore.
Luxury Vacation Rental
For the second half of our stay, we met up with family for a few nights and shared this dreamy Tuscan Villa. It was absolutely incredible, and since it sleeps 10, you can share the cost with family or friends.
The home is spacious and comfortable. I especially loved the outdoor space and the fully equipped kitchen.
We spent the weekend swimming in the outdoor pool overlooking the rolling green hills, eating shared meals on the outdoor patio, watching the sunrise over the countryside, and soaking in the hot tub while a morning mist rolled in. It was the epitome of a Tuscan summer!
This villa is located in the small village of Allerona, and is technically in the Umbria Region. The nearest city is Orvieto, about 25 minutes away. It’s a little over an hour south of Salcheto Wine House.
The location is a little remote, and you’ll need to drive for about 1 mile down a dirt road. The road is fine for all vehicles, but you will need to rent a car to reach this place. Trust me, it’s worth the effort to get here!
The Best Things to Do in Tuscany
You could easily spend months traveling around Tuscany and not see it all. However, if you only have a long weekend, here are a few spots you won’t want to miss.
Sunrise at Cascate del Mulino Thermal Springs
Cascate del Mulino thermal springs in Saturnia has been on my bucket list for years, and it did not disappoint! It took us about 1 1/2 hours to drive from our vacation rental to the hot springs. It’s about a 2-hour drive from Salcheto Wine House.
This natural thermal spring features terraced travertine pools that have formed over thousands of years. It sits at the base of an old millhouse and is surrounded by the rolling hills of Tuscany. It feels like it belongs in a fairytale!
The springs are free to visit, and they are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The best time to visit is at sunrise, so you can beat the crowds and experience the early morning light filtering through the rising steam. It is nothing short of magical!
It does get quite crowded during the day, but sunset is also a good time to visit.
The water stays a warm 99.5°F year-round, and it is such a beautiful and relaxing place to soak. Just a heads up, clothing is optional with the locals.
I recommend wearing water shoes or sandals, as the bottom of the spring is filled with tiny pebbles that hurt to walk on.
We noticed tiny red worms in the water. They seemed to be harmless, but bring coins so you can rinse off in the hot showers afterwards. At the time of our visit, the shower was 1 euro for 2 minutes.
They also have a cafe on site if you want to grab a bite to eat. Their pastries were delicious!
You’ll need a rental car to reach the springs, and parking was 2.50 euros per hour at the time of our visit.
Explore the Local Towns
There are countless charming towns in Tuscany. In fact, Salcheto is situated at the foot of Montepulciano, Tuscany’s “Haven on a Hilltop”. You can see it perched high on the cliff while sitting in the hot tub.
It boasts spectacular views and is one of the most photogenic towns in all of Tuscany. This is even the town where scenes from Under the Tuscan Sun were filmed.
It is a great place to lose yourself while wandering the narrow streets, ducking into an antique bookstore, or grabbing a slice of pizza.
I also just loved driving through the open countryside. Volpaia and Val d’Orcia are two popular areas to explore nearby that offer some of the most picturesque scenery in all of Tuscany. Val d’Orcia is particularly known for its iconic cypress-lined roads.
The truth is, we stumbled across so many small towns and fell in love with every single one of them.
Sometimes the best way to explore is to have no agenda at all. One night, we were late getting dinner and decided to stop at the next town we came to.
There were no reviews on Yelp, and the town itself was nothing but a small blip on the map.
However, we discovered the most delicious pizza at a small mom & pop cafe and were enchanted by the cobblestone streets lit by lampposts. It was one of my favorite memories from our trip.
One day, we were in search of gelato, and our quest took us to the old historic district of Orvieto, perched high on top of a volcanic cliff.
After doing more research, we discovered that Orvieto has a history dating back to the 9th century BC. It was the last Etruscan city to be conquered by the Roman Republic in 264 BC and was abandoned until the Middle Ages.
The elaborate maze of underground tunnels, Gothic architecture, and rich history remains today. This historic city wasn’t originally on our itinerary, but I’m so glad we stumbled upon it!
Visit Civita di Bagnoregio
One of our favorite towns that we visited in Tuscany was Civita di Bagnoregio. We were intrigued from the moment we first saw a picture of this ancient town perched precariously atop a plateau of eroding volcanic rock and clay.
It is referred to as the “Island on the Clouds”, as well as “the Dying City”. Despite withstanding multiple sieges and attacks in earlier years, Mother Nature is now responsible for its demise as the city is slowly crumbling into the Tiber River Valley below.
This is a pedestrian-only city, so you’ll need to park in the designated lot outside the city and walk up the steep footbridge to reach the entrance gate.
Parking can be hard to find, especially if you are visiting in the summer.
If the lot near the footbridge is full, you’ll need to park by the information center and ticket booth in town. Parking is 2 euros per hour, and it’s about a 20-minute walk from the parking lot, or they have a shuttle bus for an additional charge.
Tickets are required to visit Civita di Bagnoregio between 8 am and 8 pm year-round. The cost is 3 euros on weekdays and 5 euros on weekends and holidays. It is free to visit outside of these hours, and it is much less crowded.
Tickets can be purchased at the information center in town or at the booth located at the bottom of the footbridge (bring cash). See the Civita di Bagnoregio website for detailed visitor information.
At the top of the footbridge, you will be greeted by a massive Gothic arch, the St. Maria Doorway, that serves as the city’s entrance gate.
Once you enter the ancient city, it truly feels as if you’ve stepped back in time, or onto the set of a movie.
The origins of the city date back to the Bronze Age. However, many of the buildings were constructed during the Middle Ages.
Since cars aren’t allowed, this has helped preserve its medieval state for over 1000 years.
Only about 20 residents (and a handful of cats) live in the city year-round. Others make the commute from neighboring towns to keep the handful of cafes, restaurants, and bed and breakfasts running.
We visited on a weekday later in the evening to avoid the crowds. We were planning to eat dinner here, but discovered that the entire town virtually shuts down after 4 pm. A select few restaurants reopen later for dinner on the weekends. If you are planning to visit, be sure to check the seasonal hours of operation for the restaurants.
If you are visiting during opening hours, the famed Alma Civita Bed & Breakfast comes highly recommended. Here, you can enjoy delectable entrees in an elegant and cozy ancient Etruscan cave. Rooms are also available if you want to spend the night in the town.
A few other restaurants that have great reviews are Antica Rota and L’Arco del Gusto.
Even though we missed dining here, Civita di Bagnoregio is such a fascinating place to walk around and explore the hidden beauty without an agenda.
Inside the main town square, you’ll find Chiesa di San Donato, whose origins date back to the 7th century.
Step inside to view historic relics, including a precious 600-year-old wooden crucifix from the school of Donatello.
Throughout the city, you’ll see portions of buildings that have already fallen victim to erosion and landslides, like the remains of an old Renaissance palace.
I recommend stopping by the Geological and Landslides Museum to learn more about the geological problems facing this unique town.
At the end of the city, you’ll come to Giardino del Poete, or “Garden of the Poet”, overlooking the valley below. For a few euros, you can visit the garden and shop for local goods like jams and honey.
If you keep to the right of the garden, you’ll follow down some steps that lead to a series of Etruscan caves. Here you’ll find the Chapel of Madonna Del Carcere.
This cave was originally an Etruscan tomb and was later used by shepherds as a home and barn before being transformed into a chapel. We’ve visited here a few times, but on our most recent visit, the path leading to the chapel was closed. I’m not sure if this was a temporary or permanent closure due to unstable ground.
Just past the Chapel of Madonna Del Carcere, you’ll come to a tunnel that was once a Roman aqueduct that was expanded to allow for the passage of carts.
Another unique spot is Gepetto’s workshop. For 1 euro, you can explore the underground cave that served as the filming location for the TV production of Pinocchio.
Civita di Bagnoregio truly is a unique and treasured city to visit in Tuscany. It is located about 1 hour 20 minutes from the Salcheto Wine House and about 50 minutes from the vacation villa we rented.
This city may not be around in years to come, so it’s worth visiting while you still can!
Soak in the Fosso Bianco Hot Springs
Tuscany has several natural hot springs, and I was determined to take full advantage of that while we were there.
I was excited to discover that the Fosso Bianco springs in Bagni San Filippo were located only about a half-hour away from the Salcheto Wine House.
The springs are easy to access, and the trail leading to the springs is located right at the edge of town. Street parking is available along the side of the road.
The trail is short and fairly easy, although it is a little steep in parts, as it leads down through the trees to the secluded sulfur hot springs.
You’ll see a series of pools that run along the edge of the trees. If you head to the left, you’ll come to the “white whale”.
This remarkable white limestone formation is the largest calcium formation in Bagni San Filippo.
There are various pools of different sizes, and the bottoms of the pools are filled with rich mud deposits that are great for a rejuvenating mud mask!
If you go to the right, you’ll discover some pools that the locals have created. These are freshwater pools that do not have the same sulfur smell as the pools further down.
The pools were not as hot as I had anticipated. I am not sure if that was due to the time of year we were visiting. But it was still a relaxing way to spend the afternoon!
In addition to Fosso Bianco and Cascate del Mulino (mentioned previously), Bagno Vignoni Thermal Baths and Terme di Petriolo are also popular hot springs in Tuscany.
Spend the Day in Florence
When picturing Tuscany, the first things that come to mind are the rolling hills, countless vineyards, charming villages, and endless countryside. However, Tuscany is home to a few major cities as well. The most popular include Florence, Siena, Pisa, and Lucca.
For this itinerary, we only had time to visit one city, and we knew we wanted to visit Florence. I immediately fell in love with the history, architecture, artwork, and romantic charm.
We spent one full day in Florence, where we ate paninis at an outdoor cafe in Piazza del Duomo, gawked at the Florence Cathedral, climbed to the top of Giotto’s Bell Tower, saw the statue of David at Galleria dell’Accademia, ate gelato on the street corner, visited the Uffizi Gallery, and picked up souvenirs from the shops at Ponte Vecchio Bridge.
We could have easily spent several days exploring Florence, but we were able to see the main highlights in just one day. For more details and information, see our guide, The Best Things to Do in Florence in One Day.
It really was the perfect romantic weekend in Tuscany, filled with the right balance of exploration and relaxation!
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Pin it for later:
This looks so romantic! Love that outdoor hot tub and view. We would love to wander those ancient streets. Pinning this for planning later!
It was the hot tub that sold me when I found the listing online! It really was such a romantic trip, I hope you get a chance to visit someday!
Ahhhh this looks like the ultimate getaway!! We haven’t even stepped foot off North America yet and I am thinking Italy will be first up – I was going to bring the kids but maybe ill leave the behind and copy this trip <3
Haha, yes! Yes to Italy and yes to a kid-free trip 😉
Ooh sign me up! This sounds beautiful! Your photos are gorgeous. 🙂
Thank you! It’s such a beautiful place, I hope you get a chance to visit someday!
Congratulations. This trip (& pictures) look dreamy!
Thank you, it really was dreamy!
If we ever get a weekend free just the two of us again I think we would love to head to Tuscany. Your pictures are beautiful
Thank you! I think it’s impossible to take a bad photo there, it really is beautiful! I hope you get a chance to visit!
Those springs look incredible! Actually all these spots do. Definitely saving this for our trip next year!
Aren’t they beautiful?! We absolutely loved it there, how exciting that you get to go next year!
We absolutely love the relaxed vibe of Tuscany, that B & B looks stunning, I’ll definitely look into it for our next visit to the area.
It truly is such a relaxing vacation, I’m so glad you’ve had a chance to visit!