tuscany, italy

Our time in Tuscany was short and sweet - just two nights in the cutest villa in the middle of the Italian countryside. If you're planning to hit a few places in Italy, I would highly recommend adding Tuscany to your itinerary as a way to relax, get away from the cities and crowds, and spend some time in nature. I really want to come back and explore more of this part of Italy!

Our Airbnb

Cortney, Donavan's cousin, found the most perfect villa in Castellina in Chianti. We had an entire rental unit to ourselves that had two bedrooms, a kitchen, dining area, a full bathroom, and our own private patio. On the property there is a heated pool that overlooks the countryside, outdoor furniture and pool chairs, a grill, and other little amenities around the property. All the other guests were quiet and enjoyed the peaceful energy - it's definitely not a place to visit if you're wanting to blast music and party with a group of friends. 

One thing that we did not do (and regretted) was rent a car. There is not much to do that is walking distance (or any Ubers/taxis), however we still managed to find one nearby winery and restaurant. Luckily, we stopped at the grocery store in Florence to stock up on breakfast and snacks before our taxi drove us outside of the city, and I would encourage you to do the same even if you have a car. We also came at a bad time because the restaurant across the street was under renovations and closed during our stay, but otherwise it's a great option for an accessible meal!

Buondonno Winery Località La Piazza , 37, 53011 Castellina in Chianti SI, Italy

This winery, about a mile walk from our villa, is a small organic farm that is mostly known for their production of Chianti Classico. We got our own private tour which included a walkthrough of the vineyards, education on their harvesting/production, and a wine tasting that also included a charcuterie board. If I remember correctly, the price was about $30, or some other reasoning price for the experience that you get!

Osteria alla Piazza Località La Piazza, 7, 53011 Castellina in Chianti SI, Italy

We ate at this restaurant right after the winery - it was about a 15 minute walk from the winery (and I think the only restaurant in walking distance). The food is pretty decent but the outdoor patio and beautiful views are worth it. What's sweeter than drinking wine and eating pasta while overlooking the Italian countryside?

Considering that we were only there for a couple nights, I only have one outfit to show you that I wore for the winery and dinner, however, I would suggest bringing some sundresses/midi dresses that will make you like you can frolic through the hills of the countryside. They are also an easy outfit option to dress up or down if you choose - sneakers by day and heels by night! We went in the middle of June and it was still a bit chilly, especially at night, so bring a light sweater or jacket to stay warm!