Escape to the picturesque Tuscan countryside and indulge in the luxury of Montestigliano, a dreamy villa in Tuscany. Unforgettable memories await!

For many, a luxury farmhouse escape to Italy’s Tuscany region is one of those dream vacations, the kind that you must make once in a lifetime. And there’s nothing more perfect for that bucket list journey than Montestigliano, a quaint estate set among the undulating Tuscan countryside and vineyards.

There are beautiful villas throughout Tuscany, such as Montestigliano. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

The Heart of Tuscany

Tuscany is in central Italy, the epicenter of Renaissance Italy. Montestigliano is about an hour outside the Tuscan capital of Florence and is the perfect place for you to immerse yourself in the heart and soul of Tuscan life, whether you’re planning a long vacation, a short trip, or searching for a unique wedding venue in Italy.

I fell in love with Montestigliano and hope to return for a longer visit. The idyllic Tuscan farm from the 1700s is on more than 2,475 acres. The Donati family, who has farmed the land for generations, now operates it as a private holiday retreat. It sits about 7.5 miles from the lovely medieval town of Siena, and life here is a bit slower. Days are utterly blissful, filled with local cuisine, peaceful vistas, delicious wine, and long walks.

The farm offers 11 beautifully restored accommodations. You can choose the noble two-story Villa Donati, which sleeps 14 and opens to a lovely backyard garden. Perhaps you prefer Casa Luisa, with its spectacular sunsets and outdoor loggia. You might select the small Casa Massimo near the chapel with its fireplace, or the newest stand-alone Casa Emilio.

Villa Donati. Photo by Debby Wolvos

I stayed in Casa Luisa and relished the sunsets, sitting still, and simply gazing at the surrounding countryside.

I adored spending time on the outdoor loggia of Casa Luisa. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

No matter your choice, every apartment has easy access to the landscape’s cypress avenues, olive groves, fig trees, and ancient terraces.

View of Tuscan valleys from Montestigliano. Photo by Debby Wolvos

Experience Tuscan Culture

Your time at Montestigliano can be as casual or structured as you like. Awake each morning to a homemade breakfast featuring farm-fresh eggs, local cheese, warm pastries, and fruit. We usually chose to take a plate of food, complete with cheese made on the farm, outside on the loggia to enjoy the spring air.

We loved waking up to these amazing breakfasts each day. Photo by Debby Wolvos

Dinners feature olive oils from the farm’s orchards. Arrange for a bruschetta tasting, a cooking course, or a wine tasting. Or, venture into town for a traditional Tuscan neighborhood meal, complete with music and homemade limoncello.

You can do an olive oil tasting, sample bruschetta, or choose a cooking class while staying at Montestigliano. Photo by Debby Wolvos

Hiking and cycling is a given in the open spaces surrounding Montestigliano. The Donatis can arrange for you to rent a bike or can help point the way for a peaceful meander through the woods.

Explore the Countryside

For something completely unique to Tuscany, set forth on an excursion to Degusta la Cinta Senese. The Cinta Senese are indigenous pigs that were almost extinct. Thanks to a breeding program, they are now a delicacy. Take a farm tour, learn about healthy meat, and sample the wares.

We loved the prosciutto at Degusta la Cinta Senese. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

Stroll through nearby Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the cathedral dates back to the 1300s.

Siena Cathedral. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

Make your way to Piazza del Campo, the town’s fan-shaped center, with its magnificent Torre del Mangia. Each year, the famed Palio horse race runs here, turning the tranquil town a bit crazy with the Tuscan version of the Running of the Bulls.

In Siena, Piazza del Campo is home to the magnificent Torre del Mangia. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

Exploring Tuscany

Indeed, there is something magical about Tuscany—grab a flute of prosecco and sit back to watch the sun cast shadows across the hills. Here in Tuscany, you connect the heartiness of the earth with the expansiveness of the heavens in a way that doesn’t happen anywhere else.

We invite you to explore Wander With Wonder for more great stories about our favorite things to do in Italy.

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Note: A version of this story originally appeared in the November 2016 issue of So Scottsdale magazine.