Our Honeymoon: Borgo Santo Pietro

After a magical week celebrating our wedding in Paso Robles with our friends and family, we headed east to Europe for our honeymoon. The first stop - Italy. And not just anywhere in Italy, but the magical Relais Borgo Santo Pietro. I first read about Borgo on Cupcakes and Cashmere four years ago, and have been dreaming about visiting ever since. When we started tossing around honeymoon destinations and decided on Lake Como, I knew we had to spend a few extra days in Italy to visit Borgo. So after a long flight and a night in Florence we headed south through the winding countryside filled with excitement.

Tuscan Dreams

After almost three years to the day we will be returning to Italy, this time for our honeymoon! While we have sincerely loved every region of Italy that we've visited, Tuscany has a very special place in our hearts. During our five days in the countryside we said countless times how romantic it was, and how perfect it would be for a honeymoon. 

Our Honeymoon Plans Part I: Tuscany

While none of the wedding planning decisions have been easy for me {I have a very specific vision yet am also quite indecisive - a challenging combination}, choosing our honeymoon destination has been virtually a nine-month long debate. We bounced around staying in over-the-water bungalows in Bora Bora, going on a safari, relaxing in Hawaii, exploring Portugal, and even adventuring in Patagonia {which, I quickly found out, does not exactly have honeymoon weather in September}. However, from the get-go we just haven't been able to get Europe out of our minds, and the two destinations that we kept coming back to were Santorini and Lake Como {both on the very top of my bucket list}.

Travel Guide :: Val D'Orcia, Tuscany

There aren't many places that have captivated me more than the Val D'Orcia region of Tuscany.  Perhaps it's the fact that the rolling hillsides dotted with dancing cypress trees, grape vines, and clear blue skies make you feel like you've just stepped into an Impressionist painting.  Maybe it's the fact that some of the best wine in the world is just steps away from nearly everywhere you are.  It could be the pasta.  Or the incredibly kind people.  But whatever it is, I absolutely fell in love with this region and dream about the day I will return.

Travel :: Driving the Chianti Road

Our last day in Tuscany was one to remember.  We woke up early, and after a quick breakfast at Villa Campomaggio were on our way to drive the infamous Chianti Road, a beautiful stretch of Tuscan countryside south of Florence that is littered with wineries producing Chianti wine.  While I have never been much of a Chianti drinker {I have always associated it with cheap table wine in straw-wrapped bottles} I was absolutely shocked by the amazing variety of Chiantis, some of which were wonderfully elegant.

Travel :: Villa Campomaggio

During our recent Italy trip we took a six-day road trip through Tuscany.  We started south in the Val d'Orcia region and slowly made our way north through Siena to the Chianti countryside.  When in Chianti we stayed at the beautiful Villa Campomaggio, an elegant 15th century villa that had recently been converted into a hotel.  The villa's perfectly groomed grounds {the only time I have ever seen grass as green has been on a golf course} were jaw-droppingly gorgeous - secret gardens, a pool overlooking rollings hills of grapevines, chairs for reading surrounded by lavender, cypress trees, dark, mysterious forests, all with a picture-perfect view of the Chianti countryside and the tiny town of Radda in the distance.  

Travel :: Siena, Italy

During our road trip through Tuscany we spent one day and two nights in the beautiful Medieval city of Siena, famous for the Palio Horse Races.  I was absolutely blown away by the architecture, the golden light, the views, the churches, and the art.  We first visited the 900 year old Duomo.  The striped columns, stained glass windows, golden murals, marble floors, and the ornate facade made for one of the most stunning cathedrals I have ever seen.

Travel :: Tuscan Hill Towns Part II

Oh Tuscany, how you have won my heart.  One of my favorite aspects of the six days we spent there last month was visiting the quaint little hill towns {see previous post about Pienza, Montepulciano, and Montalcino here}.  Over the six days we had the opportunity to visit two more adorable villages.

Travel :: Tuscan Hill Towns Part I

One of my favorite aspects of driving through Tuscany was stopping at the ancient hill towns scattered throughout the countryside.  On our third day we visited three towns: Pienza, Montalcino, and Montepulciano.

Travel :: Under the Tuscan Sun

Whenever I go on a long trip friends always ask me what my favorite place I visited was.  Sometimes it is an easy choice {Paris} but most times it is an impossible question to answer.  I believe that every new place, new person, new experience offers you something to enrich your life.  Not every area you visit will be the most beautiful you have ever seen, but if you look hard enough you will be able to find what makes it special and unique.  That being said, I most certainly cannot pick a favorite place from our recent trip to Italy because I loved each area {Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Venice, & Florence} for different reasons.  However, in regards to my favorite days...this one is definitely up there with being one of the best of my life.

Travel :: Villa Cicolina

Today I'd like to share with you a little piece of Tuscan heaven...Villa Cicolina.  This gorgeous 16th century villa was the home of a noble family from Montepulciano until the end of the 19th century. In 2000 it was purchased by two doctors with a love for travel and they turned it into a small, luxury B&B.  From the beautiful pastel mosaic walls and ceilings to the HUGE fireplace to the antique furniture, rugs, and art, it truly was the epitome of what I always imagined as Tuscany.  We stayed in the Il Camino Junior Suite, and with it's six windows {all with a postcard view of the garden and hills}, canopy bed, and antique clawfoot bathtub, I couldn't help but let all of my worries wash away.

Travel :: Agriturismo La Sovana

Happy Friday dears!  Today I am very, very excited to tell you about our first day in Tuscany.  What started out as a terrible, nightmare of a day ended up as being pure magic.  The story:

Villa Campomaggio

In less than two months my boyfriend and I will be heading to Italy to spend sixteen days in the Cinque Terre, Tuscany, Florence, and Venice.  While I am incredibly excited about each segment of our trip, I cannot stop thinking about our six days in Tuscany.  We will be renting a car and driving through the countryside, staying in various villas, visiting ancient hill towns, tasting wines and olive oils, picnicking, and getting lost in the beauty of the land. 

To Italy We Go!

I am so excited to tell you that I will be vacationing in Italy for two weeks in September {still seems SO far away}!  My family has rented a villa in the Cinque Terre where we will be based for 5-6 days.  We are planning on hiking all the towns as well as taking a day trip to Portofino and possibly Pisa.  From there, my boyfriend and I are going to rent a car and discover Tuscany and Venice just the two of us!  I'm thinking 4-5 days in Tuscany {including Florence, Siena, Lucca, the Chianti Road, and most certainly spending at least one night in a villa surrounded by the gorgeous Tuscan countryside} and another 3-4 in Venice {with a day trip to Burano}.