The Collective Escape
So much to do. So little time.
Photo by Giuseppe Mondì on Unsplash
In Italy they call it Paradiso in terra or Paradise on earth.
Tuscany is a land of endless beauty. The rugged Apennine Mountains meet Chianti’s olive groves and vineyards that meander to meet the heart of Florentine culture and go on to kiss the beaches of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
If you only have a day to explore Tuscany, there is so much to do and so little time. Do you stand in line to view David and Botticelli’s masterpieces in the Accademia or the Uffizi? Do you marvel at the largest masonry dome ever built in the Duomo Basilica aka Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore? Do you sit by and eat a gelato in the birthplace of icecream? Or do you take a trip to the countryside to sample a snifter of Chianti?
The Collective picks ways you can pack in 24 hours and leave with memories of a lifetime.
- A glass of wine. And a life lesson in leisure
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Drive a short way out of Florence and you come to the centre of Chianti country. Enjoy a prive tour at a vineyard like the storied Montemaggio. Sip a snifter with local cheese, fresh-baked bread and olive oil from their own farms.
Look out over countryside unchanged for generations, and you know that time has no meaning.
The Collective’s pick: Torre di Montemaggio Super Tuscan 1999
- A guided tour from 100 ft above.
If you haven’t got time, a hot air balloon ride is probably the best way to imbibe the beauty of Tuscany. Take to the skies for admire the rolling hills, Cypress trees, vineyards and pallazos. Spot landmark buildings from above as you soak in the panoramic views.
- Is this lunch? Or is this art?
Photo by Jay Wennington on Unsplash
Indulge in an unforgettable meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Many of these iconic establishments offer stunning views of the countryside – a feast for all your senses.
Our picks –
- Enoteca Pinchiorri, with 3 Michelin stars, is housed in an opulent palazzo in central Florence.
- Arnolfo, with 2 Michelin stars, in the tiny hilltop town of Colle di Val d’Elsa.
- Il Piccolo Principe, a 2 Michelin starred restaurant at seaside holiday town, Viareggio.
Photo by Delia Giandeini on Unsplash
- Skip-the-queue private tour of the galleries:
Say hello to David and the Medici Collection. Swing by Botticelli’s doors, climb the Duomo. Sigh at the Ponte Vecchio. And eat a gelato. Websites allow you to skip the queue and do the most notable “things-to-do” even as you compress thousands of years of art and culture into a day.
- Spa Treatment at a Luxury Resort:
Romantic spa breaks for two or relaxing getaways – Tuscany is the perfect destination to de-stress. Enjoy luxe beauty treatments amid scenic views of the thermal springs or the vineyards.
Our picks –
- Fonteverde Tuscan Resort, centred on natural thermal springs with waters that have supposed to have healed Emperors since ancient times.
- Terme di Saturnia Spas, luxury set in idyllic surroundings – life can’t really be so perfect!
- Hotel Cala Del Porto, with views of Elba Island, stand-out Mediterranean cuisine, and an atmosphere you’ll never want to leave.
There’s an ancient saying that when you come to Tuscany you leave a bit of you behind. Create your own story in this enchanted piece of Paradise.