Beautiful Tuscany, extremely popular with both Italian and foreign visitors alike, truly has it all when it comes to accommodation options and nowhere else in Italy is so well-equipped to cater for the needs of travelling wine lovers.
Whether you choose to stay in a Tuscany winery hotel, a 1,000 year-old castle, a converted farmhouse, a trendy boutique hotel, a B&B or on a plush wine resort, you will never be short of options in Tuscany, but due to the region’s incredible popularity, it is always best to book ahead. At Wine Paths, our local expert offers help in finding accommodation that is a key element of the Tuscany experience.
The best winery hotels in Tuscany take guests to the vinous heart of Tuscany, whereby wine lovers will sleep soundly surrounded by vines. Guests can also meet the winemakers, as well as visit the wineries and vineyards. Once having gained an understanding of the unique characteristics of Tuscan terroir and more specifically the site-specific secrets of the vineyards that are part of their temporary home, they can then taste the wines made on the spot when staying at a winery hotel. Tuscany is the full of vinous, gastronomic and architectural treasures and staying at a working winery or farm is a great way to tap into Tuscany. It’s also well worth picking a few bottles of wine directly from the source.
Many Tuscan winery hotels and some Agriturismo have swimming pools that not only provide a welcome dip in the sweltering summer heat but also literally let guests to lay back and soak up the verdant rolling countryside of Chianti, or seascapes closer to the coast, olive plantations and glorious vineyards.
Glitzy modern hotels and old classics are plentiful in the main cities, such as Florence and Siena, although B&Bs are on the increase and offer a more personal touch for those looking for it, we offer you the best of the best wine-resorts to unwind and soak in the Tuscan sun.
With its Super Tuscan wines that have rivalled the best of Bordeaux, Bolgheri is once again taking on its French rival, but this time in the hospitality stakes. Opened in 2017, Bolgheri’s World Wine Town is Tuscany’s answer to Bordeaux’s own Cité du Vin, which itself opened amid much fanfare in 2016. The World Wine town is essentially the beautifully and tastefully restored Casone Ugolino, replete with a wine museum in which holograms of legendary local figures detail their roles in making Tuscany the tour-de-force it is today.
If you come at harvest time you can even get your hands dirty and pick grapes or olives that will end up as wine and oil, respectively. Italy is now very well-known for the agriturismo (agritourism) movement and Tuscany is teeming with possibilities for those seeking rustic charm and who’d like to get up close with country life and even lend a hand. Agriturismo allows wine lovers to get in on agriculture action and stay on family-run farms that have been opened to the curious wine traveller. Agriturismo can include B&B, apartments or even whole-farm buildings. Some agriturismo are not rustic at all but are actually rather luxurious. There is truly something for every budget and all expectations when it comes to agriturismo. This is a great option for those looking to interact with the locals and learn what it’s like to run a winery or a farm. The host families may teach you how to make their signature dishes, which are sure to taste great. They will also be extremely helpful in booking holiday activities.
For more suggestions and details about the accommodation in Tuscany, you can get in touch with our local travel expert who will make sure you get to experience the best of this beautiful wine region of Italy.