Tales from Two Regions: A Luxury Journey Through Tuscany & Umbria

My recent journey through Tuscany and Umbria took me to three exceptional properties: Castello Di Reschio, Vocabolo Moscatelli Boutique Hotel and Monteverdi. Each destination offered a unique take on luxury, hospitality and regional charm. They all proudly displayed the best of what central Italy has to offer. Here is an overview of my experiences at these properties. I would love to help you experience one or all of them too!

Casatello Di Reschio (Umbria)

Nestled in the rolling hills of Umbria, Reschio is a meticulously restored 1,000-year-old estate that exudes understated luxury. Surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and forested landscapes, it’s a true escape into nature — a truly magical property.

The estate has 36 uniquely designed suites and eight private villas (with four to six bedrooms), which seamlessly blend historic architecture with a touch of contemporary design. Each villa features original stone walls, locally designed and handcrafted furniture and private pools overlooking the Umbrian countryside.

Reschio's restaurant, Ristorante Al Castello, serves farm-to-table dishes inspired by local traditions. Breakfast was both stunning and delicious. (I know European breakfasts are great, but breakfast at Reschio was next-level!) Every meal is a celebration of freshly sourced ingredients paired with exceptional wines, some produced on the estate. Tip: Try their Amaro! It was so good, I bought a bottle to bring home.

Reschio offers an abundance of activities. Guests can enjoy horseback riding, truffle hunting, fabric dying, olive oil tasting or guided tours of the estate’s ancient castle and wine cellar, just to name a few. The spa, housed in the estate’s former wine cellar, is stunningly unique and feels like a luxurious step back in time. It offers treatments inspired by Umbrian botanicals foraged on property. Reschio is perfect for travelers seeking a serene, intimate retreat, with a focus on authenticity and elegance. No need to worry about a lack of things to do. Reschio offers something for everyone.

Vocabolo Moscatelli Boutique Hotel (Umbria)

Located in a charming village, Vocabolo is a boutique property that brings contemporary comfort with a side of Umbrian hospitality. It feels more like a hidden gem than a grand estate, offering friendly service in a cozy atmosphere. You'll feel like a guest in a friend's beautiful home in the best possible way. Vocabolo is situated approximately an hour and 45 minutes from Florence and two hours and 30 minutes from Rome.

The rooms at Vocabolo are modern yet warm, spacious and full of natural materials and thoughtful details like locally made tiles in the bathrooms, each suite using a different color tile. Large windows offer views of the surrounding hills. And the bathtubs will be calling your name the second you lay eyes on them. Some suites have bathtubs located on outside private terraces and are usable year round.

Vocabolo's restaurant offers a modern take on Umbrian cuisine. We were treated to the most beautiful surprise dinner inside of their historic chapel where we had the pleasure of dining with the owners. (The sweetest couple originally from Switzerland.) The dishes were creative without straying too far from traditional flavors. The wine selection included some standout local wines that I loved. While I only had time for a quick breakfast, the freshly baked croissant, homemade jam and European butter with a side of delicious freshly brewed tea were the perfect start to my day.

Guests of Vocabolo are encouraged to immerse themselves in local life, with activities like pasta-making classes, pottery making with a local artist in their chapel, truffle hunting, forest bathing (I'm definitely trying this next time), market visits (they were setting up for a Christmas market on our last day) and wine tastings in nearby towns. But you might decide Vocabolo is just too good to leave. You are sure to make friends with the owners or other guests sitting around the communal corten steel fire pit.

Vocabolo is an intimate boutique property ideal for travelers who want a stylish yet approachable base to explore Umbria. It would be the perfect spot for a buyout to celebrate a wedding, milestone birthday or special occasion with friends and loved ones.

Monteverdi (Tuscany)

Monteverdi sits perched on top of a hill in the medieval village of Castiglioncello del Trinoro. It offers jaw-dropping views of the Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (The views were so stunning it was hard to believe they were real.) This property is a perfect blend of rustic charm and modern sophistication.

The rooms and villas combine historic architecture with contemporary design, featuring terracotta floors, wooden beams and luxurious amenities. Many of the suites' windows provided great views of the Tuscan countryside.

Monteverdi’s culinary program definitely stood out. The pastas were some of the best I had on my journey through the region. Oreade, the fine-dining restaurant, offers inventive dishes that celebrate local ingredients, while the wine bar serves an impressive selection of regional wines and a delicious lunch and dinner. (I ate there twice in one day, it was that good!)

There are many activities to take part in while staying at Monteverdi. From art classes and wine tastings to hiking through the Val d’Orcia, there’s something for every interest. Its musical programs are amazing, too, with concerts being held in the old chapel. The property’s spa, with its travertine-clad hot tub the size of a small pool and treatments inspired by Tuscan herbs, is a must-visit. Pro tip: book the couples' treatment room, which has gorgeous stone bathtubs (two of them!) outside overlooking the rolling hills.

Romantic and tranquil, Monteverdi feels like stepping into a dream. It is ideal for couples, art lovers and those seeking an immersive Tuscan experience with an artistic or musical flair.