Few things rival a few days of food and wine tasting in northern Tuscany. I spent several days sampling regional wines, enjoying local specialties and soaking in peaceful spa moments — a welcome escape from a gray mid-February in Philadelphia. My base was the Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa, set on a sweeping estate with views over the Serchio Valley. From there I explored lesser-known Tuscan gems including Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Barga, Pisa and Lucca, balancing day trips with time spent at the resort.
Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa offers more than comfortable accommodations: updated guestrooms and suites, two pools, varied on-site dining options, a spacious fitness center and over 18,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Whether traveling as a couple, with family or in a larger group, the property suits many needs. During my off-season visit, corporate groups were also in residence, taking advantage of the resort’s meeting facilities and incentive offerings. The location is ideal for exploring the region or for staying on property and joining curated activities arranged by the hotel.
The resort helped organize several excursions, including a day trip to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower and a visit to nearby Podere Concori Winery for an intimate tasting of biodynamic wines. One of the highlights was taking part in the resort’s culinary experience with its chefs. On a foggy Saturday morning, the executive chef and the pastry chef escorted me through Barga’s market to select fresh, seasonal ingredients. Back at the resort we prepared a multi-course lunch together; guests can customize the menu. I chose eggplant Parmesan, spinach ravioli, fried zucchini blossoms and a fresh fruit tart, all made from scratch under the chefs’ guidance.
Indoor pool © RENAISSANCE TUSCANY
Relaxation was a central part of my stay. The resort’s spa, intimate in scale, feels exclusive and personal. Treatments use authentic, regional ingredients sourced from the Serchio Valley — lavender, rosemary, chamomile, mint, olive oil, chestnut honey and grapes — which add a local touch to facials, massages, scrubs, wraps and hair removal services. Signature options include a bio treatment that combines eco-biological ingredients for antioxidant, anti-aging and moisturizing benefits through face and body masks, targeted massage work and specialized creams. The Wine Therapy ritual blends wine, lemon juice and grape pomace and concludes with a glass of red, celebrating the area’s winemaking tradition.
I’m partial to massages and booked treatments at the start and end of my five-day stay. On my first full day, returning from sightseeing, I chose a full-body moisturizing honey massage. The treatment let me select an essence — gold, lavender or rose — and I picked rose. The small locker room was functional with shower amenities, though it offered less privacy than larger facilities. The treatment room itself was simple and calming, decorated in cool beige tones with a striking black-and-white artwork that caught my eye each visit. A few days later I returned to the same therapist for another session and felt the same easy relaxation.
On my final day I opted for a 50-minute head, neck and shoulder massage. After days of exploring the countryside, the focused scalp and face work was especially soothing. After treatments, guests are invited to linger in a second-level relaxation area lined with cozy lounge chairs facing a wall of windows that frame the valley and distant mountains. Watching the view while letting the lingering effects of a spa treatment settle in was a perfect way to end each spa visit. Both sessions delivered deep relaxation and a sense of restoration.
Set amid Tuscany’s storybook scenery, the Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa proved an ideal spot to unwind, taste regional flavors and explore the surrounding towns. The blend of thoughtful amenities, curated experiences and genuine local ingredients made my winter escape feel restorative and memorable.
RENAISSANCE TUSCANY IL CIOCCO RESORT & SPA
Via Giovanni Pascoli Castelvecchio Pascoli Barga, Lucca 55051 Italy tel 39 0583 7691