WHEN TUSCANS LIFT A GLASS of their beloved Brunello di Montalcino and say, “Salute” — “To your health” — they truly mean it. Their lifestyle is built around food, wine and restorative traditions. Nestled among postcard-perfect hill towns are thermal springs once frequented by Etruscans, Romans and medieval pilgrims heading toward Rome.
Today those springs have been transformed into elegant spa resorts offering modern comforts the ancient Romans would have admired. These resorts make excellent bases for exploring Tuscany on foot or by bike, and many provide full health-and-wellness programs for guests seeking an extended retreat.
An enoteca, or wine cellar, in Montalcino © LEJOCH | DREAMSTIME.COM
Tuscany sits at the heart of Italy, with Pisa, Florence and Siena forming a triangle of iconic destinations. Vine-lined roads connect hill towns where you can taste the region’s celebrated wines: Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
The landscape is dotted with medieval towers, vineyards and poppy-speckled fields. Enter San Gimignano and you feel transported to the 13th century; this UNESCO World Heritage site still preserves thirteen of its original towers, giving a rare sense of history in stone.
Each hill town offers its own personality and past. Volterra showcases Etruscan and Roman heritage; Montepulciano reveals Renaissance patronage and architecture; Montalcino sits protected within well-preserved 12th-century walls. In Arezzo you can discover works by Renaissance masters without the crowds found in Florence and Siena.
Beyond sightseeing, Tuscany is an ideal region for relaxing with friends or family. Rent a farmhouse or villa, indulge in a spa retreat, or choose an active holiday of cycling or walking. The scenery makes every activity more rewarding.
Old thermal baths in the medieval village of Bagno Vignoni © ROBERT ZEHETMAYER | DREAMSTIME.COM
Between Montepulciano and Montalcino, Adler Thermae Resort and Spa was an early innovator in building a five-star hotel around ancient thermal springs. With more than 120 treatments and a multidisciplinary staff that includes physicians, the resort offers programs in relaxation, beauty, weight management and complementary medicine, centered on Bagno Vignoni’s healing waters.
The family-owned resort has also planted a vineyard and produces organic Sangiovese wines. Guests can tour the vineyard on foot or by bike, attend tastings and take hands-on cooking classes to learn traditional dishes such as focaccia and tiramisu.
San Giuliano Terme, near Pisa, has 100-degree springs appreciated since Etruscan and Roman times. The Grand Duke of Tuscany once built his summer palace here; today the elegant Bagni di Pisa hotel and spa offers medical and aesthetic treatments, Eastern medicine, fitness programs, massages, detox and weight-loss plans, and signature Salus per Aquam therapies.
Bagni di Pisa is also known for thermal mud treatments created from local clay and warm spring water, effective for muscle and joint discomfort. The spa’s Dei Lorena Restaurant emphasizes organic, locally sourced ingredients.
Grotta Giusti, located between Florence and Pisa, and Bagni di Pisa both participate in an Equilibrium wellness program that ranges from three days to a full week. The program combines a microbiotic diet, nutritional coaching, cooking lessons, fitness classes, thermal treatments and relaxation therapies. Grotta Giusti’s 19th-century villa contains Europe’s largest thermal cave, offering a distinctive spa experience.
Opened recently, the five-star Il Castelfalfi Resort occupies a 2,700-acre estate near a medieval village between Florence and Volterra. In addition to the Armonia spa, the resort features indoor and outdoor pools, a bio-sauna, hammam, hydro-massage and a fitness center. Its 27-hole golf course is the largest in Tuscany, and the mild climate allows play for much of the year.
The Tuscan countryside invites exploration on foot. Walking routes and ancient tracks form an extensive network, ideal for shared adventures with friends or family. Several outfitter companies design detailed itineraries so you can focus on the experience and scenery.
Specialist tour operators offer a variety of active itineraries. One program combines the Cinque Terre with lesser-known stretches of northern Tuscany, following pilgrimage paths to abbeys and fortified villages while staying in Lucca. Another links Tuscan hill towns with Umbrian highlights—Montalcino, Pienza, Assisi and Spello—mixing walking with wine and cooking experiences.
Bicyclists in the old, narrow streets of Lucca © HENRIK STOVRING | DREAMSTIME.COM
The Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage route to Rome, threads through Tuscany’s hills. Walking operators run multi-day trips along sections of this route, connecting medieval villages with Renaissance Siena.
Cycling lets you cover greater distances while staying close to the landscape. Self-guided bicycle tours supply bicycles, B&B lodging, airport transfers, luggage transport, route notes and maps—so you supply the pedal power and enjoy the ride at your own pace.
For a skill-focused holiday, consider programs that combine daily Pilates, language lessons or immersive cooking, painting and photography classes. These stays often include accommodation, meals, local wine, private instruction and excursions to nearby towns.
For the ultimate private experience, rent a fully staffed villa for family and friends. Many luxury villa providers offer historic farmhouses updated for comfort, private pools, house staff and concierge service to arrange activities such as windsurfing, farm-to-table cooking or a Chianti wine spa treatment.
Tuscany Info to Go
Galileo Galilei Airport in Pisa is Tuscany’s main international gateway and lies roughly a 40-minute drive west of Florence. Taxi fares vary by destination; booking a rental car in advance is recommended for the greatest flexibility when touring the region.
Where to Stay in Tuscany
ADLER THERMAE RESORT Each luxury room and suite has a private balcony or terrace with views over the Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. A Kids’ Club provides daily programs of games, wellness activities and supervised fun. Strada di Bagno Vignoni 1, San Quirico d’Orcia $$$$$
BAGNI DI PISA Enjoy 18th-century ambience with frescoed ceilings and Carrara marble bathrooms; some rooms offer views toward the Leaning Tower. The Dei Lorena Restaurant highlights local organic produce. Largo Percy Bysshe Shelley 18, San Giuliano Terme, Pisa $$$$
IL CASTELFALFI Built from local wood and stone and heated by central biomass using estate wood chips, this new hotel blends sustainability with luxury. 50050 Montaione, Castelfalfi, Florence $$$$
Restaurants in Tuscany
LUNASIA Perched on an upper floor with sea views, this Michelin-starred restaurant pairs a refined tasting menu with a memorable setting. Piazza Massimo d’Azeglio 1, Viareggio $$$$–$$$$$
RISTORANTE DA PODE A beautifully restored farmhouse with rustic beams and terracotta floors, offering refined takes on traditional Tuscan dishes. Località Sovestro 63, San Gimignano $$$–$$$$
TOSCA Located at Castello di Casole, this restaurant emphasizes local ingredients such as truffles, wild boar and Chianina beef, presenting classic dishes with careful technique. Località Querceto Casole d’Elsa, Siena $$$$