TUSCANY
To mark my 36th birthday, we spent a couple of days immersed in the quiet beauty of Tuscany at The Borgo Santo Pietro — a place that felt less like a hotel and more like a living, breathing expression of everything I hold dear. Rooted in the heart of Tuscany, this 13th-century villa-turned-estate sits on 300 acres of organically cultivated land, where a working farm, artisan dairy, herbal apothecary, and expansive gardens come together in seamless harmony. From housemade cheeses and sound baths to slow mornings with the happiest chickens I’ve ever seen, every detail felt thoughtful and alive. We wandered gardens on vintage bikes, tasted walnut ice cream beneath the trees, and spent an afternoon truffle hunting through the woods with a spirited dog named Dora. It was a place where time slowed down, the senses woke up, and everything — absolutely everything — was intentional.
Breakfast Delights: Mornings at Borgo began with a spread that felt like a love letter from the land — an extravagant buffet of pastries and housemade items, cheeses made from their sheep and cows, omelets prepared with eggs from their truly happy chickens, seasonal fruits, and vibrant fresh-pressed juices, just to name a few.
On our final day, with an early departure ahead, the team kindly offered to bring breakfast up to our room as we prepared for checkout — a small gesture that made the stay even more special.
Exploring on Bicycles: Borgo provided these charming little bikes with picnic baskets, perfect for wandering the property’s expansive gardens and winding paths. We enjoyed herbs straight from the ground, stopped to say hello to the alpacas, and lingered in little corners of the farm that felt like our own secret discoveries.
Sound Bath Experience: One of the most serene experiences during our stay was the sound bath at The Herb House, Borgo Santo Pietro’s tranquil spa nestled within the estate’s lush gardens. Surrounded by aromatic herbs like rosemary, lavender, and peppermint, we were enveloped in nature’s calming scents as we embarked on a journey of deep relaxation. 
Walnut Ice Cream: The sweetest little ice cream tent tucked along a leafy pathway — stocked daily with housemade flavors crafted from ingredients grown right on the estate. The walnut ice cream, made from their own trees, was unforgettable: subtle & earthy. A quiet kind of flavor that lingers in the best way.
Truffle Hunters: The resort organized an exceptional truffle hunting excursion with Roberto, a truffle hunter with over 50 years of expertise and his superstar truffle hunting companion, Dora.🐾
We wandered through the Tuscan woods as Dora sniffed around oak trees and baked patches of earth trying to catch a scent. She was amazing and we were fortunate to find eight truffles.
When you find yourself in Tuscany — this experience is a must. It was so special. Proved to be one of our favorites by far.
La Piaggia: Post-hunt, we visited La Piaggia, where owner Silvia Vannucci graciously prepared an array of dishes highlighting our freshly found truffles. The simplicity of handmade pasta combined with butter, cheese, and aromatic truffles resulted in one of the most memorable meals of our trip. We also enjoyed a wine tasting, savoring the estate’s renowned wines, and brought back jars of their exquisite chestnut and wildflower honeys.
Rose Gardens and Natural Beauty: Strolling through Borgo Santo Pietro’s meticulously curated gardens, especially the fragrant rose gardens, was a sensory delight. The natural greenery, intertwined with vines and blooming flowers, created an atmosphere of tranquility and beauty, making it feel like a place one could happily retire to.
Dinner at Trattoria Sull’Albero: Designed around a large, spreading oak tree, this dinner felt like it belonged in a storybook — candlelight flickering under the branches, with views that stretched into the Valle Serena. The setting was rustic yet refined, like an elegant treehouse nestled in the hills. One of our favorite dishes was the Panzanella dell’orto — a humble, ancient salad made with marinated onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, basil, and torn bread. So simple, yet the addition of bread gave it a heartiness that made it unforgettable. And their aged balsamic? Still dreaming about it.
Dinner at Saporium Chiusdino — one of the most memorable meals of our stay. This on-property Michelin-starred restaurant is rooted in the same philosophy as the rest of Borgo — where nature, craftsmanship, and creativity meet. Chef Ariel Hagen prepared a fermented pasta dish with only two ingredients — fermented barley + edible flowers that completely blew us away. Simple, soulful, and technically brilliant — it was one of those plates that makes you pause mid-bite. Every course felt like an extension of the land around us: earthy, intentional, and deeply elegant.
Our time at Borgo Santo Pietro was nothing short of magical, offering a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and culinary excellence. It’s a destination that truly captures the essence of Tuscany, leaving us with memories to cherish for a lifetime.
*Every trip I take to a new country, I choose a new fragrance to wear throughout the trip. It becomes intertwined with the places, moments, and memories of that adventure. Whenever I wear it again, I’m instantly transported back to the travel memories. For this trip, I wore Tubereuse by Officine Universelle Buly — a scent that will forever remind me of Tuscany.