Tuscany - Il Bosco
The local area
Beautiful, breath-taking Tuscany. Often considered a nation within a nation, with its own cultural and linguistic identity. A landscape of undulating hills dotted with olive groves, cypress trees and vineyards, and home to renowned cities such as Florence, Siena and Lucca.
Our luxury villas are the perfect base from which to roam the region, blending rich Italian culture with unparalleled luxury.
The History of Tuscany
Echoes of the Etruscan civilisation and ancient Roman Empire reverberate throughout Tuscany in impressive ruins such as Rusellae and Cosa, while pretty medieval villages let you travel through the intervening centuries. Most famously, Tuscany is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and this high culture is on display across the museums, cathedrals, city squares and sculptures of the region, especially in the extraordinary city of Florence. Set in historic landscapes that have inspired generations of the most accomplished artists, our Tuscan villas allow you to experience the region's rich history with the utmost ease and indulgence.
What to See and Do in Tuscany
The unique appeal of Tuscany is that it offers an experience of life at its most luxurious in the beautiful Italian sunshine. Whether you're daydreaming over Renaissance art or unwinding with a perfect glass of Chianti, our luxury villas only add to this sensory indulgence. Among the must-sees, the art gallery Uffizi in Florence contains a world famous collection of work by Botticelli, Giotto, Cimabue, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raffaello.
Tuscany offers a truly stunning backdrop to your Italian adventures, with islands in the Tuscan Archipelago, sandy coastline on the Tyrrhenian Sea, natural hot springs and mountain views in the Alpuan Alps. You can relax in spa towns such as Montecatetini Terme - a historic town that exhibits Art Nouveau thermal pools and bathhouse - and Fonteverde Spa, which has striking views across the World Heritage Site, Val d'Orcia.
Hot springs are also found in the wilderness with the Petriolo thermal pool hot enough to be enjoyed in winter, and Fosso Bianco, located in a wooded, shady spot that's perfect for the summer warmth.
Eating and Drinking in Tuscany
Italian cuisine is world famous, but the beautiful food of Tuscany stands out due to its' unique and wonderful produce. The people of Tuscany love bread, and Fettunta - toasted bread rubbed with garlic and olive oil - encapsulating the simplicity of Italian pleasures. Panzanella and Ribolita are other delicious dishes that sum up the region, as is the chicken liver pâté - brightened with capers and anchovy paste - which opens every celebratory meal in Tuscany.
In the mountains of Tuscany, chestnut trees result in Castagnaccio, a unique chestnut cake that's drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with rosemary, an authentic dish that's well worth trying. Tuscany is also Italy's most ancient wine region with centuries of expertise in every bottle, offering the best wine to accompany every meal. A visit to the family-run estate Tenuta di Ghizzano will see you sampling the estate wines like Nambrot, Ghizzana and Vereroso.
The Experience
Borgo San Jacopo
Advance Booking Required
A beautiful and elegant Michelin star Florentine restaurant with a romantic riverside setting,...
Trattoria Donnini
A quaint little restaurant full of character. The menu is typical of local Tuscan cuisine with...
Restaurant 588 at Borgo I Vicelli
Restaurant 588 is a wonderful restaurant set in the Chianti hills. Enjoy traditional Tuscan...
Trattoria La Gargotta
A typical rustic Florentine restaurant with an outside terrace to enjoy the view of Florence...
Gelateria "Perche' no!"
Dating back to 1939, Perché no! is one of the eldest and most famous ice-cream shops in...
Toscani Da Sempre
Advance Booking Required
This amazing family run restaurant is situated in the old town of Pontassieve only 15 minutes...
Flo Lounge Bar
During the summer months (May to September), Flo Lounge Bar is open and has spectacular views...
Lounge Bar La Terrazza
La Terrazza is a panoramic lounge bar open during the summer months. This trendy cocktail bar...
Parco Avventura Il Gigante
Parco Avventura is close to Florence offering 18 courses for adults, teens and children from 3...
Pinocchio Museum
Famous as home to Pinocchio, Collodi has an extensive theme park based around the wooden toy....
San Ranieri/Luminaria Festival, Pisa
For a truly magical and illuminating night, head over to Pisa for the evening. In June...
Skip the line - Uffizi Academy & Gallery
Advance Booking Required
The famous Uffizi Gallery built between 1560 and 1580 to a design by Giorgio Vasari has one of...
Florence
Advance Booking Required
This absolutely stunning city will amaze you with its picturesque offerings. Soft terracotta...
Lucca
This is Italy's most charming ancient walled city. Of particular note are the churches San...
Siena
Surrounded by olive groves and the vineyards of Chianti, Siena is one of the most beautiful...
Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the best known landmarks. Construction began in the middle...
Volterra
Advance Booking Required
The walled town of Volterra sits on a hill between the River Era and River Cecina. Originally...
Golf Club dell'Ugolino
Advance Booking Required
Golf Club dell'Ugolino is an 18 hole, 5676m long, par 72 natural course which was built in...
La Pavoniere Golf & Country Club
Advance Booking Required
Le Pavoniere Golf and Country Club is an 18-hole golf course designed by world famous player,...
Poggio Dei Medici Golf Club
Advance Booking Required
Poggio dei Medici Golf Club is an 18 hole, 6397m, par 73 championship course designed by...
Hiking and Walking
Tuscany's gentle landscape offers some great hikes across beautiful rolling countryside. Or...
Bike Hire
Explore Florence and Tuscany by bicycle taking in the beautiful hills, fields and villages as...
Acqua Village
Driving to the coast, a day of adventure at the Acqua Village in Cecina Mare is a good option...
Horseriding "Vallebona"
Advance Booking Required
For over 20 years the experienced Franco Melis runs the Vallebona horseriding stables offering...
Grotto Giusti Thermal Spa
Advance Booking Required
One of the most unique spas in Italy can be found in Monsummano Terme, close to the famous spa...
Cantina Antinori Chianti Classico
Advance Booking Required
When staying at Il Bosco near Florence, we can highly recommend spending a long morning...
Guided Tour of Florence
Advance Booking Required
We spent a wonderful afternoon with Samuele Socci (aka "Sam the Guide") who took us on a...
Hot Air Ballooning
Advance Booking Required
What better way to see this most breath-taking area of Italy? This would make for an extremely...
Light Aircraft Rides
Advance Booking Required
Take a ride from a small airport (one passenger per ride). Take a glimpse of the Tuscan...
Volpaia Cooking Class
Advance Booking Required
In the oldest part of the Medieval village which is still protected by the castle walls we...
Tuscany by Vespa
Advance Booking Required
See the Tuscan landscape from the saddle of an iconic Italian Vespa. Itineraries should...
Wine tasting in your villa
Advance Booking Required
Sit back and relax with wine tasting in your own home. For details please ask your Personal...
Sourdough and pizza making morning
Advance Booking Required
Francesco hosted us for a sourdough and pizza making morning at the farm at Barbialla Nuova....
Prada Outlet (Space)
Prada retail outlet has a great selection of clothing, shoes and accessories with great...
Shopping in Florence
Florence's answer to New York's Fifth Avenue is Via dei Tornabuoni where you will find...
The Mall Luxury Outlet
The Florence Mall outlet offers many luxury brands including Gucci, Armani, Fendi, Balenciaga,...
Fattoria di Maiano
Advance Booking Required
The OIL MILL visit at Fattoria di Maiano is a special experience to discover how the precious...
La Quercia Cooking Studio
Advance Booking Required
The cooking studio is a cottage that used to be the abstract painter Francesco Clemente's...
Castello del Trebbio
Advance Booking Required
Located in Rufina, Chianti, the Castle offers wine tasting and a combination of Florence...
Vincanto
Advance Booking Required
Located in the beautiful piazza di Santa Maria Novella, Vincanto offers seasonal dishes and...
Acqua Cheta
Advance Booking Required
For seafood lovers, the quality of the dishes and family atmosphere are their strenght.
Buca Mario
Advance Booking Required
For over one hundred years travellers have come here, to the heart of Florence, from all over...
Trattoria Antico Forno Villamagna
Advance Booking Required
Authentic Tuscan Restaurant
Palazzo Castri
Advance Booking Required
Do not miss the chance to recharge your batteries in our cosy spa, which has a large...
La Cantinetta Di Rignana
Advance Booking Required
A journey into the memory of Tuscan taste to discover ancient flavors, a cuisine as a clear...
Gucci Osteria di Massimo Bottura
Advance Booking Required
At Gucci Osteria we don't have ambitions to be gardeners; neither to have a roof top or a...
Il Borro Bistro
Advance Booking Required
The restaurant is the perfect balance between simplicity and research. With its informal yet...
Gilda Forte Dei Marmi
Advance Booking Required
Our ristorante serves an assortment of only the finest seafood, daily caught fish and typical...
Osteria del Borro
Advance Booking Required
This is a gourmet restaurant in the heart of the hamlet, offers a range of dishes meant to...
Enoteca Pinchiorri
Advance Booking Required
3* Michelin Fine dining restaurant with artfully plated dishes inspired by Tuscan tradition,...
Osteria Permalico
Advance Booking Required
Relaxed restaurant serving traditional local dishes & wine in a cozy, brick-lined dining...
Wine Tour - Chianti
Advance Booking Required
Discover Chianti with an arranged tour of the best wineries in the area.
Il Quartino - Frescobaldi
Advance Booking Required
Tuscan country bistro that serves locally sourced food, with great service, a fantastic view...
Truffle Hunting with Giulio
Advance Booking Required
Giulio is an experienced truffle hunter since 1999 that lives only 15 minutes drive from our...
Gattavecchi Winery
Advance Booking Required
Indulge in the breathtaking panoramic views of Val di Chiana and the Chiesa di San Biagio as...
Rafting near Lucca
Advance Booking Required
If you love rafting you can't leave Tuscany without having experienced rafting in the green...
Tandem Paragliding near Lucca
Advance Booking Required
Experience the thrill of paragliding by flying tandem with pilots from the World Cup circuit...
Sports driving test in a McLaren Artura at the Mugello International Circuit
Advance Booking Required
The package includes a track driving experience in a McLaren Artura, speeding for as many laps...
At dinner with Caterina de’Medici
Advance Booking Required
Delight yourself with a dinner in your Villa coming straight from the Renaissance.
...Livorno: Behind-the-Scenes Culinary Experience
Advance Booking Required
This tour is for those of you who want to go behind the scenes to learn the secrets of...
Truffle Hunt with Giulio
Advance Booking Required
Experience a half day with the expert of truffles, Giulio. You get to accompany him and his
City Center & Artisan Workshop Tour
Advance Booking Required
One of the things that makes Florence so unique are the master artisans still working to...
Michelangelo & The Medici
Advance Booking Required
No family has influenced the development of Florence more than the Medici.
Not only did...
Paint and Wine
Advance Booking Required
Create your own work of art and drink great wine, in the heart of Florence. Choose the theme...
Private Barchetto Night Tour on the river Arno
Advance Booking Required
Enjoy Florence from a different point of view. Accompanied by a Renaiolo (the Barchetto...
Experience the Magic of Tuscany from a Hot Air Balloon
Advance Booking Required
Get a bird's-eye view of the Tuscan countryside on this hot air balloon flight. Departing...