a travel guide by OUTLIERS for The Meliá Collection seen by Cecilia Renard
Tuscany is one of the most beloved destinations in the world. We’ve all seen countless images and heard stories of the stunning landscapes in this Italian region. However, when you experience Tuscany firsthand—driving through its scenic roads, savoring its exquisite food and wine, admiring its ever-changing colors, and smelling the fragrance of its flowers—you truly understand why so many have fallen in love with it.
We have curated a guide for The Meliá Collection that covers four enchanting parts
of Tuscany: Artimino, Firenze, Val d’Orcia, and Chianti. In this guide, you’ll find our top picks for the places that really made our trip special. From delicious local eats and charming family wineries to restaurants with stunning views, hidden shops, and historical sites. All of them are beautifully captured by Cecilia Renard, whose photographs will definitely inspire you to dream of your own Tuscan adventure.
Júlia Juste @outliersguide
ARTI
Discover Tenuta di Artimino, an enchanting retreat nestled in the noble heart of Tuscany. Immerse yourself in the timeless charm of this 1596 estate, commissioned by Ferdinando I De Medici. With its blend of history, art, and nature set among vineyards and olive groves, this 17thcentury haven radiates the authentic Tuscan allure. Experience the sense of home and charm within personalized luxury that defines Tuscany.
MINO
Our stay at Tenuta di Artimino, member of The Meliá Collection, was excellent. What we loved most about it was its location and rich history. Nestled on a hill with stunning views over vineyards, the estate boasts a remarkable past as it was once owned by the Medici family.
Conveniently located just 45 minutes from Florence, this hotel offers an excellent base for discovering the city and the region of Tuscany.
Sara, from the team at Tenuta di Artimino, opened the doors of Villa Ferdinanda for us. Discovering firsthand the history of this 16thcentury Medici property was a highlight of our trip. Over the centuries, many illustrious
people have passed within the walls of “La Ferdinanda” like Galileo Galilei or Leonardo da Vinci. We particularly loved the original frescos at the entrance of the Villa.
Lunch at Da Delfina, the iconic restaurant in Artimino, was the cherry on top of our trip. Carlo, the owner, who was born and raised in Artimino, is one of those people you remember for the rest of your life. He dedicated a good amount of time to explain the history of Artimino, showed us his mother Delfina’s recipes, and insisted that his restaurant “is not a restaurant, it’s an old house with a lot of history where they cook food.” The Fiori di zucca ripieni ai formaggi was the best dish we ate in Tuscany.
FIREN ZE
We wanted to discover the city beyond its famous historical sights. While the Galleria dell’Accademia, Galleria degli Uffizi, and the Duomo are undoubtedly must-see attractions in Florence, there are many other lesser-known yet equally captivating places to explore.
PLACES TO VISIT
Studio Galleria Romanelli Sculptures Gallery & Studio
Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte Church + Panoramic Views
Santo Spirito Church + Neighbourhood
Giardino delle Rose Rose Garden with Views
Views
Fotoautomática Photobooth
Giardino Boboli Park with
Giardino dell’Iris Iris Garden
Arno River Walk
Studio Galleria Romanelli
Studio Galleria Romanelli. The gallery is in Oltrarno, a vibrant area known for its artisan workshops and bohemian atmosphere. The Romanelli family has a long tradition of sculpture that dates back to the 19th century. The studio was established in 1860 by Pasquale Romanelli and it has been passed down through generations, continuing to produce and restore sculptures.
Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte. This beautiful church is located in one of Florence’s highest points, offering panoramic views of the city.
Santo Spirito. The area is known for its vibrant, local atmosphere, artisan workshops, and it’s a bit less touristy compared to the city center. I particularly loved the environment at piazza Santo Spirito and the iconic plain façade of its church.
My favourite cities in the world have one of these two: water (river or sea) and lots of green. And Firenze has both of them. Nestled in the heart of Tuscany, this city is beautifully situated along the banks of the Arno River, which adds a serene, picturesque quality to its urban landscape.
Arno River
Giardino Boboli
Florence is also renowned for its abundant green spaces. The city is dotted with beautiful gardens and parks that offer both locals and visitors a refreshing escape from the urban environment.
Giardino delle Rose. A charming spot, nestled on the slopes of the hill leading up to Piazzale Michelangelo.
Giardino dell’Iris. Garden dedicated to the city’s symbolic flower, the iris, located next to Piazzale Michelangelo.
Giardino Boboli. A historic park filled with sculptures and fountains offering breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding countryside.
Fotoautomática. Don’t leave Firenze without your analog photos at one of its photo booths. We went to the one at via dell’Agnolo.
FOOD & DRINKS
Caffè Gilli Breakfast
Il Santino Wine
Palazzo Guadagni (Loggia Roof Bar) Aperitivo
Cammillo Lunch
Il Santo Bevitore Dinner
Perché No!... Ice Cream
Caffè Gilli. The oldest café in the city. For centuries this has been the meeting point for artists, writers, intellectual people, celebrities… and it’s still a place for local encounters. I would recommend to sit here for a while tasting one of their famous pastries.
Cammillo. One of the most recommended restaurants in Firenze yet it didn’t disappoint us at all. The place feels very real, the waiters advised us really well (I love that). We had fritto di fiori di zucca, pecorino brulee con aceto balsamico di mele (a must!), tagliatelle al raggù, spaghetti alla carrettiera and tiramisù.
Go just before the sunset and make sure you book in advance.
Palazzo Guadagni (Loggia Roof Bar). Aperitivo at the terrace of a historical palace in Piazza Santo Spirito.
Perché No!... This little gelateria has been making artisanal ice cream since 1939. I went for pistacchio and nocciola (hazelnut). Perfection!
Il Santo Bevitore
recommend
Il Santo Bevitore. A very elegant yet casual place for dinner. I highly
having a glass of wine before dinner at Il Santino, which is just next door.
Trattoria Sostanza
Lunch / Dinner
La Gelatiera Ice cream
Antica Trattoria da Tito
Lunch / Dinner
Trattoria Sergio Gozzi Lunch
Semel Panini
S Forno Snack
Trattoria 13 Gobbi
Lunch / Dinner
Vivoli Ice cream
Cibrèo Trattoria
Lunch / Dinner
Vineria Sonora Aperitivo
I Fratellini Panini
SHOPS
L’Ippogrifo Stampe d’Arte Traditional Etchings
Bjork Concept Store
Giunti Odeon Librería e Cinema Bookstore inside a Cinema
Todo Modo Bookstore and Cafe
Luca Workshop Paintings and Antiques
AquaFlor Fragrance Shop
VAL D’ORCIA
The Val d’Orcia is exactly the idyllic postcard of Tuscany we all have in our minds. Located in the province of Siena, Val d’Orcia is renowed for its stunning landscapes with rolling hills, crypresses, charming medieval villages and vineyards.
One of the highlights of our trip to Tuscany was driving through the Val d’Orcia. The road offers spectacular views of the iconic yellow and green landscapes. So even if you spend a significant amount of time in the car, the journey through Val d’Orcia is totally worth it.
ROADTRIP
Monteriggioni Medieval Town
Pienza Town
Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta Yellow Fields and Church
Podere Il Casale Lunch
Sette di Vino Dinner
Bagno Vignoni Town with Thermal Waters
Monteriggioni. On our to Val d’Orcia we stopped in this small medieval town that is renowned for its well-preserved fortress and ancient walls that date back to the 13th century. The town was originally built by the Sienese as a defensive fortification against Florence.
Podere Il Casale. It’s a km0 restaurant serving products from its organic farm. Beyond its popular panoramic terrace overlooking Val d’Orcia, the true value of this project is their aim to respect and preserve the land.
Val d’Orcia
Podere Il Casale
Madonna di Vitaleta
Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta. This small chapel is one of the most iconic landmarks in Tuscany, yet we were very lucky to find only a few people visiting it. Most of them were riding bikes, which I would definitely consider doing in my next trip to Val d’Orcia.
The location of this “cappella” is breathtaking. It can be reached by a short walk from the nearest road, through this stunning yellow flower field. There is a bar right next to Madonna di Vitaleta where we had a drink admiring this idyllic scenary.
a hidden gem in Val
known by its unique thermal waters that have been used for their therapeutic properties since Roman times. We arrived there under the rain, which added a magical and charming atmosphere.
Bagno Vignoni. It’s
d’Orcia
Pienza
Pienza. We really liked Pienza because it offers a vibrant local life that sets it apart from other smaller, more tourist-centric towns in the region. Don’t forget to try and buy their renowed Pecorino cheese.
Beyond the lively atmosphere of Pienza, the highlight of our visit was dinner at Sette di Vino Authentic Tuscan cuisine, simple yet delicious menu, and welcoming atmosphere by the owner Luciano. Pecorino alla Griglia: Grilled Pecorino cheese, a specialty of Pienza, is a must-try.
Sette di Vino
CHI AN
A trip to Tuscany would not be complete without visiting the iconic Chianti wine region. This area is famous not only for its wine but also for its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and charming villages.
TI
THE WINE REGION
Antinori nel Chianti Classico Winery
Montefioralle
Village
Osteria Le Panzanelle
Lunch
Castello dei Rampolla
Winery
Il Guerrino Wine
Radda in Chianti
Town
Antinori nel Chianti Classico. We loved the contrast between the modern architecture of the winery and the 600 years winemaking tradition of the Antinori family.
Castello dei Rampolla. A family-owned estate, pioneer in the production of biodynamic wine. The family has owned the estate since 1739, which offers a unique opportunity to experience the mix of traditional winemaking and innovative, sustainable practices. Visits can be arranged by appointment.
Osteria Le Panzanelle. My favourite meal of the trip took place in Osteria Le Panzanelle. I will never forget their gnudi di ricotta, pannacotta and the creamiest chocolate cake. Warm hospitality, charming interiors and overall a wonderful atmosphere.
Montefioralle. One of the most picturesque and charming villages in Tuscany, with narrow streets and stone houses. We came across a group of young people who were drawing, which added a glimpse of magic to our visit.
Radda in Chianti. It offered a chance to experience the rhythms of local life. The town is filled with corners and hidden courtyards, fruits and vegetable markets and stunning views of the surroundings.
Montefioralle
Radda in Chianti
Il Guerrino. We watched the sunset from Il Guerrino in Montefioralle, enjoying a glass of Chianti Classico.
SAVE THE LIST IN YOUR GOOGLE MAPS
A travel Guide by OUTLIERS for The Meliá Collection
seen by Cecilia Renard
Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII, 1, 59015 Artimino PO, Italia. +39 055 875141 | artimino@melia.com | @artimino
