After our coastal adventures in Cinque Terre, we headed inland for the slower, softer pace of Tuscany. We checked into a peaceful farm stay surrounded by rolling hills, cypress trees, and that golden countryside light Tuscany is famous for.
On our first evening, we checked in to our farm stay in the Siena countryside. Wyatt loved seeing the chickens and horses in the farm! He even chased them around for a bit. After checking in, we drove downtown for dinner at Papei Trattoria—a classic spot tucked near the city’s historic center. Getting there was half the adventure (Dillon accidentally drove us down the narrowest little street), but the food was worth it along with the violin show at the end of our meal. When heading back, we caught a breathtaking full moon rising over the fields—it felt like a scene from a movie.
The next day was filled with scenic stops and countryside charm. We drove around Tuscany with a car we rented. We stopped to catch a panoramic view of Agriturismo Baccoleno and the sweeping landscapes of Crete Senesi, which truly looked like a painted postcard. We grabbed a quick lunch in the car near Cipressi di San Quirico, then spent the afternoon strolling through the elegant La Foce Gardens. Before sunset, we pulled off near Castello Banfi to snap some photos in the vineyards—I wore this dreamy white corset dress and it felt so romantic against the Tuscan hills.
Tips for Visiting Tuscany (Especially With a Toddler!)
- Stay at a countryside agriturismo (farm stay). It’s peaceful, affordable, and toddler-friendly. Plus you get the local experience!
- Rent a car—you’ll want flexibility for spontaneous scenic stops.
- Siena is a great small city to explore with less hustle than Florence.
- Visit Crete Senesi, Pienza, and Val d’Orcia for iconic hilltop views and cypress-lined roads.
- La Foce Gardens is a must for lovers of garden design and quiet elegance.
- Don’t stress about fancy meals—some of our favorite bites were picnic-style in the car with our son. But if you do want to have a fancy meal, you can visit Ristorante La Taverna di San Giuseppe if you are in downtown Siena. Just make sure to book a reservation in advance!
If I were to visit again, I would:
- Get the world-famous gelato at Gelateria Dondoli in Piazza della Cisterna
- Visit a winery (which was a little hard to do with a toddler this time around)
Tuscany invites you to slow down, soak it all in, and let your itinerary breathe. Whether you’re traveling with kids or just dreaming of a quiet escape, this region is full of beauty around every corner. Hope you guys enjoyed this little trip recap, and if you decide to visit Tuscany, comment below what you loved about it!
XO,
Jessica Turner
Thank you for this! It answered all my questions in one place.