Spring break in Tuscany: Where we stayed, what we ate, and why we're still full. And, some new music for May.

Plus, a bit of This & That.

Campo alla Donna

It's truly incredible how close everything in Italy is and how much diversity in food, landscape, and even language you find just a short drive away. For the boys' spring break, we made our way north of Rome to stay with our best friends from Turin at a beautifully renovated villa, Campo alla Donna, located just outside the charming Tuscan village of Lajatico, where Andrea Bocelli was born.

The drive through this region, even under cloudy skies and sprinkles of rain, is breathtaking. Rolling green hills stretch as far as the eye can see, grapevines reach for the sunlight, and rows upon rows of olive trees sway in the wind. It actually reminds me a lot of the landscape in California's Napa and Sonoma valleys back when André and I used to take long drives through wine country before we had kids. Beauty everywhere you look.

The villa, once an ancient farmhouse, sits atop one of these rolling hills, surrounded by cypress and olive trees, with sweeping views in every direction. It's the perfect place for families and groups of friends, as it sleeps thirteen, so there's plenty of space for everyone. And, the beds are very comfortable which is rare in Italy! Even though the weather wasn't on our side most days, we still had a wonderful time catching up, cooking delicious meals, and celebrating two birthdays together. I made dishes like my springtime frittata and smothered cabbage, while Vika kept the kitchen buzzing with endless batches of matzo ball soup with homemade chicken broth and a two-tiered cake with buttercream frosting and rainbow sprinkles (the kids had the best time decorating it). We spent hours gathered around the kitchen table, having long conversations while the boys ran wild outside, playing soccer and exploring. And next time we visit, hopefully we'll get more sunny days so we can enjoy the pool!

Each day, we ventured out to one of the small nearby towns for lunch. So many beautiful spots are just a short drive from the villa including San Gimignano, San Miniato, Volterra, Siena, and Lucca. We also popped into Lajatico whenever we needed fresh bread, milk, or cookies. It was a perfect spot for a family getaway. To learn more about this Airbnb Rental, click here.

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A Roundup of Where We Ate in Tuscany

Most days, it was raining, so we didn't get to spend much time walking around the towns, but we did manage to eat and drink…a lot.