For those of you looking for a cozy, breathtaking escape, look no further than Monteverdi Tuscany. I had the privilege of joining my parents at the villa for what turned out to be one of the most restful, delicious and rejuvenating vacations that I have had in years.

The exquisitely restored villas and boutique hotel sit peacefully in the village of Castiglioncello del Trinoro, Tuscany. Each room is completely unique, some boasting different features like beautiful high wood-beamed ceilings, copper tubs, and even private gardens. Located between Rome and Florence, Monteverdi is a retreat for the mind and the senses with views of a vineyard and rolling hills. While the area is famous for its beautiful surroundings, it’s the architecture and interior design (by one of the most famous in Rome Ilaria Miani) that define this magical place and sets it apart from others. Basically, everything on the property is an Instagram-worthy scene. Materials were taken from abandoned farmhouses and the exterior is kept to blend with the countryside, while the interior is modern and soothing.

And then there’s the food and wine. Cocktail hour starts anytime you want in a small bar that overlooks the Val d’Orcia valley. Executive Chef Giancarla Bodoni specializes in organic, local and sustainable foods. She was a pioneer in the field long before it became so common. The menus are interesting and every bite has been unreal. BUT – What I love about Giancarla is that she can create something totally custom. Unique requests are no big deal for Chef Giancarla. The experience of ordering was almost like collaborating with the person behind the kitchen doors to create your own meal. My Dad and I had her do this for us the past few nights, and it was unlike anything I’ve ever done before. I told her what I wanted and didn’t want, and I left it up to her to create something completely unique to me.

One of the highlights was the unbelievable beauty treatment that I had at the newly opened spa. My mom and I had the pleasure of working with this amazing women named Martina. We both agreed that she was quite gifted. I selected Scent of Lavender, a 100-minute scrub treatment that turned out to be one of the most amazing treatments I’ve ever had. No joke. My skin was prepped with rosewater which led to a full-body lavender scrub, naturally removing outer layers of skin. A variety of lavender oils, fresh lavender and creams from Santa Maria Novella (a beautiful Italian line) were used to get the job done. The serene energy of the spa was unreal. There were even two outdoor baths made of stone and copper that overlooked the beautiful countryside. My mom and I rested there to sip tea while our bodies detoxed.

As you can tell, I got so cozy while at Monteverdi. I wanted to spend the entire day enjoying the serene and rustic atmosphere. But there was also so much to see outside of the property, like the tailor made experiences offered by the hotel. My family and I went on this amazing 4-mile hike through the Tuscan countryside. We drove through the surrounding villages and explored the local flavor.

I hope you all have a chance to visit this area someday. I’m already planning my trip back!

For more travel inspiration, follow me (on Snapchat @anabel_atkinson and Instagram) as I continue on my European adventure. Next stop London!