Romiti del Torrente

Such a beautiful place in rugged and off the beaten track Tuscany. Steven was an amazing host and went out of his way (literally!) to help us get around... He's also a wonderful cook and rustled up a delicious supper of traditional Tuscan food, which we enjoyed in his huge and homely kitchen. The monastery itself is beautifully renovated, yet still steeped in history. We spent a lovely couple of days here, as a family of four, in October on a train trip including Florence and Luca. It was a great dip into slower travel before and after the buzz of the city.

Travelling to and arriving at I Romiti del Torrente feels like a journey through time and space to another world, another era, another reality. It is enchanting and magical. It is a journey through time into deep history yet at the same time one is embraced by a contemporary sense of comfort, safety and refuge. The location is amazing, the rooms are very comfortable and the chapel is inspiring. Wow!

This was our first major stop on a road trip across Italy. It is not the easiest place to reach, but the effort was amply repaid. Steve has expended considerable thought and effort in resurrecting an Augustinian monastery and reimagining its original purpose in the modern age. If you crave tranquility after a long slog through COVID, then this should be high on your list of places to visit. This was one of the best bed and breakfasts that I have ever stayed at.

I Romiti is a simply beautiful place. Visiting in October, we had lovely sunshine with stunning views down the hillside and local porcini and chestnuts. Steven is a brilliant host. His cooking, along with the delicious wine, is fantastic and highly recommended. There are hillside walks on the doorstep and other interesting places to visit nearby but it was also lovely to just relax in this wonderful, peaceful setting.