Altarocca Wine Resort

Tuscany gets most of the attention, but the neighboring region of Umbria is just as beautiful, and blissfully low-key in comparison. Set amid vineyards and olive groves, Altarocca Wine Resort is a perfect place to base yourself while exploring the wineries and medieval hilltop villages — or to stay put and do next to nothing. This luxury hotel has it all: two gorgeous outdoor swimming pools and a third pool located inside a modern spa, an excellent restaurant focused on seasonal slow food, a wine cellar open for tastings, and meticulously landscaped grounds laced with footpaths around the estate’s orchards and gardens.

A trio of handsomely restored villas house the guest rooms and suites. Some have vaulting wood-beamed ceilings and canopy beds, others have terra cotta flooring and private balconies facing views of the Duomo of Orvieto; all are classically elegant with rustic-chic accents. Breakfast, served on a terrace with views of the countryside, is a picturesque start to the day, followed by a leisurely poolside bistro lunch with wine pairings. And for dinner, Altarocca turns up the glamour: its Invinum Gourmet restaurant makes culinary art from the finest Umbrian ingredients, including, naturally, olive oil and wine produced on site.