Good Food Reads: Valdirose

While planning my recent trip to Italy, I read everything I could get my hands on.  I was particularly interested in lodging, since my last trip to Italy was via a cruise where I didn’t need to worry about where we would stay.  As fate would have it, I stumbled upon a blog called Girl in Florence.  At the very, very bottom of her page on hotel recommendations in Florence, she recommended a B and B named Valdirose.  I clicked on the owner’s Instagram page and knew immediately that this was the place we were going to stay. Here is why…

Let me start by saying, Valdirose is not exactly in Florence.  As Florence is a small city with a LOT of people, this was fine by me.  Valdirose is located in Lastra a Signa, about 14km outside of Florence, a short 15 minute train ride into the beautiful Tuscan countryside.  It is in a beautiful Tuscan village, complete with restaurants and shops.  Lastra a Signa has a quiet beauty, a vibe where you just know relaxation can be attained.

The owners of Validrose, Paolo and Irene, are the most charming, warm, and gracious hosts.  We met Paolo at the gate and immediately felt at home (note: had we been paying attention he is more than happy to pick you and your luggage up from the train station…take him up on that…Valdirose is up a long hill!).  When we arrived, he first gave us a quick tour of the amazing property. The home has been in Irene’s family for years, and in fact her parents are still quite involved.  Valdirose has 6 rooms (5 single rooms of varying sizes and 1 suite). Downstairs, there is a grand entryway, a small kitchen where the magic happens, and an amazing breakfast area with both inside and outside seating. Upstairs there is both a shared space with seating and a beautiful covered deck with a view.

Paolo then continued to welcome us with a slice of cake (made fresh that morning) and coffee.  He sat down with us for a few minutes to determine if we needed any recommendations, to make sure we understood the trains, and to tell us about breakfast (we’ll get back to that in a bit).

Our room, which was upstairs (first floor for the Italians reading this) was beautiful and large with all of the touches that make Valdirose so special.  Irene’s style blends farmhouse with antiques in a way that is both tranquil and sophisticated. There are special details everywhere you look.  Our room also had an attached bathroom, which was quite large by Italian standards and had all of the amenities of home.

We ended up eating in Lastra a Signa two of the nights we were in Florence, because after wandering all day in the crowded streets of Florence, we wanted to be able to relax after eating (especially because dinner in Italy is late).  Both restaurant recommendations by Paolo were fabulous.  Antica Trattoria Sanesi was a traditional Tuscan restaurant with options for both pasta and grilled meats. Justin had a huge steak and I had ravioli, plus we ordered some grilled vegetable and Tuscan white beans.  Delicious!  Taglieri and Bicchieri was a newer restaurant featuring seafood, pasta and pizzas.  We shared salmon risotto, gnocchi and an Italian style “cheesecake”.  All of it was excellent.  Both restaurants were within walking distance of Valdirose!

After eating out, I enjoyed laying out on the beautiful covered deck.  From the deck you could see the twinkling lights of Florence. Although all of the rooms were booked the last night we were at Valdirose, we wouldn’t have even known it, as it remained quiet and peaceful.  Like having our own country house.

And what did I wake up to?  Roosters!  I kid you not, you can hear roosters from this magical place!  And waking up brings me to the most magical part of Valdirose (admittedly its hard to pick-it’s all magical)-BREAKFAST.  Paolo and Irene serve an Italian breakfast that is spectacular.  A breakfast of dreams.  They serve a homemade, fresh baked cake every morning.  Eggs are available-they make them to order!  Yogurt and granola is served with homemade jams to put on top.  Toast, yep that too!  Fresh fruit, orange juice, coffee, lattes, it is all available.  And sitting in the beautiful breakfast room, sharing a lazy breakfast with my husband in an amazing setting is exactly what vacation is all about.

If you are ever headed to Italy and looking for a place to stay near Florence, trust me, look to see if Valdirose has any availability.  And if you won’t be able to make it to Italy any time soon, at least check out their website and follow them on Instagram.  As for me?  I can’t wait to head back!

Valdirose. 35 Via Val di Rose, Lastra a Signa. 50055. Firenze Italy. +39.347.5451056. Valdirose.com/en

[SOME OF THE LINKS IN THIS POST ARE AFFILIATE LINKS AND WE WILL RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISSION IF YOU MAKE A PURCHASE AFTER CLICKING ON OUR LINK. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR WORK HERE AT WITH TWO SPOONS!]  I did not receive any compensation for this post about this fabulous place, I loved Valdirose so much I wanted to make sure you knew about it too!

Get the look of Valdirose!

A Life Less Ordinary by Zoe Ellison and Allison Legendre. Irene had this book upstairs in the sitting room.  I was immediately obsessed.

Stovetop Espresso Maker for a truly European cup of coffee.

Ball Jelly Jars for serving yogurt and granola.

A fun apron for making amazing breakfasts.

Clip on reading lamps for relaxing in bed.

Rustic wooden trays for serving breakfast or presenting decor.

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