I'm a Food Writer-and I Discovered the Most Luxurious Way to Eat Through Tuscany

"So when the chance came to explore Tuscany-one of my favorite places in the world-on a hiking and biking trip with Butterfield & Robinson, it was an easy yes. The luxury active-travel company, celebrating its 60th birthday this year, made everything feel elevated and seamless, yet still deeply personal. Even a jaded food and travel writer like me felt exquisitely taken care of."

"I've always loved to walk. I've lived in walkable cities and built a lot of my personality on schlepping around town-sometimes while carrying my body weight in groceries. When we moved to a small town in New Jersey, I kept walking on the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail, first with a baby strapped to my chest, then pushing a double stroller, often with our dog, Ace, in tow."

Lifelong walking habits included living in walkable cities and regular walks on the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail, sometimes with a baby, later a double stroller, and the dog Ace. A hiking and biking trip in Tuscany with Butterfield & Robinson combined luxury logistics with intimate service, including prosecco and ricciarelli along the trail and luggage appearing in rooms before arrival. The company’s philosophy—slow down to see the world—encourages absorbing regions step by step. A favorite hike ascended through Val di Chiana's red poppies and olive groves to the 13th-century hermitage of Celle di San Francesco, providing moments of quiet.

Read at Travel + Leisure