LIVING LA VIDA LOCANDA
Locanda : NOUN ; in continental Europe, especially Italy : a small hotel, guest house, or inn.
You are all well aware of my love for Italy, if for no other reason than the fact that I've been back seven times since moving abroad. And yet, I still hadn't come across the term "Locanda". But our latest Tuscany adventure landed us at the gorgeous Locanda al Colle, and it couldn't have made a better first impression of the word for us.
The renovated country guesthouse is a chic, yet traditional boutique stay with luxurious rooms, panoramic terrace views, and an incredible in-house chef. 
Our suite (the Colle) had the most gorgeously green terrace for lounging! We thoroughly enjoyed our late afternoons here with a cold glass of prosecco or a local Chianti. Also, the suite offers his and her bathrooms -- mine was obviously the one with the bath tub and window looking out over the beautiful blossom trees!
Breakfast is served on the beautiful patio surrounded by lush greens of the olive trees with sweet scents of lavender and rosemary, and overlooking the province of Camaiore. On a clear day, you can even see the Tuscan coastline! This was our favorite part of the day...sipping strong Italian coffees and eating delicious home cooked breakfast with a view. Ryan quickly became obsessed with the made to order eggs -- scrambled with parmesan cheese! 
The Locanda chef, Gian Luca, prepares meals three nights a week in a lively open kitchen type experience. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, you can join him in the kitchen and learn for yourself his creative take on traditional, regional dishes! On Mondays, he prepares more typically Tuscan dishes such as soups, bruschetta, and other dishes. On Tuesdays, you can even book in for a three course cooking lesson!
During the warm summer days, soak in salt water pool or head to the nearby beach club il Cavallone, only a ten-minute drive from the property, where a complimentary gazebo is awaiting you! 
Aside from these various amenities already listed, Locanda al Colle offers so much more -- spa services, yoga, wine tours, drawing workshops...not to mention that the entire Locanda is basically an incredible art gallery! The owner's collection is displayed as well as a variety of other sculptures to purchase!
When you're ready for some activity, borrow one of Locanda al Colle's bikes and head out on an adventure! We biked to the coast and sat near the water eating gelato.
Renting a car is the best way to experience this region -- from the beautiful walled city of Lucca to the lesser known 6th Terre, Portovenere, there is so much to explore! I could have spent a week here enjoying all that the Locanda and surrounding area offers!
