Our daughter/niece Megan met the love of her life, Anthony, while on vacation at Ocean Oak Resort, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club in Hilton Head. So naturally, when the time came to plan their honeymoon, we thought it would be fitting for them to return to a Hilton Grand Vacations property. 

Megan has always loved Europe, and Anthony had never been, so they decided Tuscany would be an ideal destination. Luckily, we were able to reserve a week for them at Borgo alle Vigne, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club in May, a wonderful time to visit the romantic Tuscan countryside.

   

Borgo Alle Vigne: An Ideal Italian Retreat

Located in the quaint village of Selvatelle, the resort is a perfect home base for exploring. It’s within driving distance to beaches, peaceful villages exuding Old World charm and the vibrant city of Florence. To be sure they could see it all, Megan and Anthony reserved a car before embarking on their journey.

Their adventure started in Rome.

After clearing immigration and customs at the airport, they headed for the train station to embark on the trip to Pisa, where they picked up the car. From there, they made the short trip to the resort.

Borgo alle Vigne is beautiful, and staff could not have been more accommodating. The 1-Bedroom Suite we booked offered all the comforts of home. And the concierge provided excursion information to ensure Megan and Anthony made the most of their vacation, suggesting off-the-beaten-path locations one might not find in a tour book. 

 

Great Food And Favorite Sights

As self-proclaimed foodies, Megan and Anthony didn’t want to miss out on any culinary experiences. The concierge offered great restaurant recommendations, and they enjoyed some of their favorite foods, such as pesto pasta. They also tried some new delicacies, including pheasant. Plus, they indulged in delicious gelato every day and discovered a new favorite treat, affogato. 

Megan and Anthony made day trips to Pisa, Siena, Lari and Monteriggiono to get a taste of village life. And they took a scenic drive to the Tyrrhenian coast, pausing to stroll on the sands of Follonica. 

 

An Itinerary Aided By Hilton Honors Points

Given stories they had heard about the challenges of driving in Florence, they concluded that a train trip would make for a more relaxing excursion to that exciting city. They spent only one day there, just enough time to get a flavor for what Florence has to offer.

They’re already looking forward to a return visit. Perhaps we can arrange that for an anniversary! 

"One of the benefits of HGV membership is the opportunity to convert HGV ClubPoints into Hilton Honors Points."

After a week of sightseeing in Tuscany, Megan and Anthony returned to Rome for the trip home.  Since they didn’t explore Rome at the beginning of their adventure, they stayed overnight so they could take in a few of the sights. 

One of the benefits of HGV membership is the opportunity to convert HGV ClubPoints into Hilton Honors Points. With Hilton Honors Points, we were able to gift Megan and Anthony a room at a Hilton offering easy access to some of the most city’s most iconic landmarks. 

On their Rome adventure, Megan and Anthony visited the Spanish Steps, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. They loved Rome, and when they return to Italy, they will definitely include this ancient city on their itinerary. 

Note that if you’re thinking of a Rome visit, it’s worth checking for updates related to ongoing construction and major events before selecting your travel dates.

 

A Fresh-Baked Treat Made Their Vacation Extra Special

When we asked Megan and Anthony about their most memorable Tuscany experience, they mentioned several — but there was one thing that really stood out. Every morning, they looked forward to the “bread lady,” a representative from a local bakery who brought fresh pastries and breads to Borgo alle Vigne.

The couple waited with bated breath for the bread lady and couldn’t start their day’s journey without their pastry fix. It was the perfect treat for such serious foodies.

We are thrilled that Hilton Grand Vacations enabled us to gift a honeymoon to Megan and Anthony. And we are happy that they didn’t choose Las Vegas as their destination, since “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” Thankfully, what happens in Tuscany apparently doesn’t stay in Tuscany. Megan and Anthony recently surprised us with the news that they are pregnant and expecting a beautiful baby girl! 

It’s the beginning of a new family, one that we hope will continue the tradition of creating memories through travel adventures made possible by Hilton Grand Vacations. 

"We are thrilled that Hilton Grand Vacations enabled us to gift a honeymoon to Megan and Anthony.

Read about another HGV Member’s wonderful Tuscany trip, including travel tips and five top excursions on her itinerary.