A different kind of getaway
Florence Pugh has quietly slipped away from the red-carpet spotlight to embrace countryside calm in Italy. Her choice signals how travel styles are shifting toward slow, meaningful stays instead of full-speed glamour. Holiday-makers are noticing, curious about why rural luxury is gaining ground.
Let’s explore how Italy’s countryside is becoming the new chic escape, and why it matters.
The allure of rural Italy
Rolling hills, olive groves, and centuries-old estates create a backdrop unlike any city stay. These landscapes offer not just scenery but stories of heritage, craftsmanship, and time-tested culture. Travelers are increasingly drawn to settings where luxury meets authenticity.
In Tuscany, Umbria, or Puglia, the countryside now hosts elegant villas, agriturismos, and small boutique estates. Each stay feels like a retreat into the rhythms of the land. The vibe? Luxurious but grounded.
Why celebrities are turning off the city
For someone like Florence Pugh, constant motion and the glare of publicity can exhaust the spirit. She admitted recently she prefers “a bit more countryside” over always being in the city. That sentiment resonates with many travelers searching for balance.
Luxury stays in secluded regions offer privacy, peace, and pace. The emphasis shifts from seeing to being, from checking landmarks to unwinding. And that’s fueling a new travel mindset.
The rise of countryside luxury stays
Italy’s countryside accommodations are evolving from rustic farmhouses to high-end retreats with spa, gourmet dining, and bespoke experiences. Estates like Borgo Santo Pietro showcase this trend: working farm + luxury service. The result: new levels of comfort in rural settings.
Travel platforms now highlight hand-picked villas, boutique agriturismos, and leisure estates that speak to this desire. These stays are less about volume, more about depth. The countryside is no longer just “off-the-grid” but “on-purpose.”
What makes these stays special
Guests wake up to olive trees and vineyard views instead of city traffic and airport noise. They join cooking classes on the estate, try wine tasting among the vines, or stroll paths where locals have walked for generations. The architecture, the interiors, and the food all tell a story of place.
Luxury is still there, crisp linens, fine dining, spa treatments, but layered with rural authenticity. The setting becomes part of the experience, not just the backdrop. It’s where nature meets nurture.
Tuscany leading the shift
Regions like Tuscany are at the forefront of this change. The hills around Florence, the vineyards of Chianti, and the quiet charms of Val d’Orcia all host stays that feel like a pause in time. Travelers seeking serenity, craftsmanship, and local flavour are choosing these zones.
The big city stays aren’t going away, but the countryside offers an alternative that feels more nourishing. It’s about finding space to breathe and reconnect. And that’s getting noticed across demographics.
Smaller stays, big impact
Instead of mega-resorts, the spotlight is turning to smaller boutique estates, fewer rooms, local hosts, authentic touch. That shift aligns with the preference for personalization over scale. It means each guest matters.
Platforms like Rural Escapes curate properties with character, heritage, and local roots, not just surface luxury. For holiday-makers, that means choosing a stay that gives a story, not just a selfie.
Travelers rewriting the holiday rulebook
Holiday-makers are less interested in ticking boxes (city tour, big hotel, famous sight). They’re asking: What sense of place will I leave with? How will I feel different after this stay? The countryside offers these layers.
With the countryside reset, stays are about decelerating, tasting, listening, watching. That invites meaningful memories over mere snapshots. Florence Pugh’s decision to step into slower rhythms reflects this.
Things to look for when booking
When booking a rural luxury stay in Italy, Holiday-makers should look for stays that integrate local culture, such as offering meals made with ingredients grown on-site. Are hosts part of the community? Does the estate support local culture and landscapes? Realness makes a difference.
Also, look for stays that are accessible (not too remote unless set up for it), have high service, and offer meaningful experiences (vineyard tours, cooking, nature walks). And importantly, choose off-season or shoulder-season to avoid crowds.
Why this trend matters now
Post-pandemic, travelers are craving authenticity, space, a slower pace, and value. Countryside luxury meets these desires better than ever. It’s more sustainable and more meaningful. And the travel market is responding.
For Italy, this is good news: regions beyond the coast and city centres are getting attention, helping spread tourism benefits more evenly. The countryside is stepping into the spotlight, not as an afterthought, but as a destination in its own right.
Still luxury, but different luxury
Luxury isn’t disappearing, it’s being redefined. Instead of sprawling lobbies and expansive displays of opulence, luxury in rural Italy means elegant design married with regional craft, calm views, and slow mornings. It’s chic without shouting.
That shift attracts holiday-makers who want more long-lasting impressions than just a flash of glamour. The countryside setting offers room for reflection, connection, and experience-rich days. It’s a softer, deeper kind of luxe.
What holiday-makers are choosing
Holiday-makers are increasingly drawn to stays that tell a story, of heritage, resilience, slow travel, not just flashy views. Accommodation options may shift: smaller stays, eco-friendly resorts, and authentic experiences. Influencer posts reflect this change and help people make new choices.
The countryside isn’t just a backdrop anymore; it carries meaning that connects travelers to deeper roots and history. That same appreciation for heritage is why African American heritage trails across the U.S. are now worth traveling for, offering stories as powerful as any destination abroad. The rural luxury stay is quietly rising, grounded in culture, community, and care.
How could your story unfold?
This rise of rural luxury in Italy invites holiday-makers to imagine something new, escape the rush, immerse themselves in the region, and savour the moment. Florence Pugh’s countryside reset shows the appeal of stepping away, slowing down, and being present. Now the question: which Italian countryside stay could write your next chapter?
If someone had to pick one region, Tuscany, Umbria, or Puglia, where would they go for a luxury retreat in the country? Share favourite places or dream stays below!
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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
