- My Travel Shoes
My very first Bellini was years ago in Venice, shared with two girlfriends on a sun-dappled pier as gondolas drifted past. Fizzy, peachy, and quintessentially Venetian, that sparkling cocktail became more than a drink - it became a memory I still treasure. Years later, on a return trip to Italy, Bellinis appeared so often at our table that I jokingly dubbed it our Great Italian Bellini Tour. While the cocktail wasn’t the purpose of our travels, it became a playful thread weaving through some of Italy’s most beautiful places.
But first, a quick backstory: The Bellini is a classic Italian cocktail created in Venice at the legendary Harry’s Bar by Giuseppe Cipriani. Inspired by the delicate pink tones in a painting by the Venetian artist Giovanni Bellini, Cipriani combined fresh white peach purée with sparkling Prosecco. It was an instant hit, first in Venice and eventually around the world. Today, it’s a timeless symbol of Italian elegance - light, refreshing, and endlessly versatile.
With that in mind, here’s how our “Bellini Tour” unfolded, one stop (and one sip) at a time.
Montisi: Bellinis Among Olive Trees
Our home base was Montisi, a charming hilltop village in southern Tuscany. With a population of just around 400, it’s small but full of life. Narrow winding streets, medieval stone buildings, and a community that still celebrates its traditions through local festivals give the village a sense of timelessness. Montisi is also known for its excellent olive oil, which explains the silvery-green orchards that stretch in every direction.
Our wonderful place overlooked an olive grove, the perfect setting for long, relaxed brunches outdoors. Surrounded by rolling hills, cypress trees, and endless Tuscan charm, it felt only natural to add a Bellini to the table. It was the perfect start to what would become a running theme of our trip.
Pienza: Renaissance Charm and Pecorino Cheese
Just a short drive from Montisi is Pienza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful towns in Tuscany. In the 15th century, Pope Pius II redesigned it as an “ideal Renaissance town,” so every street and piazza seems carefully arranged for beauty and harmony. The views over the Val d’Orcia are breathtaking, with golden hills, cypress-lined roads, and fields that look like they belong in a painting.
Pienza is also renowned for its Pecorino cheese, celebrated each September with a lively festival. While exploring, we stumbled upon a tiny wine bar perched along the town walls, with just a handful of outdoor tables overlooking the valley. As the sun dipped behind the hills, we sipped Bellinis and soaked in what became one of the most unforgettable views of our trip. The bar quickly turned into our favourite sunset ritual. On one magical evening, a wedding party came buzzing along the road below on Vespas, tin cans clattering behind them - it felt like a scene lifted straight from a classic Hollywood film.
Florence: Bellinis in the Boboli Gardens
Florence is a city that hardly needs an introduction - art, history, and beauty at every turn. One of its treasures is the Boboli Gardens, created for the Medici family and later opened to the public in the 18th century. The gardens are more than just a green space; they’re an open-air museum, dotted with sculptures, fountains, and ornate grottos.
Sitting on the terrace with a Bellini in hand felt like stepping back into the refined life of Renaissance Florence. It was one of those moments where history and the present blend together - just as the Bellini itself blends old tradition with simple pleasure.
Portofino: The Luxurious Sip
From Florence, we headed north to the Ligurian coast and the jewel-like town of Portofino. Famous for its colorful harbor, luxury yachts, and designer boutiques, it has long been known as a glamorous destination. We didn’t know much about Portofino and hadn’t realized just how polished its reputation was - to us, it simply radiated the same effortless beauty we found throughout Italy.
On our first evening, we found a restaurant terrace overlooking the harbor and ordered Bellinis - without first checking the menu. When the waiter appeared with peach purée and a chilled bottle of champagne, we knew we were in for something special. The cocktails were exquisite, but when the bill arrived, we were reminded that in Portofino, the view and the sparkle both come at a premium. It was worth it, though - at least once.
Bagni Vignoni: Hot Springs and a Sparkling Surprise
On a drive in Tuscany, we stopped in Bagni Vignoni, a small village known for its hot springs. Since Roman times, visitors have come here for the therapeutic waters. The town square is unique - it’s built around a large pool fed by the springs (though you can’t swim in it). However, a path past the “Park of the Mills”, a series of ancient mills with canals and gorges, leads to natural pools below the village, where you can enjoy the warm water freely.
We found these pools by accident, by driving down a bumpy narrow road - with a bottle of Prosecco and peach purée in the trunk. After parking in a small gravel area near a treed area, I changed into my bathing suit behind the car. Then there was a loud bang that sounded like a gun shot. I immediately thought we were caught trespassing – but it was the Prosecco cork popping after being shaken down the road. Once we realized that, we had a good laugh.
Relaxing in the hot pools with Bellinis in hand and wonderful views of the Val d’Orcia was the perfect mix of history, nature, and fun.
Sirolo: A Spontaneous Adriatic Escape
Toward the end of our trip, we decided to take a spontaneous day trip to the Adriatic coast. A few hours of driving brought us to Sirolo, often called the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” Perched on the slopes of Monte Conero, the town has dramatic sea views, medieval charm, and beaches with crystal-clear water.
We didn’t have much time to explore, but we did take a stroll along the beach and found a terrace with a panoramic view of the sea. There, with the Adriatic stretching out before us, we enjoyed a Bellini, of course. It was an unplanned stop, but a memorable one - and a perfect reminder that sometimes the best travel moments happen when you least expect them.
Priano: Afternoon Bellinis on the Amalfi Coast
After our time exploring Tuscany, Florence, and Portofino, we headed further south to the Amalfi Coast - and discovered that Praiano was every bit as enchanting as its more famous neighbors. Nestled between Positano and Amalfi, Praiano is quieter, more relaxed, and feels like the best-kept secret of the coastline.
The town spills down steep cliffs toward the sea, with pastel houses, narrow stairways, and dazzling views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Once a fishing village, Praiano is now known for its charming piazzas, historic churches, and peaceful atmosphere - a perfect contrast to the busier towns along the coast.
On a sunny afternoon, we settled onto a terrace overlooking the water. With the sea shimmering below and a Bellini in hand, it felt like the perfect pause after a hectic drive to find our hotel. Praiano may not have the crowds or the buzz of Positano, but that’s exactly what made it a great place to stay for us – and why it became one of our most memorable Bellini stops.
A Toast to Italy
In the end, our Bellini toasts became magical memories and tied together so many places and experiences. Each village, city, and coastline had its own story to tell, and those peach-tinted pauses gave us a way to slow down and savor them. From the quiet of hot springs to lively piazzas and seaside terraces, the memories feel even brighter when I think of them through that sparkling lens.
If your travels take you to Italy, try a Bellini wherever you find yourself. It may not be the focus of your journey, but it has a way of making beautiful moments linger just a little longer.
Salute!
p.s. Limoncello is another favourite!
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