Castel Monastero

If you're in Tuscany during truffle season (September to December for white truffle), don't leave without eating some. Cantina, inside Castel Monastero, one of the region's loveliest hotels, gives the finest examples of Tuscan cooking with local produce.

The best way to understand white truffle is through simplicity: homemade pasta, butter, and truffle grated over the top. The game ragù pappardelle on the menu was very good too.

This old monastery, with a history going back to 1100, has been turned into a wonderful hotel, and the old wine cellars that house Cantina are very striking.