Jenny Walton's Insider Guide to Tuscany: The Top Pasta Dishes, Delightful Coastal Towns, and Additional Recommendations

      Welcome to Locals Only. In this series, we are connecting with notable locals in the fashion scene to gather a curated list of their top picks for what to see, eat, and shop in their hometown. They will provide hidden gems that you won’t discover in standard guidebooks, resulting in concise mini guides that reveal where the city's trendiest residents truly hang out. You might have started following Jenny Walton for her exquisite vintage style, her artwork, or her wardrobe inspired by the 1950s and '60s, but along the way, this Italian transplant has become the embodiment of a life many of us aspire to: relocating to Italy, embracing a slower pace of life, and eventually purchasing a fixer-upper in a quaint town, living out Diane Lane's storyline in Under the Tuscan Sun. Now, with the release of her new book, Jenny Sais Quoi: Adventures in Vintage & Personal Style, Walton’s remarkable journey and unique fashion sense are making their way from online to the printed page. For the artist and author, this dream began in Milan, where she has lived in recent years before making Tuscany her home. Therefore, we sought her favorite spots in the region, including the restaurant serving her beloved traditional Tuscan pasta, the lesser-known beach town that locals prefer to skip in favor of Cinque Terre, and the small towns off the beaten path that she believes everyone should experience in Tuscany, offering us a view of the Italian region through her perspective.

      Jenny Walton

      Jenny Sais Quoi: Adventures in Vintage & Personal Style

      Could you share a bit about what inspired your book? What are some favorite insights you’re eager for your readers to discover? I’m really looking forward to encouraging people to explore the various creative ways they can enjoy dressing. There’s a section titled “Clothes as Canvas,” focused on rediscovering the joy in dressing, akin to the way we played dress-up as children. The enjoyment we find in dressing often hinges on the mindset surrounding it.

      After living in Milan for several years, what attracted you to Tuscany when you bought a house there? I cherish Milan dearly, and I will always make time to visit. It’s a city that inspires me immensely. However, after 15 years of urban living (in New York and Milan), I yearned for a connection to nature. I wanted a proper yard for my dogs and a home I could personalize.

      What packing tips would you provide for someone traveling to Northern Tuscany? During summer, it’s all about beach outings, and the cool stone houses in the mountains ensure comfort in the heat. In winter, expect occasional rain, so a rain jacket is advisable. The old cobblestone streets necessitate practical walking shoes, which can still be stylish. I tend to be that slightly annoying person who wears jelly gardening shoes out on the town.

      What to Wear

      Savette

      The Symmetry Pochette

      Michael Kors

      Khloe Lace-Up Sandal

      Mains de Vapeur

      Jackie Pillbox

      Jacquemus

      The Berlingot Dress

      By Malene Birger

      Lumas Balloon Pants

      "Agriturismo Casa Turchetti serves delicious traditional Tuscan cuisine that is divine in the fall when everything is chestnut-focused," she gushes. "Their pastas, like testaroli al pesto, are wonderful, and necci con ricotta is to die for. These are chestnut flour pancakes stuffed with fresh sheep's ricotta, resembling a crepe."

      "I adore being by the sea, and Porto Venere is my absolute favorite spot. A few friends from Milan told me about it, and it’s pure perfection," she shares. "Skip Cinque Terre and opt for this instead—same beautiful sea but fewer crowds."

      "Villa Petriolo was a fantastic place to stay, positioned on a hill and conveniently close to Lucca or Pisa," Walton notes. "They offer enjoyable wine tastings and aperitivo pairings, and there's a charming nearby town called San Miniato that is worth a visit."

      In San Miniato, a tiny Tuscan town famous for its truffles, lies a wine bar that Walton loves. Founded by cookbook author Emiko Davies and Tuscan sommelier Marco Lami, Enoteca Marilu transforms into a wine bar in the evening and hosts cooking classes and culinary workshops during the day.

      If your ideal Italian getaway features lengthy, leisurely lunches with stunning Mediterranean views, then Walton highly recommends Torre di Venere—a lovely spot in Porto Venere known for its fresh seafood offerings.

      On her days off, Walton usually spends the morning in her garden with her dogs, reading or writing. Afterward, she heads to the beach. "I enjoy Baia Blu and love that you have to walk through an olive grove and pine forest to reach it," she reflects. "I might end my night with dinner in Lerici or a quaint town like Sarzana."