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Where To Stay And Shop

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Where to Stay

Il Pellicano A Relais & Châteaux property on the Maremma coast. Sunset drinks on the terrace and a dip in the saltwater pool are a must. Porto Ercole; 39-0564/ 858-111; www.pellicanohotel.com; doubles from $830, including two meals.

Tenuta Villa Gaia Idyllic three-suite inn on the slopes of Mount Amiata. Rooms overlook olive groves and medieval villages in the distance. Seggiano; 39-0564/950-642; www.tenutavillagaia.com; doubles from $125.

Castello di Spaltenna This medieval castle has a bell tower dating back to the year 1000. The courtyard is a lovely spot for dinner. Gaiole in Chianti; 39-577/ 749-269; www.spaltenna.it; doubles from $255.

Where to Shop

As with artisanal food purveyors, high-quality, handmade Italian leather goods are becoming more difficult to find. Armando Manni shares his secret sources for custom shoes, jackets, and accessories.

Il Riccio Brothers Nicola and Michele Rossi make handmade shoes, belts, and briefcases that compete with the best bespoke leather goods in London or Rome. Pick from vacchetta toscana, alligator, ostrich, emu, or shark for your customized piece. The most prized skin? Reindeer salvaged from a shipwrecked galleon sunk in 1786. 36 Via Damiano Chiesa, Grosseto; 39-0564/ 417-593.

Carlo Fagiani This airy boutique in the center of Panzano is filled with colorful buttery-soft driving shoes and moccasins that have classic details such as contrasting stitching. Shoes and jackets are available in everything from suede to calf to crocodile. 17 Via G. da Verrazano; 39-055/852-239.

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