Remember the heartwarming children’s book, Strega Nona? The one with the delightfully mischievous grandma and her magical pasta sauce? Well, get ready to embrace a whole new meaning to “Strega Nona Fall.” This season, a very wholesome fashion and lifestyle trend is taking hold on TikTok, urging us to slow down, savor the simple pleasures, and reconnect with nature — all inspired by the spirit of Strega Nona (and leaving me wondering, “What won’t inspire a TikTok trend these days?”).
Forget the hustle and bustle of fall foliage tours and pumpkin carving contests. This year, it’s about cozy nights by the fire, indulging in soul-warming meals, and immersing ourselves in the beauty of the changing season. From vineyard walks in Napa Valley to stargazing under the Icelandic sky, we’re giving you a curated list of dream destinations that perfectly capture the essence of Strega Nona Fall.
So, put on your favorite sweater, grab a steaming mug of something comforting (for me, I’m reaching for my favorite fall drink: hot apple cider with a cinnamon stick), and get ready to discover the magic of a truly slow and cozy autumn escape.
For Cozy Cottages and Self-Care: Barnsley Resort
Adairsville, GA
Layer up and gather around the fire — Strega Nona Fall is in full effect at North Georgia’s Barnsley Resort. This 3,000-acre resort is home to 39 newly renovated cottages, perfect for embracing your inner Strega Nona and posting up in a cozy setting. The cottages range from one to seven bedrooms and boast a rich heritage color palette of blues, greens, and rustic earth tones. Stay toasty with an en-suite fireplace, unwind with a bath in a clawfoot tub, or simply enjoy a glass of wine on the cottage’s porch swing. Here, there’s no need for conjuring healing spells, as the resort is home to a luxurious spa. Indulge in the Barnsley Tea-LC body treatment, a healing concoction of its own that combines the benefits of herbal tea with classic spa rituals. Lastly, it wouldn’t be Strega Nona Fall without pasta. Woodlands, one of the on-site restaurants, offers the signature Barnsley Beef Bolognese, sure to delight and warm one’s soul. Afterward, toast up a s’more at the outdoor Village Green fire pits while wrapped in a blanket before cozying back up in a private cottage.
For Scenic Rooftop Views, Gourmet Dining, and Cozy Fires: The Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa
Jackson, WY
With warm rustic touches from the grand staircase under an antler-clad chandelier to cozy in-room fireplaces, The Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa invites guests to say goodbye to brat summer and officially enter Strega Nona Fall. Mid-late fall is an especially breathtaking time to visit as this luxury boutique hotel is nestled at the gateway of two national parks in Jackson, WY offering majestic views of the fall glow without the hustle and bustle of the summer crowd. Peacefully take in the amber, red, and gold glistening leaves against the rocky mountain backdrop without having to leave the comfort of the property as the lodge is home to a heated rooftop deck, known as the Perch, ideal for spotting local flora and fauna, or curl up with a good book and warm cup of tea in hand at the Lodge’s Library and indulge in a freshly-baked cookie, prepared daily at the hotel — no magic cooking needed! When it’s time to sup, guests can indulge in comfort food dishes at Wild Sage Restaurant, such as rabbit pappardelle and seasonal poutines, that will warm the soul. When booking four or more nights, take advantage of the Secret Season Package which includes a half-day wildlife tour with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safari, a Secret spa treatment, a Secret cocktail or mocktail, and tickets to Astoria Hot Springs.
To Savor Fall Flavors and Rooftop Dining: AC Hotel Columbus Dublin
Dublin, OH
As the leaves change color and weather gets cooler, we trade the refreshing, summer sips for cozy drinks that blend all the favorite flavors of fall. This year is all about channeling a Strega Nona inspired season — staying warm, slowing down, and indulging (shamelessly) in lots of food and drinks that pair perfectly with the weather. The AC Hotel Columbus Dublin is home to VASO, a rooftop restaurant dream with views of the falling leaves and orange and brown hued trees. The menu consists of small bites to larger plates, perfect for sharing and encouraging leisurely dinner evenings with family and friends — especially when those evenings can be enjoyed in a cozy igloo complete with warm blankets and the perfect playlist to add to the ambience. After the sun sets and paints the sky with colors that match the foliage, groups can stroll around the charming town of Dublin full of cobblestoned streets, fairy villages full of magic, and views that look straight out of a page of Strega Nona. This midwest gem is the perfect destination to slow down and cozy up, for more information visit achoteldublin.com.
For a Storybook Fall: Villa Bokéh
Antigua, Guatemala
Embrace a slow and cozy fall just like Strega Nona would have wanted at Villa Bokéh in Guatemala’s charming city of Antigua. A former private estate turned 15-room boutique hotel, guests will feel like they stepped into a storybook surrounded by romantic plazas, a serene lagoon, and hidden gardens all within the property. For the ultimate Strega Nona aesthetic, book the Siena Suite, designed with a fall-inspired palette of creams, beiges, and pumpkin-hued terra-cottas complete with its own outdoor fire-pit for cozy nights curled up with a book and glass of wine (or making your own Strega Nona potion). Visitors can indulge in fall flavors as well at Villa Bokéh with the on-property restaurant’s signature dish, Milpa, a creamy soup featuring butternut squash, roasted pumpkin seeds, and a pinch of chili powder.
For Pasta and the Tuscan Hillside: Renaissance Tuscany
Tuscany, Italy
There’s nothing more Strega Nona than a fall getaway at the book’s origin — Tuscany’s countryside. Perched atop the cascading hills of Tuscany, Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa invites Strega Nona travelers to shift gears and slow down. Here, guests are invited to simply sit still and relax while taking in panoramic views of the Sercchio Valley and the town of Barga, filled with authentic Italian restaurants with dishes hand-made by actual nonnas. Curl up by a fireplace with a bold red wine in hand or pamper oneself with a healing spell (err, treatment) from the on-site spa. And Strega Nona simply wouldn’t be Strega Nona without pasta. The resort’s executive chef offers a pasta-making class where one hand-rolls the dough and creates the sauce for a rich and filling pasta supper.
To Unwind Amidst Autumn Vines: The Meritage Resort and Spa
Napa, CA
As Fall sweeps across Napa Valley, the vineyards surrounding The Meritage Resort and Spa take on a golden glow, and the spirit of Strega Nona Fall comes to life. Imagine wandering the vineyard-covered hills on a leisurely stroll, much like Strega Nona gathering herbs in her garden. The resort’s farm-to-table dining at Olive & Hay invites you to taste the harvest with handmade pastas and hearty dishes, each one paired perfectly with Napa’s finest local wines. Perhaps you find yourself lounging by the fireplace in your suite, a glass of wine in hand, as the warmth of the flames and the beauty of the surroundings remind you of the joy of slowing down. At every turn, The Meritage Resort & Spa embraces the rustic charm and magic of Strega Nona Fall, blending Napa’s breathtaking landscapes with the comfort of modern luxury. Like a scene from a beloved tale, The Meritage Resort and Spa offers the perfect retreat for those yearning to slow down and savor the simple pleasures of autumn.
For Scenic Beach Walks and Harvest Dining: Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club
Cape Cod, MA
If Strega Nona were looking for a nature-filled and artsy fall getaway, Ocean Edge Resort would be her first pick. Located on Cape Cod, this year-round, charming resort offers the perfect spot to indulge in slow, simple pleasures. Her days would include quiet walks along Bay Pines Beach with its dramatic tides and sunsets and cozy reading sessions by a historic fireplace. She’d venture into town to explore Brewster’s museums and antique shops, on the lookout for her next whimsical trinket. She’d also admire stunning fall foliage with a scenic bike ride along the Cape Cod Rail Trail, and end her days with the soothing hum of sound bowls, reminiscent of her cauldron, courtesy of the resort’s new floating sound baths. If she’s feeling social (or hungry), she can head to Bayzo’s Pub and sway to live music, and custom brews, and enjoy the property’s seasonal Autumn Harvest Pasta. Here, Strega Nona can leave the chaos of her pasta-flooded town behind and find stillness among the crimson-colored leaves.
For Cave Rooms, Fireside Picnics, and Culinary Adventures: Argos in Cappadocia
Cappadocia, Turkey
Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes of a color palette Strega Nona would have painted herself and cozy fireside picnics in outdoor corners that overlook endless sloping tiers of hillside gardens (where they grow their own pumpkins), Argos in Cappadocia is a magical destination for slow fall travel. Whether sleeping in a cave room, tasting wines grown from ancient vines, watching hot air balloons rise with the sun, or tipping over a cup of Turkish coffee grinds to read your fortune, this whimsical and rustic hotel will have you pulling on your apron to make traditional Turkish Testi Pottery Kebabs, or teetering along the cobblestoned streets of this rich historic village carved into the side of Pigeon Valley and sculpted by dreamy rock formations once believed to be fairy chimneys and castles.
To Discover Fall Magic with Mindful Stargazing: Hotel Rangá
Hella, Iceland
Step into the enchanting world of Strega Nona Fall, where the magic of autumn unfolds through slow living, folklore, and a deep connection to nature at Hotel Rangá, a boutique property nestled under the unobstructed night sky of Iceland’s South Coast. This season, embrace a trend that’s as timeless as the stars: mindful stargazing. At Hotel Rangá, guests can immerse themselves in the ancient art of stargazing with the Ultimate Starbath package, blending rustic charm with celestial wonder. Here you’ll fall under the spell of the sky to achieve relaxation, mental clarity, and a deep sense of tranquility. Cozy up in snowsuits, sip on a ‘Starry Night’ cocktail, and let the hotel’s resident astronomer guide you through the constellations, all while meditating under the Milky Way. Add a touch of old-world magic to your stay with Hotel Rangá’s Analog Menu, offering nostalgic delights like disposable cameras, folklore-inspired coloring books, and personalized maps to ground you in the beauty of simplicity. This autumn, let Hotel Rangá transport you into a storybook season of coziness, wonder, and celestial calm — an autumn inspired by Strega Nona’s timeless wisdom. To book the Ultimate Starbath and/or the Analog menu, visit www.hotelranga.is.
Start Planning Your Strega Nona Fall Adventure
Ready to unleash your inner Strega Nona? These enchanting retreats promise an autumn unlike any other. So, pack your favorite folklore-inspired coloring book (courtesy of Hotel Rangá), a cozy blanket, and a spirit of adventure. Remember, slowing down can be just as magical as a cauldron full of bubbling pasta!
