Why We Chose Boundless Life in Tuscany

One month of slow mornings, Montessori magic, and finding community in Pistoia

Every summer, working parents face the same exhausting puzzle. They try to piece together childcare, travel, work, and family time in a way that doesn’t leave everyone burned out. I was blissfully naive to this until recently, but now I’ve lived it—co-working hours squeezed in at the gym, help from family when available, and saving deep work for nap time.

This year, I knew I didn’t want to do that again. So I chose something different.

We signed up for Boundless Life, packed a few suitcases, and settled into life in Pistoia, Italy, where we are right now.

It hasn’t just been about going abroad. It has been about choosing structure, community, and presence without sacrificing my work or my daughter’s sense of routine.

Since I’ve gotten a lot of questions about the program, I thought I’d give a full rundown. Paid subscribers can read the full story, including what Boundless Life offers, how we planned it, and why I’d do it again.

How I Found Boundless Life

A friend of mine had done the Boundless Life program in Portugal and was preparing to spend this summer in Greece. I saw what she was planning and immediately asked her for all the details.

With my husband unable to take time off, I knew I would be tackling summer solo, and I was craving something that offered both structure and support. I originally hoped to join her in Syros, but by the time I reached out, it was already fully booked, nearly a year in advance.

That could have been the end of it, but the timing worked out in an unexpected way. My family already had a trip to Italy on the books, and it was set to end just two weeks before the Tuscany cohort began.

So we stayed.

We extended the trip, enrolled in the program, and pieced the summer together in a way that felt effortless and aligned. What could have been a long, disjointed stretch of solo parenting has turned into a season of growth, rhythm, and connection for both of us.

What Is Boundless Life?

Boundless Life is a program for families who want to explore the world without giving up structure, education, or career. They offer one-month and three-month sessions in thoughtfully chosen destinations like Italy, Portugal, Greece, and more.

Each location is designed with intention and comes with everything families need to settle in quickly and meaningfully.

What Boundless Life Includes

Everything about the program has been thoughtfully designed. We’re staying in a fully furnished, Boundless-vetted apartment just five minutes from the school campus. It came stocked with essentials before we arrived, and we even had the option to pre-order groceries to make our first day easier. Some families choose to book their own Airbnbs, since there aren’t enough Boundless homes for everyone, but I wanted the peace of mind that comes from staying in a property managed and supported by their internal team. It is one less thing to worry about, and that is exactly what I was looking for.

Senna is enrolled in the 1–3 year old classroom, which has three dedicated teachers for just eight children. The experience is personal, warm, and rooted in Montessori principles.

The transition into the program was gentle and well-structured:

• Day one included orientation and playtime

• Day two was a shorter, half-day schedule for toddlers

• From day three onward, she attends full days from 8:45 AM to 3:15 PM

Her teachers provide meals and snacks, take the kids outside to play, and plan age-appropriate field trips. I also had a private 15-minute meeting with her teachers before the first full day to talk through her routines, preferences, and personality. I left that meeting feeling understood, supported, and truly seen as a parent.

What Life in Pistoia Is Really Like

Pistoia may not be a household name, but it is one of the loveliest surprises of northern Tuscany. We are just 35 minutes by train from Florence, which makes it easy to explore the region while enjoying a much slower pace.

Evenings here revolve around the main square. The kids run freely while parents sip wine or share plates of pasta. There are restaurants on every corner, a gelato shop that has become part of our nightly routine, and summer events like the Pistoia Blues Festival that bring the town to life.

Nearby towns like Lucca, Montecatini, and Prato are easy to reach by train or taxi. Wineries are everywhere. And best of all, we don’t need a car. Everything we need is right here, or just a short ride away.

The Parent Experience

While Senna is at school, I work from the Boundless coworking space. It’s a quiet, light-filled building just a short walk from our apartment. I’ve been able to keep up with my work while also giving myself room to enjoy this slower, more intentional rhythm.

There are also weekly activities designed just for parents. I’ve signed up for yoga, art, and dance classes. I don’t make it to everything, but having the option to engage with other adults and tap into creativity has been a refreshing reset.

The community is one of the best parts of this experience. On our first Sunday, I hosted a casual happy hour in our courtyard. Everyone brought something simple, and we gathered while the kids played. It was easy, genuine, and exactly the kind of community so many of us are seeking.

Why It’s Been Worth It

Boundless Life has given us exactly what I hoped for. Senna is thriving. She has formed friendships, built trust with her teachers, and has structure to her days in a way that feels both educational and joyful.

And I’ve been able to work, recharge, and truly enjoy time with her. I’m not constantly managing a rotating childcare schedule. I’m not rushing. I’m here, in it, fully.

Every night, we walk to the square for gelato. She runs with her new friends while I sit with mine. There’s music in the background, the scent of pizza and basil in the air, and a pace that feels like it’s finally working with us instead of against us.

This summer has given us a new rhythm, a new community, and a version of presence I didn’t realize I was missing.

Interested In Your Own Boundless Life Experience?

If you’re considering your own Boundless Life adventure, I can’t recommend it enough. Whether you choose Tuscany or one of their other thoughtfully designed locations, it might just become the season you never want to end.

Use my referral code: JENJAC33 when booking through the Boundless Portal to receive up to €400 in credit toward your experience, and I’ll receive credit toward a future one too. It’s a win for both of us.

If you have any questions about how it works, what to expect, or how we planned our summer here, feel free to ask in the comments or send me a message. I’m happy to share anything that helps you decide if it’s the right fit for your family.