Imagine booking a holiday to Tuscany. Which destinations spring immediately to mind? Is it Florence, with its Medici history, or precarious Pisa, with its famed Leaning Tower? Maybe it’s somewhere more viticulture-focused, like Chianti, or even beautiful Tuscany beaches? Or perhaps you’re heading off the beaten track to a city like Arezzo.  Arezzo is situated…

Picturing a summery, wine-fuelled trip to Italy? Most travelers first envision Tuscany villas and vineyards. With its neat rows of cypress trees and stone-built estates — this popular region encompasses everything luxurious in an Italian escape. Yet, for discerning travelers, there is an alternative: Umbria.  Umbria is a tiny, landlocked region with an apt nickname…

Basking in the history of Lucca is a spectacular foundation for an experiential escape to Tuscany. Compared to Florence and Pisa, Lucca is admittedly an underdog on the Tuscan tourism scene. Yet what it lacks in crowds, it repays triple-fold in character. Renaissance walls encircle the medieval city, and its streets are lined with distinct…

Lucca is a historical solace amidst the rolling hills of Tuscany. Sliced in half by the peaceful Serchio River, the city has medieval roots but underwent a transformation during the Renaissance era — leaving a firmly artistic stamp on its cityscape. Somewhat an underdog compared to the neighboring meccas of Pisa and Florence, what Lucca…

Siena is a distinctive-looking destination, with brown-clay roofing and twisting medieval streets. The Tuscan city forms the lower boundary of the famed viticulture region of Chianti Classico. And unlike Florence, its northern-lying neighbour, Siena’s architecture is muted in color, rather than flaming orange. Quietly understated, it attracts a fraction of Florence’s crowds while secretly pioneering…

Undulating hills, manicured rows of cypress trees, and endless wine groves — it’s easy to see why Chianti is such a sought-after destination. The region is arguably Italy’s most famed wine district. And a simple mention of the region triggers instant connotations of vast Tuscan countryside, with thriving gastronomy and natural beauty.  Situated between Florence…

Ever considered touring Tuscany by water? The region might be better known for its grassy hills and countryside lanes, but adventurous tourists have an alternative option: kayaking.  Far from being a “dry land only” destination, Tuscany has an extensive 230 km coastline, with rivers criss-crossing its vineyard-dotted fields. Rock along craggy coasts as you navigate…