If you’re looking for a stylish and sophisticated town to add to your itinerary, Forte dei Marmi is sure to please. Grosseto Villa dell’Ombrellino. Of course, Tuscany is not just a playground for contemporary luminaries. Some of history’s most prominent families have also left an indelible mark on Tuscany. A few centuries ago, in 1801, Napoleon Bonaparte had established a brief monarchy in Lucca, giving the control to his beloved sister, Élisa.

If you’re looking for a truly unforgettable experience, be sure to add Montepulciano to your itinerary. CortonaThe ten provinces of Tuscany—Arezzo, Florence, Grosseto, Livorno, Lucca, Massa and Carrara, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato, Siena—all capture an elusive yet distinct essence, one that truly speaks of the region’s noble history and opulence. Though each province carries with it its own soul and speciality, the comprehensive accomplishments of each make up the Tuscany we hold dear. Here, art and architecture inspired by the Etruscans, the Romans and Renaissance men are in open display, an ode to the brilliant minds of past Tuscan dwellers. Among them is the dome of the Santa Maria del Fiore, an artwork by Filippo Brunelleschi that remains as significant today as it did in the 15th century. The Italian region of Tuscany is a feast for all senses. A creative incubator that has cultivated art and architecture for eras including Etruscan, Roman, Renaissance and modern times. Timeworn churches, once stops on nineteenth-century Grand Tours, stand tall in the towns’ piazzas. Rolling hills of wheat and colorful olive groves, that inspire authentic Tuscan cuisine, are dotted with villas built by the prestigious Medici family. The Tyrrhenian Sea extends off its coast, lapping the shore of Elba, the island where the emperor Napoleon was exiled. Quaint villages, historic towns and bustling cities are scattered across its landscape, which is almost as varied as the communities themselves. From annual horse races at Piazza del Campo, and the centuries-old winemaking traditions of the Chianti region to the city of Pisa, an ancient Maritime Republic known for the youthful spirit of its Scuola Normale Superiore and Leaning Tower alike, Tuscany is the place of dreams, where thousands come to relive its history and take in the beauty of a region. The colour of the olive trees changes continuously throughout Tuscany. From north to south, the foliage alters from silver to antique bronze. The trunks, which are grey green in Lucca, take on earthy hues in Sovana, Grosseto, consistent with the fertile reddish humus. Around Florence and Siena, the olives turn blue, approaching the shade of pietra serena – a typical, grey Tuscan stone. A dusty palette of arid, striated hues, indigo and purple filaments, ochre and chalk reminiscent of Rajasthan erupts in the Crete Senesi region as soon as you move south from Siena and toward the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, a large Benedictine monastery: more than 300 square miles of gently rolling hills and gullies immortalised by the artists who were inspired by this land. It is unique, that’s the right word. Tuscany is timeless, modern yet archaic. It has an incredible combination of ancient civilization and rich nature, of art and beauty. It is truly one of a kind.

So many! La Foce, for example, not far from Pienza, is a beautiful villa and property restored in the 1930s by Iris Origo, an Anglo-American writer married to an anti-fascist Italian aristocrat. I always admired the perfection of the formal garden, conceived by Cecil Pinsent. Breccia Tuscany | Crystal Quartz | Dark Emperor | Lapis Blue | Marmi Bianco | Marmo Orobico | Persa Chiara | Persa Grigio | Smoky Quartz | Tiger Quartz In addition to exploring the town’s historic streets, visitors can enjoy wine tastings (of course), cooking classes, and a number of other activities. Stroll along the banks of the Arno River, marvel at the stunning architecture around the city, or visit one of the many museums and churches for a taste of local history. SienaCircumnavigate the city via the wide walls, built and fortified to protect Lucca from its nearby rivals, Florence and Pisa. Stroll through the island’s narrow streets, marvel at the ancient ruins of Roman buildings, or enjoy a meal at one of the island’s many seaside cafés. The EU Ecolabel helps you identify products and services that have a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle, from the extraction of raw material through to production, use and disposal. Recognised throughout Europe, EU Ecolabel is a voluntary label promoting environmental excellence which can be trusted. m2 of surface area, creates minimal grout lines. Marvel is also offered with four graphical faces, forming Castle of Sammezzano, in the province of Florence, was transformed in 1853 into a Moorish fairy-tale ... [+] palace with decoration inspired by the Alhambra. (Credit: Massimo Listri)

cladding. For a dramatic statement, Marvel also offers stunning bookmatched pairs in the Marmi Bianco, Marmo

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The fine wines are accompanied by Tuscan gastronomy, a reflection of the region’s many distinctive features and diverse inhabitants. Extra virgin olive oil is ubiquitously excellent: the best oil is fiercely contested in every corner of the region, and whether cooked or raw, it transversally unifies traditional recipes, replacing the butter that characterises northern Italian cooking. Other places include the Cala Violinabeach, near Ansedonia, in Maremma, the Radicofani Castle and the Rocca of Ghino di Tacco, which overlooks the immensity of Val d’Orcia. In addition to spending time at the beach, visitors can also enjoy tennis matches, windsurfing, and a number of other activities. to create maximum impact these bookmatched tiles are offered in 1500 x 3000 mm format, ideal for use in hotel The leaning tower is only one quarter of the centre’s impressive Piazza dei Miracoli, whose more successful architectural projects, the Duomo, Baptistery and Camposanto give justice to its name, which translates as the Field of Miracles.