Tuscany

Italian Capital of Culture 2017, Pistoia is a human-scale city rich in history, art, and culinary traditions. From underground passages to rooftop views from the Duomo Bell Tower, Pistoia will not fail to amaze you with its understated beauty. In July, don't miss the Pistoia Blues Festival, a prestigious event that attracts internationally renowned artists each year, and the Giostra dell'Orso, a historic tournament in which four of the city's districts compete in an exciting horseback challenge.

Set like a jewel within historic walls, Lucca is a unique city. The quiet historic center, to be discovered on foot or by bicycle, offers beautiful views at every turn. In addition to the Antiques Market every third Sunday of the month, two events attract many visitors: the Lucca Summer Festival, with concerts by Italian and international artists, and Lucca Comics, Europe's most famous international comic book fair.

Known for having given the pseudonym to Carlo Lorenzini, the author of Pinocchio, and for the world-famous theme park where you can immerse yourself in the magic of the famous fairy tale, Collodi is a historic village in Pistoia, a short distance from Lucca. Also worth visiting is the Butterfly House, Villa Garzoni, and the garden, a typical example of 18th-century Italian gardens, among the most beautiful in Italy.

A small Florentine town known for being the birthplace of the famous Leonardo, Vinci links itself to the great Renaissance genius. Here it is possible to visit the house where he was born, where an exhibition itinerary allows visitors to learn more about the era in which he lived; the Museo Leonardiano, in which to admire the sketches and models designed by Leonardo; and the Biblioteca Leonardiana, which since 1928 has housed thousands of works written by Leonardo or by his scholars.

The birthplace of Dante, the cradle of the Renaissance, and an undeniable landmark in the history of Italy, Florence is a must-see destination for anyone coming to Tuscany. Discover the city's architectural wonders, from the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore to the Pitti Palace, via Ponte Vecchio. See famous works of art, from the Birth of Venus at the Uffizi to Michelangelo's David at the Accademia Gallery. Lose yourself in the fascinating Boboli Gardens, the green core of the city. Watch the sunset from Piazza Michelangelo and taste the most delicious traditional dishes. This city will not be able to leave you indifferent.

Pisa is a city of many anecdotes. Did you know, for example, that there is not just one leaning tower? In addition to the one that makes the city world-famous, there are two other, lesser-known ones: the bell tower of the Church of San Nicola, on Via Santa Maria, and the bell tower of the Church of San Michele degli Scalzi, in the square of the same name, whose slope is even greater than Piazza dei Miracoli's tower. At the end of June, on St. Ranieri, you can admire the spectacular event that lights up the Arno riverfront and its buildings with thousands of candles and spectacular fireworks.

Nestled between the sea and the mountains, Versilia owes much of its notoriety to beach resorts and nightlife that attract many tourists, especially during the warm season. But Versilia is much more than that. Each of its towns has peculiarities that make it worth visiting year-round. Discover the exclusivity of Forte dei Marmi, the charm of Viareggio, known for its famous carnival. Pietrasanta art, and the musical tradition of Torre del Lago.