"The Ideal City To celebrate his becoming Pope, the 15th-century Pius II commissioned Florentine architect Bernardo Gambarelli to reimagine his birthplace—then named Corsignano—as the ideal Renaissance town, using then-revolutionary humanist urban planning concepts. The result was Pienza (renamed in the Pope’s honor), a town so perfectly ordered and livable, its layout was quickly imitated all over Italy and then eventually throughout Europe. Wander around Pienza today and it still seems pretty idyllic (it's designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site), with the streets in the historic center boasting adorable names (think “Love Street” and “Kiss Street”) and the views postcard-perfect down every lane and out to the Val d’Orcia countryside. And then there’s the smell of cheese: Pienza is famous for sheep’s milk–based pecorino, and its scent wafts out of every other doorway; it’s strong at first, but once you’ve tasted the cheese, and seen how it’s made, you’ll come to love it. Make sure to check out the trapezoidal main piazza, which is bordered by the Duomo and three historic palazzi. Palazzo Vescovile is home to two museums focusing on textiles and religious artifacts, and the Palazzo Piccolomini boasts a stunning internal courtyard and Italian Renaissance garden."

"Summer in Tuscany Last summer we spent an unforgettable week in Tuscany, in the little town of Castiglione della Pescaia. It's a typical small coastal town, with people on scooters everywhere, terraces full of people enjoying cappuccinos, and fishermen going out to sea early in the morning and being awaited in the evening by customers looking for the freshest catch. Castiglione della Pescaia is known for its beaches, and a visit to the church on the hill in the center of town will give you some spectacular views at sunset. It is also very close to a few beautiful vineyards. Holiday rentals are not as expensive as in other parts of Tuscany, and the location is perfect if you want to visit Rome , Pisa, Florence , or Cinque Terre, as the town is within two or three hours' drive from all of them."

"Summer (and Carnival) Fun For sand, sun, and fun on the Tuscan Riviera, head to this idyllic town bordered by the Tyrrhenian Sea on one side and the peaks of Masa Carrara (home to the famous while marble of the same name) on the other. Originally built as the port for nearby Lucca, the town now draws summer crowds with six miles of sandy shores; there are both private and public beaches, with most of the latter set in the protected Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli regional park. Mingle with bronzed beachgoers, locals, and jet-setters along the nearly-two-mile-long La Passeggiata, a pedestrian street running parallel to the water and lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes; the composer Puccini regularly found inspiration along this stretch. But summer is not the only high season here: The annual Carnevale, taking place over the four weeks leading up to Lent, is considered one of the top carnival experiences in the world, and draws thousands of revelers with its elaborate floats, over-the-top costumes, and lively street parties."

"Wine, Olive Oil, and Beautiful Views in Monteriggioni Monteriggioni is a tiny walled town populated by a handful of shops and restaurants. But, in its day, it was front line defence for Siena from the rival Florentines. In fact, it was so important that the town was even mentioned in Dante’s Divine Comedy . The views from the castle walls are splendid—rolling hills and wineries, as far as the eye can see. From here, it’s easy to see why Monteriggioni was a strategic lookout point. But the best thing about Monteriggioni is the local wine, Monte Chiaro, which you can taste at the nearby winery. Monte Chiaro offers a range of wines, from bright whites to the richest of reds. They are all superb but the 345 Chianti, the Brunello di Montalcino, and the Primum Vinum all found their way home with us. The shop also stocks local olive oil, honey, and other tasty regional treats."