Val D'Orcia is a beautiful valley located in the Siena area in Tuscany, Italy. Thanks to the beauty of its landscape, this natural area became a UNESCO world heritage site in 2004. Indeed these stunning panoramas, nowadays wisely preserved, have inspired several famous painters of the Tuscan Renaissance. Nestled in the heart of Val D'Orcia, you will find an architectural jewel that you can visit, the Abbey of Sant'Antimo.
If Leonardo da Vinci would build city walls he’d make them wide enough for bicycles and cars to fit. That’s exactly what Leonardo did for the city of Lucca in Tuscany. The region is famous for its cultural legacy and attracts tourists interested in geography, art, and cuisine. Apart from hotels in Lucca, there are also cottages and long-term rentals for them to stay. Lucca's ramparts enclose the city. Its cobblestone streets welcome tourists of all ages. Lucca's walls have been standing firm since the Middle Ages, and the towers continue to fascinate visitors. Lucca is a great starting point to explore other historic places in the region. Read on for the top day trips from Lucca, Italy.
14 kilometers from the Tyrrhenian Sea, lies Grosseto, a city in the central Italian region of Tuscany. With origins tracing back to the High Middle Ages (11th - 13th Centuries, c. 1001 - 1300), a visit to Grosseto is akin to taking a step back in time. Under the reign of the Medici family, the city was transformed into a fortress in the 14th century. Today, much of the architecture still remains and are well maintained. Walk through the streets with me, and discover the historical architecture that withstood the test of time.
