Tuscany

Tuscany sprawls across central Italy like a Renaissance painting come to life. The Arno River cuts through the region's heart, connecting Florence to Pisa before emptying into the Tyrrhenian Sea. North of the river, the Chianti hills roll between Florence and Siena, their slopes thick with Sangiovese vines and silver-leafed olive groves. South lies the Val d'Orcia — those postcard-perfect hills you've seen everywhere, punctuated by medieval hilltop towns like Pienza and Montalcino. The Maremma coastline stretches along the west, offering beaches and the wild Parco della Maremma. But here's what surprises people: Tuscany isn't all gentle hills. The Apuan Alps rise dramatically near Carrara, where Michelangelo sourced his marble. And the Garfagnana valley cuts deep into the Apennine Mountains, offering hiking trails that most tourists never see. The region covers about 23,000 square kilometers — roughly the size of New Hampshire — so you'll need to pick your spots rather than trying to see everything in one trip.