When conjuring a mental image of Tuscany, most people will think of grassy hills, endless sunflower fields and geometrical rows of vineyards. A quick online search will fetch similar results. After all, that dreamy countryside is a large part of the region and its global appeal – this is a place where one can be immersed in nature and relax, perhaps while sipping on a floral-scented glass of red wine. However, as accurate as that portrayal may be, there is so much more to Tuscany than its beautiful countryside. Visit enchanting medieval hamlets (borghi), have unique gastronomic experiences, get to know ancient local customs and tour cities bursting at the seams with art and culture, many of which escape international fame.
So, go beyond the mainstream destinations and escape the ever-growing problem of overtourism with this guide to the top experiences to have on your next trip to Tuscany.
The island of Elba, the biggest in the Tuscan Archipelago, is big enough to contain two souls: one equipped with countless hospitality services, and its opposite side of the coin, where wild nature still reigns supreme. During your time on Elba, you can enjoy a splendid seaside vacation, snorkeling in aquamarine waters and eating fresh seafood on the beach, as well as embark on adventures in nature and trek to the highest peaks of the island. Elba is reachable year-round with ferries from Piombino.
Planning tip: If you are looking to unwind and unplug, rent an apartment in a remote hamlet on the island, such as Poggio, or a seafront view room at Hotel Antares on the beach of Capoliveri.
If you have never been, Florence is a must; an open-air museum, with its stunning Renaissance architecture of churches, bridges, palazzi (mansions), and public statues. Immerse yourself in the triumph of art that is the Galleria degli Uffizi, where you can see Botticelli’s masterpiece the Birth of Venus, among hundreds of other artworks. Michelangelo’s David awaits you at the Galleria dell’Accademia. You also can’t miss Florence’s Duomo, Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, with its enormous dome designed by Brunelleschi, along with the adjacent Baptistery. That’s not even scratching the surface of what Florence has to offer.
Planning tip: Florence deserves to be visited during low season, so you can avoid waiting in line at every turn. You shouldn’t see it all in a day, so plan to stay at least a weekend to take your time through the main sites.
Connect with the land through the animals that inhabit it, like the Tuscans of old. There is an ancient tradition of wild camaraderie between horses and humans in the plains of the Parco Regionale della Maremma. For millennia, horseback-riding shepherds called butteri
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The best time to visit Vietnam—one of two fabulous Southeast Asian countries that ranked in the top 10 list of best countries in the world according to Condé Nast Traveler readers—is whenever it (probably) won't rain. Vietnam is a study in bustling street scenes in cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, beautiful natural destinations like Hạ Long Bay, and beaches where you can unwind or party the night away. As such, you'll want the weather to cooperate, no matter which part of the long, coastal nation you end up visiting. To get the inside scoop on the best time to visit Vietnam, I spoke to two of Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Travel Specialists: Tisha Neufville of Neufville Travel, and Catherine Heald of Remote Lands, both of whom count Vietnam as a country of expertise in their capacity as travel advisors. Here, they break down when to visit, how long to stay, and where to go for your first time.
Where to eat and drink is a high priority for many travelers. For those who work in the industry, that’s especially the case. I’ve been in the wine business for more than 10 years, first as a wine buyer for a retail store in New York City, and then as a journalist for the past seven years. Finding the best places to get a glass in a new destination is one of the first things I research. This past summer, I headed to Athens for the first time and was intrigued by the city’s wine scene before even hitting the ground.
The best things to do in Australia go well beyond Bondi Beach and having a flat white. While those are absolute musts, there are plenty of other reasons to visit Australia over and over again, and at different times throughout the year.
At the Lodging Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, Larry Cuculic, the CEO of BWH Hotels, leaned forward, his West Point-honed posture softening as he warmed to his subject.