Tuscany marvel

The Italian region of Tuscany is a feast for all the senses. It is a creative incubator that has cultivated the art and architecture of the Etruscan, Roman, Renaissance and modern eras. Crumbling churches, once stages of the 19th-century Grand Tours, stand proudly in town squares. The rolling wheat hills and colorful olive groves that inspire authentic Tuscan cuisine are dotted with villas built by the prestigious Medici family. The Tyrrhenian Sea stretches off its shores, bathing the shore of Elba, the island where Emperor Napoleon was exiled. Picturesque villages, historic towns and bustling cities are scattered across its landscape, which is almost as varied as the communities themselves. From the annual horse races in the Piazza del Campo and the centuries-old winemaking traditions of the Chianti region to the city of Pisa, an ancient maritime republic known for the youthful spirit of its Scuola Normale Superiore and Leaning Tower, Tuscany is the place to be, where thousands of people come to relive its history and soak up the beauty of a region.