Nothing beats the colors and shapes of Italy’s own Cinque Terre. As they cover a stretch of the Liguria coast that can either be discovered by boat, train, bus or bike, you may visit the tiny villages of Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso and Riomaggiore in no particular order. Here’s a hint you might need for a nice itinerary.

As you walk up the long Lardarina stairway, challenge yourself to count the steps and not be distracted meanwhile by one of the best panoramic views of coastal Italy. No matter how focused you might be, Corniglia will fill your eyesight with fresh green vineyard hills and tiny little houses that paint the deep blue sea a thousand shades of red, yellow and pink, from the edge of a three hundred feet-high cliff.

Via dell'Amore is a half a mile-long stretch of the Sentiero Azzurro (blue path) that is carved into the rock amidst the Mediterranean scrub.  This romantic pathway above the sea level links the charming villages of Manarola and Riomaggiore: among their picturesque tower houses you will find the majestic fourteenth century building of the Church of San Lorenzo and the Sanctuary of Montenero. From up here, on a clear day you might even see the lines of Isola d’Elba and Corse beyond the horizon. Take a good break at one of the small bars that lively up the heart of old Riomaggiore, and enjoy a glass of local Sciacchetrà wine.

As the road and the sun begin to approach the sea, watch the locals pull their fishing boats up by the tiny port of Riomaggiore. Once back onto the lively inner streets of the village, a mosaic-decorated tunnel will lead you to the railway station, where trains leave for all other four Cinque Terre.

A spur separates the natural port of Vernazza from the centre of the village. Visit the iconic Belforte Tower and the terrace of the Doria Castle, to enjoy a breathtaking view of the coast up to the near Monterosso - which hosts the biggest beach in the Cinque Terre. Of the thirteen medieval towers that used to protect the burg from foreign attacks, Torre Aurora still looms up against the colorful landscape. From the little harbor, take the street that leads up to Colle San Cristoforo and snap a good shot of the eighteenth century Church of San Francesco in the day’s last rays of light.

Useful tips:

• What to buy in Cinque Terre: the little artisanal shops are a must-see. Pop by one and be amazed by the beauty of the unique handcrafted souvenirs and the artistic canvas paintings.
• What to taste in Cinque Terre: farinata di ceci, a pancake made with chickpea flour, and testaroli al pesto, freshly hand-made pasta with the authentic pesto sauce.
• What to sip in Cinque Terre: Sciacchetrà delle Cinque Terre is a top-notch local dessert wine

Visiting Florence in one day can be a real challenge, but it's worth it. It will be a day to remember, to live with intensity, because no Tuscan city more than Florence will give you such an intense experience, so rich in beauty, colors, fragrances and flavors.

Walking through an open-air museum

The great thing about Florence is that to enjoy its history, you don’t necessarily need to rush in one of its many museums. Of course, if you can not resist the allure of Michelangelo's David you have to visit the Accademia. Or if you feel the irresistible lure of Botticelli's Venus, you have to make a stop at the Uffizi Gallery. Otherwise, if you have limited time, you can simply have a walk. Stop to admire the magnificent facade of the Church of San Lorenzo - so plain and yet so fascinating. Pay homage to the Signori of Florence at the Medici Chapels. If you want to enjoy a truly magnificent view, climb up on top of the Bell Tower, next to the majestic dome of the Cathedral designed by Brunelleschi. Finally continue until Piazza Signoria, cross the Ponte Vecchio and reach Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens, where to sit for a snack in the open air or just to rest your legs.

Useful tips:

• If you want to visit a museum in Florence, perhaps with a guide who speaks your language, book the visit and buy the tickets in advance

A culinary adventure

While walking through Florence, you will have the opportunity to experience 360 ​​degrees the culinary excellence of Tuscany. If you have no idea what to eat, stop by the new Mercato Centrale di Firenze (Via dell'Ariento), where some of the best cooks offer many specialties of the area, such as burgers of Chianina meat, salami and other high quality cold cuts, Chianti Classico DOC wine glasses, fresh homemade pasta and dishes with truffles. The ambience is casual and metropolitan and the prices are convenient. For a chic snack, try Procacci (Via Tornabuoni 64 / r) one of the oldest cafes in the city, where you can taste a flute of bubbly wine with the famous truffle sandwiches. For a hot chocolate or a slice of cake there is Rivoire (Signoria Square), and for an ice cream you can try the historic Vivoli (Via Isola delle Stinche 7 / r), the oldest ice cream shop in town. Finally, if you have the courage to try something really special, you can dare to taste the local street food: a plate of "lampredotto" or a sandwich with "trippa", both made with beef entrails - two Florentine specialties that can scare you but have an indescribable taste.

Useful tips:

• What to buy in Florence: a leather bag at the San Lorenzo Market, one of the magnificent jewels at the boutiques on Ponte Vecchio or a precious fragrance at the Officina Profumo Santa Maria Novella.
• What to taste in Florence: there are so many dishes not to miss. Among all, try ribollita and pappa al pomodoro, two simple but delicious soups
• What to drink in Florence: a DOCG Chianti Classico is a must

Visit the Val d'Orcia and Volterra and discover one of the most fascinating landscapes of Italy, made of small medieval villages, scattered among the gentle Tuscan hills at the foot of the majestic Mount Amiata.

So many movies have been shot among the deserted crete senesi, the fields of grain, the olive groves and the fine vineyards of these places. Ettore Scola, Franco Zeffirelli, Luchino Visconti and Ridley Scott are among the filmmakers that have chosen the Val d’Orcia for their masterpieces.

A tour in this stunning land, so rich in art, history, tradition, wine and food, will be definitely unforgettable.

Tour of 2 or 3 days

Val d'Orcia

A large pool covers the beautiful Piazza delle Sorgenti of Bagno Vignoni, a characteristic village in the heart of the Val d'Orcia. Since Roman times, a spring of hot water flows from the underground into the pool, around which the church of San Giovanni Baptist and other prestigious Renaissance buildings stand. The spring water crosses the entire village, that’s why Bagno Vignoni features some of the best spa hotels of the area.

Start your tour here and you will not be disappointed.

The Chapel of Our Lady of Vitaleta boasts a unique panoramic location that you can easily reach from Bagno Vignoni even by bike. Inside the ancient bastions of San Quirico d'Orcia you will find the monumental Medici Gardens called Horti Leonini, while a dusty road from the historic center will lead you to the panoramic Ripa d'Orcia. If you want to try excellent wines and food, visit Montalcino with its Brunello vineyards and discover the magnificent Renaissance town of Pienza, accompanied by a tasting of the excellent local pecorino.

Chiusdino

In the heart of the Crete Senesi, do not miss the opportunity to admire the Desert of Accona, a landscape characterized by whitewashed, clayey hills and sandy crags that give it an unusual lunar appearance. Reach Chiusdino, which is home to one of the most renowned Tuscan places: the Abbey of San Galgano, a stunning roofless church dating back to the thirteenth-century with the legendary sword in the rock of San Galgano.

Volterra

Surrounded by kilometers of impressive city walls, Volterra is one of the most important Etruscan cities of Tuscany. Do not forget to visit the Roman Theater and the Etruscan Acropolis; the 13th-century Palazzo dei Priori, which is the oldest municipal building in Tuscany; the 12th-century cathedral and the majestic Medicean Fortress, dominating the city from the highest point of the Volterra Mountain.

Useful tips:

• What to buy: artistic pottery and alabaster souvenirs
• What to taste: homemade pasta with wild boar sauce, Pienza cheese, extra virgin olive oil and cinta senese DOP, to sip with an excellent Brunello di Montalcino.