The Tuscan region has already built a name for itself; resonating with power, art and fashion all over the world and it tops many lists as an impressive holiday destination.  With attractions such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Piazza del Campo or the wonders of Florence, Tuscany is bursting with postcard-perfect landscapes, living history and outstanding traditional art.  However, while its urban scenes might be a definite appeal, the Tuscan countryside is brimming with ancestral places, traditions and activities just waiting to be discovered and enjoyed.
 
A Picnic on Monte Amiata
 
We can thank Mount Amiata, an ancient volcano, for the present day Tuscan landscapes, spotted with small picturesque villages and towns.  A trip to this 1,700 metre-tall mountain will guarantee an atypical but fun way to enjoy the green forests, ideally positioned for a picnic or a barbeque.  The serenity and the pine aromas will give you the appetite to savour region dishes such as the cacciucco or pici con ragù, washing it all down with a flavoursome Italian wine.
 
A Hike in Borgo Di Isola Santa
 
Another unconventional but stunning location in Tuscany, the mountain-dotted area of Garfagnana is ideal for a relaxing hike up to the even more remote setting of the hamlet of Isola Santa, located just near a mountain lake in the heart of the Apuan Alps.  The abandoned surroundings, sprinkled with old farmhouses and isolated villages and towns, are excellent for a meditation hideaway and a spiritual recollection of the mind.
 
Explore the Casentino Forest
 
Near Arezzo, in the middle of the medieval Tuscany and in a highly traditional setting you can stumble upon this forest area called Casentino.  Even though the forest is at present a national park, its natural and calming qualities are still exploited.  Hiking and horseback riding are just few of the activities that the locals enjoy.  The most impressive sites, among castles and old churches, are the Camaldoli Hermitages and La Verna, popular destinations for pilgrims.
 
Sail to the Tuscan Archipelago
 
The Tuscan Archipelago is a chain of islands, such as Elba or Montecristo, which are part of the National Park, a very popular tourist destination among divers and sea lovers.  Sailing is always very pleasurable and the Park’s administration organises daily mini-cruises for the passionate ones.  The meeting point is at Castiglione della Pescaia or Porto Santo Stefano and the trip usually includes seafood meals on board and several stops to visit the Archipelago’s numerous islands. 

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