Cities bursting with priceless art? Florence, Lucca, and Siena fit the bill. Spectacular hill towns with gentle rhythms and sweet piazzas? Bagno Vignoni, Monteriggioni and Massa Marittima are only the start of a list of villages that will steal your heart. Add in top notch-spas focusing on local treatments alongside natural thermal waters, outdoor pursuits from trekking to mountain biking, and tucked away beaches for gentle swims to see why healthy types love the region.

Restaurants exemplify the Italian-invented slow food movement, and eating a bistecca alla Fiorentina or pici with truffles, alongside a Brunello or Super Tuscan wine is a wonderful education in the ingredients of this fertile area. For sybarites, sexy, one-of-a-kind hotels draw fans with infinity pools, custom beds, and wicked views over the unspoiled landscape.