Whenever I return to Tuscany, I’m reminded of what Leonardo da Vinci famously said, “Tuscany is the ultimate canvas, painted with the hues of history and culture.” Each trip I take paints a more vivid set of colors on my happy memories of this Italian region. Every stone wall, every vineyard, and every rolling hillside—framed in tall cypress trees—fills me with a sense of tranquility. 

The Tuscany of my memory boasts a golden light, illuminating the countryside with a warm glow, and the smell of lavender and rosemary perfume the air. That is my mental painting of Tuscany, recreated every time I visit.