Highlights of Authentic Tuscany

• Discover Florence from an insider’s view, including the Ponte Vecchio, Brunelleschi’s Duomo, Michelangelo’s works, and hidden medieval family towers.
• Stroll through the Renaissance town of Pienza.
• Meander through the ancient streets and alleys of the medieval towns of Siena, Montepulciano and Cortona.
• Sip a glass of world-class Brunello wine.
• Walk in the hills around Montalcino and take in the sweeping vistas of the Val d’Orcia.
• Awaken your senses with a cooking class followed by an authentic mouth-watering Tuscan dinner.
• Learn about the ancient Etruscans.

Capri Delights

Italy’s Isle of Capri, a treasure in the Tyrrhenian Sea, a delight on or off  season

By Eva Stelzer

The Isle of Capri has drawn hedonistic visitors since Roman times. Today’s visitors represent the glamorous jet set, fashionistas and nature lovers alike.

Located in the Tyrrhenian Sea in the Campania region of Italy, Capri is the name of both the island and the main town. Breathtakingly beautiful Capri is swarmed in July and August, but May and September still boast amazing weather and thinner crowds, with enough action to keep any traveller happy. By late September the streets and alleys are quiet and you can get to know the locals.

Bring your most comfortable walking shoes! Most of Capri is closed to traffic and there are few parking places; mid-March to November there is no traffic allowed except for residents and those with motorbikes. If you get tired of walking take public buses or taxis.

Exploring on your own is exciting, but it’s always good to have a to-do list to fall back on. As Charles Dickens once wrote, “In no place on earth are there so many opportunities for delicious peace and quiet as on this small island.”

Here are five great picks for visiting Capri:

Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just want to appreciate an amazing view, the Path of the Gods on the Amalfi Coast is a must-see. From the grandeur of the mountains to the tranquility of the clear blue water, this series of pathways is the ideal way to move between the beautiful seaside and mountain villages of this idyllic location.

Many local farmers and villagers use these paths every day, a fact that will be even more impressive once you’ve seen the view for yourself. With thousand-foot cliffs at your feet (and no railing) being up there is an experience you’ll never forget. The natural beauty of the location gives a feeling of living in another time.

At the top of my list of fabulous things is walking through Tuscany’s network of white roads. These winding routes were originally carved out centuries ago by the enigmatic Etruscans, and later expanded by the Romans so that their war horses and soldiers could reach all parts of Europe from France to England. As a matter of fact, the sentence “all roads lead to Rome,” actually refers to this network of interconnecting trails. As cities grew they became neglected, left to be used by farmers and locals as they strolled from town to town.