Stefania & João
Tuscany/Toscana
Lucca
Known as the city of 100 towers (that's how many there used to be apparently!), Lucca is a very well preserved medieval Italian town enclosed by monumental city walls designed by Leonardo da Vinci. It has cute cobbled streets and handsome piazzas making it an ideal spot for an aperitivo and some local shopping. In July it also hosts the Lucca summer fest with some huge names performing (Paul McCartney and Celine Dion!) Highlights: Cattedrale di San Martino, City Walls, Torre Guinigi (where Joao proposed!)
Pietrasanta
One of Stefania and Joao's favorite summer getaways - enjoy the incredible architecture and art scene of Pietrasanta. Famous for having outdoor art exhibitions every summer in the main square. Famous Colombian sculpture Fenrando Botero lives in Pietrasanta and you can find many of his sculptures throughout the town
Pisa
The famous Piazza dei Miracoli, where the Duomo and leaning tower of Pisa are located is a must-see. However, the center of town with its Romanesque buildings, Gothic churches and Renaissance piazzas with a lively street life is worthy of a visit as well. Take a walk along the river at sunset for lovely views.
Viareggio
Stefania's family vacation home is in the beach town of Viareggio and her dad was born here. Enjoy a day at this beach filled with 'Wes Anderson-esque' establishment. Cycle the seaside promenade filled with great shops and restaurants. Grab a gelato at Gelateria Nilo's or a 'budino di riso' at Galliano (stef's favorite pastry). Within a 10 minute car drive you can also reach Torre del Lago, home to Puccini and where you can see amazing opera perfomances overlooking the lake.
Forte dei Marmi
Known as the poshest beach location in Tuscany, it is popular with football players, italian politicians and russian oligarchs. Perfect for some celebrity spotting and big brand shopping, as well a just a nice walk along well curated roads with high end boutiques. It also hosts a very famous market (mercato di Forte dei Marmi) where you can find very high quality italian items (like cashmere or leather) straight from the factories of big brands at affordable prices.
Cinque Terre
Set amid very dramatic coastal scenery, these five ingeniously constructed fishing villages are a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997. Small paths traverse seemingly impregnable cliff sides, while a 19th-century railway line cut through a series of coastal tunnels ferries the footsore from village to village. The Cinque Terre (Noth to South): Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore