Pietrasanta

We visited Pietrasanta for the first time last year and were blown away. It gives as much Athens or Ojai as it does Tuscan village — which it technically is. This is a vibrant artistic town in Versilia at the foothills of the Apuan Alps — known for its historic marble workshops it is also filled to the brim with contemporary art galleries, medieval architecture and farm to table restaurants largely run by locals.

Beyond just being a stunning place to spend some time, one of the best parts of Pietrasanta is its location — nestled in a woodsy foothill location but 12 minutes to the luxurious beachside Forte dei Marmi, 30 minutes to the ancient city of Lucca and less than 90 minutes back to Florence.

Beyond the aforementioned, make sure to hit Piazza del Duomo, the sculpture-filled Museo dei Bozzetti, Cenoteca 122, Locanda Del Gusto and Osteria Stappasogni.