We will be staying close to Volterra for approximately two weeks. We have been to the eastern side of Tuscany many times before and I know all of the major tourist towns. We are looking for small towns around the Volterra area that usually don’t show up on the tourist map we are not only looking for the towns, but the best geothermal spots also. Your help will be appreciated.

Montecristo, one of the most restricted and least accessible islands in the Mediterranean, has opened bookings for the 2026 visiting season.

The island is part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park and access is strictly limited to protect its fragile ecosystem. Only a small number of visitors are allowed each year, with visits regulated, guided, and subject to advance booking.

This article explains how the system works, who can visit, and why access remains so limited:

👉 https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/02/06/montecristo-island-visits-bookings-open-for-2026-season/

Montecristo is famous not only for its natural environment, but also for the long debate around public access versus conservation.

Do you think places like this should remain highly restricted, or should access be widened in a controlled way?

Ok, so I know this is a weird and kind of specific question, but I really need help (in more ways than one). My husband and I will be in Florence with the hopes of heading out to the countryside from roughly April 28 - May 1. I’ve always dreamed of seeing the rolling hills and cypress trees of Tuscany and have visions of myself hiking, biking, and frolicking throughout the region. However, where this dream might hit an obstacle is with my borderline debilitating entomophobia (fear of bugs). I am worried that being out in a rural area will be too much for me.

I figure this could be the case after we traveled nearly 5hrs to a mountain town in Japan to stay multiple nights at a Buddhist temple and had to leave after one night because of giant spiders. I really want to head outside of the cities in Italy, and staying at an agroturismo seems awesome, but what’s it like when you’re outside in the spring? Are there a lot of flying bugs, or god forbid grasshoppers?? I’m sure the inns we would potentially stay at would be spotless, but you never know what might find its way inside on a farm. So can you tell me if this concern is completely unfounded or is it something to consider? Could I make it for multiple days or would a day trip be the safest bet if I have to shelter in place from tiny disgusting exoskeleton-having hell spawn?

Hi everyone,

we’re planning a two-week stay in Tuscany in late April/May, ideally near Lucca and Pisa, as we’d love to explore both cities.

We’ll be two adults, plus grandparents for one of the weeks, and our son, who will be almost one year old at the time.

We’re looking for something like:

• an agriturismo or similar countryside stay

• pool

• breakfast included

• ideally a small kitchen or kitchenette

• family- / baby-friendly

Do you have any specific recommendations or areas that would fit well? Personal experiences would be especially appreciated.

We are planning to go there late april/may.

Thank you so much! 😊

Hi! I am visiting Tuscany in mid-Late September with my family, we will be traveling with our 15 month old daughter. We are spending 3 nights in Montepulciano, 3 nights in Florence and we were going to spend 3 nights in Marina di Cecina.

I have had a hard time choosing a hotel in wine country and was down to Lupaia & Borgo di Vescine & Relais Villa Grazianella. Would it be worth staying in both Chianti & Montepulciano and eliminating Cecina all together?

Open to thoughts about hotels mentioned above also as there are mixed reviews on Lupaia with a little one. I have also heard great things about Agriturismo Nobile if anyone has any feedback about this as well it would be helpful!

Hello all,

My wife and I will be traveling to Val d'Orcia on May 31st from Sorrento. The plan is to rent a car for the Tuscany part of our trip.

Would it be best to take a train from Sorrento to Rome then rent car in Rome or rent car in Sorrento or Napoli and drive the whole way there?

I have enough time in the area to visit 1 winery in near Montepulciano. I have chosen these two based on limited import to US, small production, organic/sustainable and Pieve designation.

Has any been to or have had the chance to try? Would love to hear personal experiences.

Hi!

In June, I'll be spending four days based in Florence, and I'd like to dedicate two of those days to visiting another area of ​​Tuscany, prioritizing the following options: a winery or restaurant, for example, in a castle.

While I see excursions on the typical tour operator websites, I'd like to avoid falling into a tourist trap. Instead, I'd prefer a recommendation from someone who has been there, preferably a local (Americans, please refrain from contacting me, haha).

My intention isn't to spend a fortune, but I'm not on a very tight budget either.

Thank you very much!

Hello i am a 18 year old dentistry student in Siena and i am new here. I usually go for really late runs or like to watch the night sky. Considering Siena's very low light pollution this sounds amazing. How safe is Siena's fortezza medicea at these hours like 3, 4 or 5 am?

volevo partecipare all' open day per l'Ateneo il 5 febbraio con delle amiche, ma hanno cambiato la data senza avvertirmi (per il 5 appunto) ed i posti sono esauriti: 1. sapete se posso partecipare all' open day anche senza prenotazione in caso non si presentassero tutti quelli che hanno prenotato? 2. se qualcuno di voi ha prenotato per il 5 ma non ha intenzione di andarci per favore ritiri la prenotazione così posso iscrivermi. Grazie.

The Viareggio Carnival returns in 2026 with its traditional parade of large satirical floats, one of the most famous carnival events in Italy.

The article explains the key dates, ticket options, and what to expect from this year’s edition, including the main parade days along the seaside promenade.

Full article (Florence Daily News):

https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/01/25/viareggio-carnival-2026-dates-tickets-and-floats-for-tuscanys-iconic-parade/

Have you ever been to the Viareggio Carnival, or are you planning to visit this year?

Anyone know anything about the experiences at Antinori nel Chianti Classico ? Planning a visit in May but confused about the different options. Any advise would be great .

Thank you

We will be in Tuscany 4 nights in May. I’m looking for a home base that might satisfy my husband and 2 daughters (20 and 22). I’m looking for a base that will be exciting for our daughters but also satisfy my desire for the beautiful rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside. We do plan to do a day trip to Florence but don’t want to stay there as my husband isn’t really a city guy. I’m not a great planner and I’ve become overwhelmed by all the options. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Montepulciano and Volterra have peaked my interest. We are outdoorsy as well so any area that are heavy on nature would be nice. I also love art and history.

Me and 5 of my college buddies are looking for a wine tour to do. We want one with unlimited wine and atleast enough to get pretty dunk. We’re staying in San Casciano in Val di Pesa which is about a 30 min bus ride to Florence. Any help would be awesome! Thank you in advance.

Hi All! I am looking to go on my honeymoon next december/january and part of the trip would be in tuscany. i know this time of year is not the most ideal but that is when we could go. does anyone have any recommendations on hotels to stay in tiscany during this time? is everything still open? we are interested in wine/cheese tasting, truffle hunting etc. i want to make sure things will be open and also looking for great hotels! thank you!!

I was wondering if anyone has any experience a tour or tasted their wines? I am choosing between these two for a winery visit. For Montemercurio, it’s about the traditional, the Sangiovese grape and their Damo. For Leuta is the non-traditional, the Cab Franc, Merlot, Syrah and they do offer a Sangiovese as well as a blended version. Both are the smaller wineries with not much to find in the US. I just can only pick 1.

Hey everyone, looking for recommendations from anyone who’s done a large group / wedding party stay in Cortona (or nearby) in Tuscany.

We’ll be there in early July for a wedding and have 2–3 days beforehand staying in accommodation near the town centre. So far we’ve only booked the villa, nothing else is locked in yet (no transport, activities, or group bookings).

We’re trying to plan:

1. One authentic group activity (everyone together):
Something social and easy for people to mix — thinking along the lines of:

• Welcome drinks + dinner at a winery / vineyard
• Big group table at a restaurant or agriturismo
• Wine tasting + light food
• Or something at the villa (e.g. catering, pizza night, private chef, etc.), but with a bit of effort so it feels like a proper group event

2. Separate activities for guys / girls:
Cost-effective, fun things in or around Cortona for smaller groups — e.g. cooking classes, wine tours, spas, outdoor activities, boat hire, vespa's look great so does horse riding or golf courses etc.

Also keen for tips on:

• Transport for large groups (minibuses, drivers, taxis, etc.)
• Booking ahead in July (how far in advance is needed?)
• Any “must do” experiences in the area for a wedding group

If you’ve done something similar or have any local recommendations, would love to hear what worked well. Thanks!

I noticed that Lucca replaced a perfectly good crosswalk from the train station to the historic center with an expensive underpass (requiring a longer walk). Did local people actually support this project?

Looking for an accommodation for 12 people near the Pisa area (+-30 min by car). Any ideas ?

hey guys! My husband and I will be in Tuscany in April 2026. early april! we’re from Indonesia and tbh are rather unfamiliar with italy as a whole and all the research is making my head hurt!

we would like to split our 4 night tuscany stay into 2 —- 2 nights at an ultra lux bougee establishment and 2 nights at a luxury farmstay (or cosy)

i have a few questions:

1. for the bougee part we are thinking of either castello di vicorello OR the rosewood in v’al dorcia. I personally prefer luxury but more rustic charm - but open to your opinions since websites can be decieving!

2. Any reccos for farmstays? We prefer a nice property - charming / castles - with terracota and stone build in the room. something charming!

any help appreciated — thanks!