One of the best places in the world to visit is Italy. Most people also like to go backpacking through the whole of Europe, but should you choose to stay a while, you surely will not regret it. First of all, the natural wonders around you are simply breathtaking. From the glorious seaside which enjoys great weather all year-round, to the majestic mountains, to the vast countryside, to the flourishing cities. Everywhere you look, there is an adventure waiting for you and, for certain, magic to discover.

The region of Tuscany is one that holds a lot of wonderful surprises for the visiting tourist. Some of the more popular destinations here are Castiglioncello, Florence, Pisa, and Cortona. If you are lucky enough to come at the right time of the year, you might even be witness to spectacular town festivals and celebrations.

For example, the quaint little town of Cortona is a very interesting place. Every year, they hold a festival called the Tuscan Sun Festival (known locally as the Festival Del Sole). A lot of international artists and celebrities take part in this celebration, which is dedicated to the appreciation of music and the arts.

A trip to the Tuscan mountainside is filled with exciting activities as well. For one, Tuscany is a great place for winter sports like snowboarding, skiing and sledding. At other times of the year, you can visit the many parks and nature reserves like the Orecchiella Natural reserve and the Poggio Tre Cancelli Nature Reserve. If you are more of an adrenalin junkie, there is the opportunity to go rock-climbing in Lucca. For the more tranquil spirits, you can enjoy soothing spas, like the Casciana spa, a natural spa that has been around for over a millenium.

Tuscany has always been a kind of rustic paradise. A quick tour around will surely be entertaining. a lot of the architecture (like chapels and churches) here have been around for centuries. You can also enjoy quiet activities like wine-tasting, after all, the vineyards of Italy produce the world's most elegant wines. You can also sit back and relax while listening to classical or traditional music.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Tuscany is the city of Pienza, known as the 'ideal city of the Renaissance'. Towering over the Orcia Valley, this charming little village offers a fantastic panoramic view. It was thought up by Piccolomini (Pope Pius II) who wanted to transform his hometown into a Utopian city. He used the Renaissance as an inspiration for this. It was brought to life by the crafty and creative hands of 'Il Rossellino' the architect.