Plan My Journey

Destinations — June 2026

Tuscany Beyond Florence

Val d'Orcia, Maremma, Casentino: three landscapes that carry a second Tuscan journey.

6 minutes

Historic palazzo with garden in soft Tuscan morning light

A first Tuscan trip almost always leads to Florence and Siena. The second is often the better one, because it makes time for landscapes that know no queues.

Val d'Orcia

The best known of the three and still far quieter than the cities. Pienza, Montalcino, San Quirico — linked in a day, enjoyed over three. The hours before eight belong to photographers and farmers.

Maremma

The south of the region: pine woods, hot springs, a sea that does not fit on a postcard. The most unhurried version of Tuscany for anyone combining coast and countryside.

Casentino

Forests, monasteries, few international guests. For a third or fourth visit, when the known places are behind you.

A good order: two nights in the city, then a week in the country. Not the reverse.

Continue on Pure Voyage

Back to the Journal

Also in the Journal

Pure Voyage NoteDestination Note

Where is it worth staying longer?

The Maremma and the Val d'Orcia. Both need time, because distances are long and the towns small — day trips do not do them justice. Allow three nights per area and one day with no plan. Country restaurants stop serving lunch early; reserve, even when the place looks empty.

Noted by Pure Voyage

Continue through Pure Voyage

Where to go from here

Not a catalogue, but a next step: the houses, routes, countries and essays we would mention at this point in a conversation.

An Invitation

Once a month: hotels, new openings and travel ideas

One hotel that convinced us, with our advice on suite and season. The openings that actually matter. And a destination at its best right now. No offers, no advertising.