Tuscany has so much to offer. Here are just a few of the popular destinations we visit.

Lucca is an ancient Roman city located about an hour outside of Florence. It is unique in that it is one of the few remaining fortified cities in Italy. The walls, stretching two and a half miles around Lucca, were built in the 16th and 17th centuries. Although they were initially designed as a vast defensive system, they were never used and, in the 1800's, were converted into a park and promenade. Every Sunday you can find people of all ages strolling or riding their bikes on the lovely walls of Lucca. Factoid: Lucca was once ruled by Napoleon's sister, Elisa Baciocchi, from 1805-1815.

Florence, or Firenze as it is called in Italian, is home to the most famous Renaissance art in Europe. Here you will find Michelangelo's David, Boticelli's Venus, and Caravaggio's Bacchus. Italy's greatest art gallery, Museo di Ufizzi is located here as well as the beautiful and picturesque Ponte Vecchio, the only bridge in Florence to survive the second world war. Besides all the amazing art, some of the best shopping in Italy is found in Florence, everything from designer clothing to handcrafted leather bags to elegant gold jewelry.

San Gimignano is a personal favorite of mine. It is a small and charming medieval village set atop a hill in the heart of Tuscany. Narrow and winding cobblestone streets, 13th century architecture and views seemingly untouched by the modern world, San Gimignano will leave you feeling as though you have stepped back in time.

Siena is located in the rolling hills of Tuscany not far from San Gimignano. Siena has much to see but it is famous for the centuries old Palio, a horse race held yearly in the Piazzo del Campo. A tour here is essential here for the unique architecture and art to be fully appreciated, not to mention a full history on the extremely competitive and intense races of the Palio. The Italians are passionate about their sports, or at least passionate about beating their competitors!

Venice-OK we're cheating a bit here as Venice is definitely not in Tuscany but who can resist Venice? It is magical, it is the place we think of when we think of Italy. Who hasn't watched a movie with some lucky actor enjoying a leisurely ride in a Gondola? Venice has the beautiful San Marcos square, where there are more pigeons than people, where the churches are uniquely filled with every color of marble inlay you can imagine.

Besides Venice is slowly sinking and it would be such a shame to go through your life and not see the classic and stunning city that is Venice.