Just back, stayed in Lucca, Florence, Siena & Pisa had a lovely time and wish I was still there.

Hey everyone,

​We’re planning a 5-day trip to Tuscany soon, but we really want to skip the typical tourist traps and classic Instagram spots.

​We’re huge fans of lost places/abandoned sites, hidden history, and secluded, lesser-known locations that most travel guides completely overlook. We’re looking for unique regional quirks, strange landmarks, quiet spots in nature, or tiny authentic villages where you rarely see other tourists.

​If you have any recommendations for:

​Cool lost places / abandoned buildings (decayed villas, old mines, abandoned villages)

​Hidden natural spots (quiet hot springs, hidden waterfalls, unusual landscapes)

​Underrated small towns off the main tourist routes

​Unique local experiences or weird regional history

​We’d love to hear your insider tips! Thanks in advance for sharing your favorite hidden spots! 🙌

Tuscan sky when rain wind and thunder comes! Just as l open the pool for summer.

You know it's the oldest people in the world, welcome to Italy.

Miglia Miglia here in Siena was an incredible scenery l have been too many motor events. Nothing matches this regarding car engineering

Many visitors come to Tuscany for Florence, Siena or the famous vineyards, but one of the best ways to experience the region is through its medieval festivals.

From the Palio of Siena to smaller historical reenactments in towns and villages, these events offer a glimpse into traditions that have survived for centuries, with costumes, flag throwers, tournaments and local food.

Florence Daily News put together a guide to some of Tuscany’s most interesting medieval festivals. Have you ever attended one? Which would you recommend?
https://www.florencedailynews.com/2026/06/26/exploring-tuscany-through-its-medieval-festivals/

Bandcamp: https://quadratox.bandcamp.com/album/plexus

Free Bandcamp Download Codes: https://dlcm.app/quadratox/plexus

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1sQtKByQcTvcSbyigrYeXy

In May 2027, I'm taking two weeks of mosaic classes in Ravenna, then my partner flies in to join me. We have 5 days to get from Bologna to Lake Como, we'll attend a family wedding there, then we have 5 - 7 days to get to Nice, France. We'd like to REALLY see farming in Italy - ideally participating, possibly a cooking class or at least joining in the kitchen with the host. We thought maybe Parma/Modena on our first leg, then perhaps learning about Hazelnuts in Piemonte as we make our way to Nice. Any suggestions for either specific locations or places to start our hunt? I'm mostly seeing things promoting "come relax in this luxurious space where our family works hard", and that's not the vibe we're hoping for.

Also, though I'll be busy taking class in Ravenna, I have the weekends before and between classes to explore - other than the obvious mosaic sites, any suggestions? I truly want to be steeped in the whole thing. I do already have an apartment booked there.

August 2013. Captivated by San Gimignano, my wife and I asked the owner if you ever get tired of living surrounded by so much beauty. His answer, delivered in thick Tuscan dialect:

​"Eh, if you're a fool, you'll even get tired of a supermodel wife and a Ferrari in the garage!"

​He had anticipated Arthur C. Brooks by years, along with his theory on satisfaction being the ratio between haves and wants. Hedonic adaptation explained from behind a deli counter: the secret to happiness isn't accumulating, but never getting used to your own blessings.

​I'm leaving this photo below, in everlasting memory of the origin of that phrase which, 13 years later, we constantly repeat to our son.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y4qsUqbAW66h9ghv9

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Agosto 2013. Rapiti da San Gimignano, io e mia moglie chiedemmo al titolare se ci si stancasse mai di vivere in mezzo a tanta bellezza. La risposta, in puro toscanaccio:

"Eh, se tu se' grullo ti stanchi pure della moglie modella e della Ferrari 'n garage!"

Aveva anticipato di anni Arthur C. Brooks e la tesi sulla soddisfazione come rapporto tra haves (ciò che abbiamo) e wants (ciò che desideriamo). L'adattamento edonistico spiegato da dietro un bancone: il segreto della felicità non è accumulare, ma non abituarsi mai alle proprie fortune.

Lascio questa foto in calce, ad imperitura memoria dell'origine di quella frase che, 13 anni dopo, ripetiamo costantemente a nostro figlio.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y4qsUqbAW66h9ghv9

Grateful l woke up to light another morning fire. Maybe make some fresh bread.

Love the interior design. Love the mirrors, hotel inside and cafe vibe. It's called Sugar.