7-Nights Tuscan Treats & Cinque Terre Journey from $2,349

Tuscany is a charmed land, equally blessed by the genius of man and nature,
and often by the combined efforts of both. Think of the vineyards: rows of baby
green vines that manage somehow to march in arrow-straight formation up the
gently rolling hillsides, bounded by single files of darker green cypress trees,
snaking sandy roads leading to rust-colored farmhouses and moss-coated castles,
symmetrically rounded hilltops surmounted by towns so homogeneous as to seem
one single building. Every inch of land has been sculpted, first by the elements
and then by generations of inhabitants whose goals were always twofold: make
the land produce as much as possible, make the land as beautiful as possible.
Tuscany enchants us today because it holds together as a region, from the tiniest
hamlet to Florence the Magnificent. For the living proof, take a short walk
one day along the sides of the Belvedere in Florence: you will leave behind
the traffic and suddenly find yourself strolling down quiet lanes bounded by
tall stone walls, cypress trees and creamy-colored villas.

A distinct shadow of Etruscan past, Volterra is perched at an elevation of almost 2,000 ft/609 m. It was one of the original neolithic settlements in the area, dating back to the ninth century B.C.

Its Duomo offers visitors the chance to see baroque paintings, terra-cotta nativity figures in the Lady Chapel (Cappella dell'Addolorata) and carved portraits of Volterra's Saints.

Palazzo dei Priori is the Gothic town hall and one of the oldest standing structures of its genre in Tuscany. Florence's Palazzo Vecchio was modeled after Volterra's.

To explore the town's Etruscan past, visit Museo Etrusco Guarnacci, one of the world's best-curated collections of Etruscan treasures. For more ancient ruins, Teatro Romano contains Tuscany's best-kept ancient Roman remains, including theaters, baths and the original gateway to Etruscan Volterra, Porta all'Arco.

Volterra also has a Civic Museum, which serves as the town's main art and culture gallery, exhibiting vast collections of paintings by local artists from the 12th to 17th centuries. The building itself is a splendid representation of Renaissance architecture, and there is a nicely manicured courtyard inside.

A lovely and unspoiled walled city, Lucca once enjoyed a position of power in Italy second only to Florence. Today, it's famous as the birthplace of composer Giacomo Puccini, as well as for its silks and olive oil, and it has become a favorite spot for artists and writers.

When in Lucca, do what the locals do: Enjoy a leisurely walk while taking in the town's best sights. Spend some time walking along the city's ramparts, 3 mi/5 km long and wide enough to have grassy lawns and an occasional park bench. In town, take a walk down the medieval streets, stopping at the 14th-century Duomo San Martino to see Nicola Pisano's Descent From the Cross and the Volto Santo (Holy Face). It is said to have been carved by Nicodemus, who witnessed the Crucifixion, and is one of medieval Europe's most famous relics.

Walk down the Via Fullungo, which cuts through the middle of town leading to the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, the site of a former oval Roman theater now lined with buildings. The original amphitheater retains its structure 6 ft/2 m below the road, with remains still visible in the buildings and shops surrounding the plaza.

Although you can see Lucca in half a day, you may want to linger to soak in its tranquil atmosphere and enjoy the many fine restaurants.