Winter Escapes Surprisingly Close to Florence Tuscany may be famous for vineyards and rolling hills, but winter reveals a lesser-known side of the region: small ski resorts tucked into the Apennines and southern mountains, surprisingly close to Florence  and some of Tuscany’s most important wine areas. No, this isn’t where the Winter Olympics will be hosted — but it is  a wonderful alternative if you’re looking to add a touch of snow to your Tuscan winter vacation. For travelers based in...

Florentines may fall off their chairs when they hear this. But it’s true. The famous “lily” or "fleur-de-lis" of Florence — the one stamped on the city’s coat of arms, flying on flags, printed on football scarves, and baked into desserts — is not a lily at all . It’s an iris . A case of mistaken identity (for centuries) In Tuscany, you’ll often hear the flower called giaggiolo . Sometimes it’s casually referred to as a lily. But botanically, historically, and symbolically, Florence has always...

Italian cuisine holds a special place in the world’s culinary landscape. Its rich flavors, time-honored dishes, and deep connection to local traditions have earned it global admiration. As UNESCO itself states, “cultural heritage consists not only of monuments and collections of objects, but also of living traditions passed down by our ancestors: oral expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festivals, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, and...