Photo credit: www.cntraveler.com
This road-trip route in Tuscany traces a figure-eight pattern through scenic Franciscan monasteries, Etruscan castles, and medieval hamlets. Drive along narrow streets, overlooked by Renaissance statues, stopping by local cafés and wine bars to mingle with the residents—elderly women waving handkerchiefs and men enjoying espressos at Formica tables. Outside Florence, you can hunt for truffles at Tenuta Torciano Winery, dine at tucked-away restaurants accessible by cypress-lined driveways, and explore walled cities surrounded by vineyards and olive groves basking in sunlight.
Where to stay: Opt for the Villa San Michele in the Fiesole hills, once a Franciscan monastery, offering panoramic views of Florence.
Bari to Salento
Approximate time: One-and-a-half hours
The dry region of Salento in Puglia is often compared to Cornwall in the UK, with its olive groves, cliff-diving youth, and simple, hearty cucina povera. Coastal roads span almost the entire heel of Italy, encompassing the dramatic limestone formations and rocky inlets of the east coast, as well as the serene west coast with its white sand beaches, including the beautifully named Punta Prosciutto. At its heart, the Greek-influenced Salento offers an unstructured escape of wild swims beneath limestone cliffs and open roads through the ochre-hued terrain.
Where to stay: In the charming town of Gagliano del Capo, the 19th-century Palazzo Daniele offers sophisticated boutique accommodations.
Naples to Salerno
Approximate time: Four-and-a-half hours
Source
www.cntraveler.com