Val d’Orcia conjures up everything you picture when you think of Tuscany—rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, and quiet hill towns. It’s a protected UNESCO site, partly because of the landscape, partly because of how little it’s changed over the centuries. Pienza is the standout—it was designed as the 'ideal city' during the Renaissance and still feels unusually well put together. The Abbey of Sant’Antimo is a peaceful stop, tucked into the countryside. And if you're into wine, this is Brunello country—some of the best reds in Italy. Even just driving through is half the experience.

Tucked into the hillside just outside Cortona, Le Celle is a small Franciscan hermitage dating back to the 13th century. It’s peaceful, simple, and still run by monks today. Saint Francis stayed here briefly, and you can actually see his old cell. The hermitage is a sight in itself, but also benefits from beautiful surroundings.

Hard to miss and easy to linger in, this L-shaped square is basically an open-air museum. Grab a seat at a café (yes, it’s pricey, but the people-watching is worth every euro), and you’ve got front-row views of Palazzo Vecchio, the Fountain of Neptune, and the statue of Cosimo I on horseback. Just off to the side is the Loggia dei Lanzi, packed with Renaissance sculptures—all free to see, no ticket needed. Early mornings or late evenings are quieter if you want to take it all in without the daytime crowds.

Beamish Museum, a pioneer of living museums, invites visitors to touch objects, embodying the practice of interactive exhibits. It showcases everyday life in North East England during the peak of industrialisation in the early 1900s. Explore a recreated town with shops, houses, a pub, offices, and a sweets factory, all brought to life by costumed staff and set amidst countryside influenced by the industrial revolution from 1825.