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The first photos of the 1960s-inspired, luxurious railcars have been released—along with details on how to score a coveted spot aboard the La Dolce Vita train in Italy.

The latest on the cultural capitals and emerging destinations of the Bel Paese.

You might not think of Tuscany for island-hopping and horseback-riding, but Italy’s most beloved region has a lot more to offer—plus new hotels to help you enjoy it all.

Discover wine, wellness, and hospitality in Tuscany and the region of Langhe Monferrato Roero.

The best travel makes you feel alive. It sparks curiosity and stimulates the senses, especially when you’re doing what you love. Whatever you’re into—cooking, surfing, music, yoga—travel can connect you with people who share your interests, and with your deepest self. Here are 25 trips to feed your soul.

Where to eat and explore while staying in an 800-year-old village.

An avid traveler describes how local honeys can bring the world into your kitchen.

While wine production has been a part of Montalcino life for centuries, it took the 1888 creation of Brunello di Montalcino—a gorgeous twist on Chianti blends made with 100 percent Sangiovese grapes—to put the medieval town’s name on everyone’s lips. Wine fans will delight in visiting area vineyards and producers, many still small and family-owned, and sampling vintages both at the source and in local bars. If you’re not a drinker, never fear: There’s plenty else in the fairy-tale town that will charm you, including the Piazza del Popolo main square, with its Gothic loggia; the 14th-century Rocca fortress, boasting breathtakingly vast views from its ramparts (a hotspot during sunset); and the Museo del Vetro, a glass museum set inside a former castle that showcases delicate works by the ancient Egyptians on down to modern-day Venetians. Stroll the maze-like cobblestone streets, popping into the small shops and cafés, to get a feel for the place. Better yet, visit during a festival; among the annual celebrations are Montalcino Honey Week in September and the Jazz & Wine Festival each July.

Overview

Wine and textiles, together at last. Set in the main town square, this eclectic shop was founded by Massimo Gorelli, a local who wanted a place to celebrate his two main passions. The space is stocked with items mainly from Italy, including a range of textiles (such as linen, hemp, and natural cotton), wine from both Tuscany and farther afield, and a smattering of honeys, olive oils, and liquors. You’ll also find some housewares and lots of giftable items, both from Italy and abroad—anything that strikes Massimo’s fancy. He and his partner, Claudia, also oversee a nearby shop specializing in high-quality Tuscan-made apparel, from Florentine straw hats to traditional corduroy jackets.

Tuscany comes alive in its towns and villages, where traditions are honored, history is celebrated, and visitors are welcomed like family. Head to hilltop towns like Volterra to wander through medieval piazzas, riverside Lucca to bike along ancient city walls, and towns like Montalcino and Pienza to savor local specialties (wine in the former, cheese in the latter). Visit during a festival for even more flavor.

One of the most charming towns we visited during our May trip to Italy was Pienza, situated in Tuscany between Montepulciano and Montalcino (also worth a visit if you’re in the area). Pienza is best known for its delicious pecorino cheeses, arguably the best of which is its “sotto cenere,” or “under ashes,” variety, produced between October and July and seasoned for up to two months to develop its distinctive flavor. Another reason to visit Pienza is its incredible, prototypically-Tuscan postcard views of the rolling hills, cypress trees and rustic estates in the Val d’Orcia surrounding the town. When visiting Pienza, make sure to bring your appetite - between its rich cheeses, delicious meats and bold wines, Pienza is a culinary treat!

One of the most delicious towns in Tuscany - and most beautiful - is the charming Pienza. Situated between Montepulciano and Montalcino in the scenic Val d’Orcia, centuries-old Pienza is best known for its rich pecorino cheeses. Many feel that the best of Pienza’s pecorinos is its “sotto cenere,” or “under ashes,” variety, produced between October and July and seasoned for up to two months to develop its distinctive flavor. Pienza is filled with great little shops like this one, offering not only the world-famous pecorino cheeses but also rich meats, mild olive oils and bold red wines. For a perfect picnic lunch, grab some salami, cheese, fresh-baked bread and a bottle of wine and head to one of the town’s many scenic vistas overlooking the Val d’Orcia valley below. Not a lunch you’ll soon forget!

For nearly three centuries, workers serving the nobility at Castello Banfi in Tuscany lived in a small hamlet within the castle grounds. In 2007, however, the stone houses within their tiny village were completely renovated under the direction of Italian interior designer Federico Forquet, catapulting Castello Banfi into a new era of grandeur. Today, the property welcomes guests from November through March in two guest rooms and 12 suites, each with wood-beamed ceilings, countryside views, and bathrooms stocked with “vinotherapy” products made from the estate’s Sangiovese Brunello. A central garden with a pergola, a heated outdoor pool, secluded lounging spaces, and alfresco massage tents offer plenty of ways to take in the surrounding vineyards. If you’re feeling more active, take a cooking class with the chef (held a short drive away at the estate farmhouse), tour the Banfi winery, or venture out to nearby historic towns like Montalcino and Siena.