FaunaHidden Tuscany
Fireflies in Tuscany: Where and When
Fireflies in Tuscany light up the countryside for a few weeks each summer. Here is where to see them, when to go, and how to …
The Journal
Journal
Field notes from the Tuscan Apennines: trails, mushrooms, birds, light, and the slow craft of reading a landscape.
FaunaHiking
Scorpions in Italy: How Bad Is the Sting, Really?
Are there scorpions in Italy and are they dangerous? A Tuscan guide to Euscorpius italicus, the yellow-tailed scorpion, and why …
Hiking
Way of St Francis in Italy: A Walker's Guide
The Way of St Francis in Italy begins in Tuscany, at Florence, Camaldoli and La Verna. A local guide on the route and the best day …
Hiking
Via Francigena in Tuscany: A Walker's Guide
The Via Francigena in Tuscany runs through Lucca, San Gimignano and Siena. A local guide on the best stretches to walk and how to …
FaunaHiking
Poisonous Spiders in Italy: Only Two Actually Matter
Are there poisonous spiders in Italy? Only two matter, and bites are rare. A Tuscan guide to the violin spider, black widow, and …
Hidden Tuscany
Off the Beaten Path Florence: Beyond the Duomo
Looking for off the beaten path Florence? Skip the usual café-and-garden lists. The real one is the wild hills where the tour …
FaunaHiking
Snakes in Tuscany: Vipers and Hiker Safety
Snakes in Tuscany are mostly harmless. Only the asp viper is venomous. A local guide explains how to tell them apart and hike …
Hiking
Private Hiking Guide in Lucca, Tuscany
A private hiking guide in Lucca, Tuscany: private guided walks in Italian and English, at your own unhurried pace.
HikingHidden Tuscany
Marble Quarry Hike in Tuscany's Apuan Alps
A guided marble quarry hike in the Apuan Alps of Tuscany, on the Marmifera del Corchia road past the famous Carrara marble peaks.
Hiking
Hiking in the Apennines: A Tuscan Day Out
A full day hiking in the Apennines on the Tuscan side: trailhead, ridge, and lunch at a refuge beside a high mountain lake.
Hiking
Dog-Friendly Hiking in Tuscany: A Guide
Dog-friendly hiking in Tuscany on a private guided day, where your dog is welcome on leash and routes are chosen to suit it.
FaunaHiking
Dangerous Animals in Tuscany: A Hiker's Guide
Worried about dangerous animals in Tuscany? The honest answer surprises most hikers: a sheepdog poses more risk than any wild …
Hiking
Hiking With a Fear of Heights in Tuscany
Hiking with a fear of heights? A Tuscan guide to broad, sheltered Apennine trails that give you the mountains without the scary …
Hiking
Hiking in Bologna: The High Apennine Ridge
Hiking in Bologna means one real mountain day: the Apennine ridge at Lago Scaffaiolo, 1,775 m, reached from the Emilia side with a …
Hiking
Tuscany in Summer: Where to Hike in the Heat
Tuscany in summer: Florence hit 35°C on 47 days in 2026, while the Apennine lakes stayed over 10°C cooler every day. Here's where …