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Tuscany is often sold on Florence and Pisa, but a walled city I visited in late September stood out for its piazzas, rooftop views and brilliant food. With averages of 15°C in November and 12°C in December — and far fewer crowds — it’s ideal for a winter break.

Nestled in the heart of Italy, Tuscany is celebrated for its gently rolling hills, charming medieval villages, vast vineyards and iconic Renaissance masterpieces. Boasting mouth-watering local food and a relaxed pace of life, the region has something for every holidaymaker seeking the very best of Italian culture.

Tourists can spend their mornings strolling through ancient towns, savour unhurried lunches with vineyard views, and watch the sun dip below the horizon with a glass of locally produced wine in hand. Having visited the region in late September, I find it equally worthwhile to head there in November and December as a winter getaway.

Average temperatures in the city are around 15°C in November and 12°C in December.

Tuscany is made up of 10 provinces, with its capital, Florence, celebrated for its extraordinary Renaissance heritage, iconic artwork and breathtaking architecture.

Other provinces include: Arezzo, Grosseto, Livorno, Massa-Carrara, Pistoia, Prato and Siena.

Florence and Pisa tend to be the first places that spring to mind when Tuscany is mentioned, yet one destination I discovered on my travels left a lasting impression — Lucca.

What is Lucca famous for?

The historic city walls

Among Lucca’s most treasured landmarks is its four-kilometre circuit of Renaissance walls, built between the 16th and 17th centuries. Originally constructed for defensive purposes, the walls today serve as a tree-lined public walkway, giving visitors the opportunity to stroll or cycle while soaking up sweeping views of the ancient city below.

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Piazza dell’Anfiteatro

Piazza dell’Anfiteatro stands as one of Lucca’s most striking landmarks. Constructed on the foundations of an ancient Roman amphitheatre, the oval-shaped piazza is surrounded by vibrant buildings, cafés and eateries, creating an idyllic spot to unwind and absorb the city’s ambience.

I stopped for lunch and took in the delightful views across the square. Prices here are typically a touch steeper, though that’s hardly surprising.

I opted for boar ravioli at €9.60 (£8.07). It might not seem expensive, but the serving was modest, leaving me rather peckish afterwards. Worth remembering when dining in a popular tourist area.

Torre Guinigi

The medieval Torre Guinigi ranks among Lucca’s most peculiar attractions, instantly recognisable for the oak trees flourishing in its rooftop garden. Visitors can ascend to the top for panoramic views over the city’s terracotta rooftops and the surrounding Tuscan countryside.

Lucca Cathedral

The Cathedral of San Martino is celebrated for its ornate Romanesque design, beautifully decorated marble frontage and impressive collection of sacred artworks.

Other significant religious sites include the Basilica of San Frediano, distinguished by its eye-catching mosaic exterior, and the Church of San Michele in Foro, positioned in a historic piazza at the city’s centre. When is the best time to visit Tuscany?

Lucca tends to be far less crowded during the winter months, making it an ideal period to discover its museums, historic churches and traditional eateries.

The city is perfectly suited to those who prefer to explore on foot. We covered the whole place in just half a day without relying on public transport, though a full day or longer is recommended if your schedule allows. That said, visitors should be ready for chillier temperatures and a higher likelihood of rain.

How to get to Lucca?

The most straightforward route from the UK to Lucca is to fly into Pisa, then continue onwards by train, taxi, or hire car.

By car, the trip typically takes around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic.

By train, passengers can hop on a service from Pisa Centrale to Lucca railway station, with the journey usually taking around 25 to 30 minutes. Extra time should be factored in to travel from the airport to Pisa Centrale.

Direct return flights from London to Pisa are priced at around £31 in November and £32 in December (at the time of writing).

TRYING to find somewhere off the beaten track might seem like the impossible, but hop on a boat and you can find some amazing hidden beaches.

The islands were revealed by Sunsail as destinations where you can “go beyond the obvious destinations”.

Mirna Jakšić, Agana Events and Flotilla Manager at Sunsail, said of the list: “The most memorable places aren’t always the ones everyone knows about.”

Here are the best ones to add to your list if you want to travel without the hoards of tourists.

Lastovo, Croatia

Often overlooked by other more popular islands, Lastovo is easily accessed from Split or Hvar.

It was closed to tourists until 1988, as it was used for its army bases at the time.

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There are just 1,000 locals on the island, with the nature park protected with 70 per cent of the island covered in pin trees

It is a great place for stargazing too, due to the lack of light pollution.

Anegada, British Virgin Islands

The volcanic islands of Anegada are overlooked, despite being home to everything from flamingos and rare ‘sea lavender’.

It’s popular with divers, thanks to its underwater tunnels and ship[wraecks to explore.

The only town on the island, The Settlement, has beautiful beach villas and rooms to stay at too.

There are public ferries to the island, or it has a small airport for charter flights.

Kalamos, Greece

Forget Santorini and Mykonos – try Kalamos instead.

The mountains island has just 500 locals, mainly living in Kalamos Town, although there is also the village of Episkopi, and the abandoned Port Leone

But the beaches and waters are the spot to spend your time, with clear blue seas teh star of the show.

You’re best getting there by ferry from the mainland.

Elaphiti Islands (Šipan, Lopud, Koločep), Croatia

There are three main islands of Elaphiti that are inhabited – Šipan, Lopud, Koločep.

Kolocep and Lopud are car-free, making them much more laid-back, and each one is best explored by boat.

Don’t expect many locals either, as they only have 1,000 between them.

You can get there from Dubrovnik by boat.

Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

Another BVI must visit is Jost Van Dyke, named after a Dutch privateer.

Along with the soft Caribbean beaches, there is also the famous Bubbly Pool, which is a natural swimming hole with bubbles that replicate a hot tub.

Make sure to try the Painkiller Cocktail, invented on the island in the 70s and made up of a lot of rum.

The island has no airport so you will need to get a ferry over from Tortola.

Meganisi, Greece

Only accessible by boat, Meganisi has 30km of coastine to explore, along with three villages.

There is Vathy, the seaside town with a beautiful harbour, as well as the h historic Spartochori and Katomeri.

Go diving and you will find submarines to explore dating back to WWII or explore Papanikolis Cave.

You can choose from loads of villas and apartments to stay in too, with lots having private pools.

Mljet, Croatia

Mljet Island is another Croatian alternative, which you can get to from Dubrovnik.

It is one for foodies, known for its wine, olives and goats cheese.

Not only that, but is another super green island, so perfect for hikes and walking trails.

This is an island you can book a Jet2 holiday with, which have flights and stays at Hotel Odisej in the National Park.