Our morning began along the shores of Lake Maggiore, where we paused in the charming town of Cannobio—a picturesque lakeside village near the Swiss border. We wandered along the lakefront promenade, taking in the mountains that frame the lake like a watercolor painting.

From Cannobio, we continued to Verbania, the largest town on Lake Maggiore’s western shore. Known for its refined 19th-century villas and the botanical gardens of Villa Taranto, Verbania once drew aristocrats and artists alike during the Belle Époque. Though our visit was brief, the elegance of the lakeside and the subtle mix of Italian and Swiss-German influences left a lasting impression.

The road south to Tuscany unfolded like a cinematic journey through the spine of Italy—past rolling hills, sunflower fields, and hilltop villages. As we transitioned from the lake region to the Tuscan countryside, the architecture, colors, and even the air changed—warmer, golden, and filled with the scent of cypress trees and wild herbs.

Our destination: Villa Emma i Lecci, nestled in the countryside near Quiesa, just a short distance from Lucca and the Tuscan coast. The villa itself is a testament to the region’s rustic charm, surrounded by olive groves and terracotta rooftops, with views that stretch toward the Apennines.

This region of Tuscany has ties to U.S. history, particularly during World War II. American troops pushed through central Italy as part of the Italian Campaign, liberating towns and forging bonds that still echo today in memorials and local memory. The nearby Gothic Line, a German defensive line that stretched across the Apennines, was breached by Allied forces—many of whom passed through the very hills and valleys we now admire.

We ended the day with a quiet dinner at the villa, enjoying local wine, fresh bread, and simple Tuscan dishes that celebrated the land itself. After a long drive, it felt good to slow down and savor the beginning of our time in one of Italy’s most storied and soulful regions.