Pienza (Tuscany)

Ahead of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, Siena’s synagogue announced an ambitious €320,000 restoration effort to undo earthquake damage that destabilized its vault.

Italian canyons are often outshone by coasts and cities, or wrongly dismissed as too tough to reach. But these natural wonders are easier to explore than you’d think, and well worth seeking out.

Layers of history commingle at this colorful five-star flagship from Starhotels Collezione, offering white-glove service in the heart of the Tuscan capital.

This discreet and design-heavy boutique B&B in the thick of Florence’s Oltrarno has ties to the prominent Torrigiani family and unparalleled views over their eponymous garden.