Pistoia (Tuscany)

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.

The Italian farmstay has moved from niche hotel alternative to near-mainstream mode of lodging. Here’s what you — and your hosts — stand to gain from this form of sustainable tourism.