"It's a little island in the middle of a river. They have a monastery dated from 1260 and they built a hydroelectric power station there in the 70s that flooded the area. There's an amazing little restaurant called Casa Del Pescatore — have a sandwich there."

Patrick JOHNSON

"If you want something a bit more refined, go to Ristorante Gilda, a beach club in Forte dei Marmi. They do a lobster and champagne risotto that's really well balanced and fantastic."

Patrick JOHNSON

"I would cruise down to Pietrasanta in the evening to watch all the Italians walk through the town at night. There's a great courtyard restaurant called Giacomo that’s focused mainly on fish. It's my favorite."

Patrick JOHNSON

"L’Enoteca Marcucci in Pietrasanta is great for a drink and really good simple food. There are too many good places to eat in Tuscany and not enough meals in the day."

Patrick JOHNSON

"I'd stay in Pietrasanta at the Albergo Pietrasanta, which is a fantastic little mini hotel. They make a beautiful breakfast in the courtyard. The people who own the Albergo Pietrasanta are from Milan and they are big patrons of the arts. So they have their collection revolving through there and it's really interesting."

Patrick JOHNSON

"The quintessential scene in Tuscany I suppose, is the Piazza. Watching people do their early evening walk through town, with a sweater on their shoulders and their dogs preening. It's quite beautiful and quite the spectacle."

Patrick JOHNSON

"My favorite restaurant in Florence is Trattoria Sostanza. The food is incredible. They do this butter chicken thing, which is reasonably rich, but it's phenomenal."

Patrick JOHNSON

"Everything stays open pretty late so walk to the amazing little museum, Museo dei Bozzetti, that has all the molds for the marble sculptures."

Patrick JOHNSON