{"id":41188,"date":"2018-12-06T17:40:12","date_gmt":"2018-12-07T01:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=41188"},"modified":"2021-04-05T20:49:55","modified_gmt":"2021-04-06T03:49:55","slug":"how-to-travel-and-explore-tuscany","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/travel\/how-to-travel-and-explore-tuscany","title":{"rendered":"How to Travel and Explore Tuscany"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"cb-itemprop\" itemprop=\"reviewBody\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tuscany, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, is world famous for its wealth of art and architectural gems, superb red wines and farm-to-table cuisine. It\u2019s one of the most-visited places in Italy for these reasons, but there are also wild areas\u2014from its Mediterranean coast to its hills and mountains\u2014where active travelers can find adventure. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While no trip to Tuscany is complete without a visit to Florence, this guide will cover areas outside that city, away from the crowds. So, if you\u2019re just starting to think about an adventure trip to Tuscany, this guide will cover a sampling of where to go and what to do, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#why-visit\">Why Visit Tuscany?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#top-places\">The Top Places to Visit in Tuscany<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#how-to-plan\">How to Plan Your Trip to Tuscany<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a name=\"why-visit\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why Visit Tuscany?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Tuscany\u2019s capital city of Florence, visitors line up to see Michelangelo\u2019s David, and in quieter Pisa, the Leaning Tower is a perennial favorite. But before (and after) you join the crowds at these iconic destinations, why not explore Tuscany farther afield?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earn your evening\u2019s wine-and-cheese courses by cycling to a vineyard, or biking to a medieval hill town. Go sailing, snorkeling or diving off the coast of a Tuscan island. Walk a forest path, take a pilgrimage or run on an ancient Etruscan road. Then, refresh with espresso or gelato, pick up picnic goodies at a local market and dine in the evenings al fresco at any of the region\u2019s many excellent restaurants.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41212\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41212\" class=\"wp-image-41212 size-article_body\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/12\/tus_13.jpg?resize=1024%2C576\" alt=\"Exploring castle ramparts.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41212\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Travelers explore the ramparts of San Gimignano, a UNESCO World Heritage site.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a name=\"top-places\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>Top Places to Visit in Tuscany<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tuscany is, of course, well known for its art, architecture, food and wine, but the central Italian region is also becoming an unsung hot spot for adventure travel. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some notable areas where the outdoor activities are nearly as rich as the typical Tuscan fare: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Pisa<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>Adventure In and Around Pisa:\u00a0<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With an airport that has connecting international flights from Rome, Pisa is a good entry point for a traveler visiting Tuscany. The city is best known for its iconic Leaning Tower, located in t<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">he <a href=\"https:\/\/whc.unesco.org\/en\/list\/395\">Piazza del Duomo<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (the Cathedral Square), a UNESCO World Heritage site. The cathedral, the baptistery, the campanile (aka the Leaning Tower) and the cemetery are highlights of the city.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you\u2019re ready to get out of town for some outdoorsy adventure, here are a couple of nearby options:<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41208\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41208\" class=\"wp-image-41208 size-article_body\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/12\/ITC_051316_51637.png?resize=1024%2C685\" alt=\"The rural Tuscany countryside.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"685\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41208\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A rural road meanders through the placid Italian countryside.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><b>Paragliding in Monte Pisano<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: One of the most popular paragliding launch pads in Europe is just a 10-minute drive from Pisa, at <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Giuliano <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Terme in the Monte Pisano region. Adventure travelers can go paragliding in the morning when the winds are calm and then see the historic sights of Pisa in the afternoon. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visitors don&#8217;t need experience to go on a scenic paragliding flight. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montepisano.travel\/en\/\">Monte Pisano<\/a><\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tourism board is a great resource for booking paragliding trips with reputable guides.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Canoeing or Kayaking Massaciuccoli Lake<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Massaciuccoli Lake is an ecologically diverse area best explored by water. The reserve encompasses the lake as well as the confluence of the Arno and Serchio rivers, creating an exceptionally large wetland area on the Mediterranean coast that is an important migratory habitat for hundreds of bird species. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just a 30-minute drive from Pisa, the lake and its calm channels are yours to explore while paddling through reeds and marshy areas. Environmental guides are required for canoeing and kayaking tours, and can be booked through the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.parks.it\/parco.migliarino.san.rossore\/Eindex.php\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Massaciuccoli Regional Park<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> office.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Versilia<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>Things to See and Do in <\/b><b>Versilia:\u00a0<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In northern Tuscany, the region of Versilia is renowned for its golden sand beaches and upscale resorts, as well as the dramatic and craggy Apuan Alps. This seaside region offers ample opportunities for relaxation as well as outdoor activity.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41201\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41201\" class=\"wp-image-41201 size-article_body\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/12\/umb_03.jpg?resize=1024%2C576\" alt=\"Poppies dot the side of the Via Francigena.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41201\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Poppies dot the side of the old pilgrimage route, the Via Francigena.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><b>Hiking or Biking the Via Francigena<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.viefrancigene.org\/en\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Via Francigena<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is an ancient pilgrimage route that travels about 1,100 miles from Canterbury, England to Rome in southern Italy. Travelers who want to follow in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims in Tuscany have hundreds of kilometers of well-marked trail to follow over 16 sections. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hikers can overlook Versilia\u2019s coast on dirt trails at the foot of the Apuan Alps. Cyclists can hop on the paved Ciclovia route along the coast. Find route maps and details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.viefrancigene.org\/en\/\">online<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>The Historic Center of San Gimignano:<\/strong> Located just 3 miles from the coastal town of Versilia,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/whc.unesco.org\/en\/list\/550\">San Gimignano<\/a> offers a historic destination and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Historically, San Gimignano was an important point for pilgrims traveling on the Via Francigena during the Middle Ages. A main draw are the remnants of hilltop tower houses built between the 11th and 13th centuries as symbols of wealth. Walk to the top of the city walls for an unobstructed view of the town below, and if it\u2019s a clear day, you may be able to see all the way to the coast. Also, from the cathedral square, wander narrow streets lined with shops, restaurants and galleries that display 14th and 15th century art.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Chianti<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>Things to See and Do in Chianti:\u00a0<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perhaps one of the most famous wine regions in the world, Chianti is also an inviting cycling destination. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bike tours venture through the region, riding past vineyards and castles, stopping in villages for window-shopping, gelato and espresso and climbing to sweeping vistas. (Those who want a little help up the hills have the option to ride hybrid electric bikes.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The small villages of Gaiole, Castellina and Radda each serve as an ideal base camp for cyclists and outdoor adventurers who also want a wine country experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41199\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41199\" class=\"size-article_body wp-image-41199\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/12\/ITC_040417_009.png?resize=1024%2C768\" alt=\"Tuscan cycling at sunset.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41199\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cyclists near their destination as the Tuscan sun sets over the horizon.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><b>Cycling Chianti:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You can book a guided full- or half-day tour, a culinary trip that includes food and wine, or an all-inclusive multiday Tuscany cycling excursion. Not interested in a guided tour? Rent a bike and take yourself on a self-guided ride on one of Tuscany\u2019s classic cycling routes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Brolio Castle and Ricasoli Winery<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The Castello Brolio is the oldest winery in Italy and is still one of the largest producers of Chianti Classico wine today. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Custom bike tour trips often end at the winery, where you can sample wines, explore the castle and admire the views of the region below.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Garfagnana<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>Things to See and Do in Garfagnana: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The mountains and rivers in the Garfagnana region<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in northwest Tuscany make an ideal setting for outdoor adventure. Though not far from Tuscany\u2019s biggest cities\u2014about 75 miles north of Florence and 40 miles north of Pisa\u2014Garfagnana feels remote and is a far cry from the rolling wheat fields and vineyards that most people expect to see in Tuscany.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Visit the Straits of Cocciglia: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The deep canyon of the Straits of Coccigilia is worth a day (or more) of exploration. First, try the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Via Ferrata<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">at Canyon Park, a high ropes course over the Lima River in Bagni di Lucca. The guided course combines climbing, suspension bridges, ropes and a series of zip-lines above a stunning canyon and deep green river. No experience necessary.\u00a0After an adrenaline-pumping hour or two on the high ropes course, you\u2019ll want to get in the canyon and explore the water. Paddle a stand up paddle board and enjoy the calm, clear waters, or take a SUP yoga class in a quiet cove.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Hiking in the Apuan Alps:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Garfagnana is an ideally situated base camp for hiking in the mountains. There are an abundance of trails that are not mapped, but can be accessed from many small villages. The best trekking is in the nearby <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visittuscany.com\/en\/attractions\/the-apuan-alps-park\/\">Apuan Alps Regional Park<\/a>. Rugged limestone mountains and lush forests combine for a dramatic landscape. The Italian Alpine Club has mapped 100 miles of trails of varying distance and difficulty. Hire a guide or set out on your own.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41200\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41200\" class=\"wp-image-41200 size-article_body\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/12\/tus_07.jpg?resize=1024%2C576\" alt=\"Produce at market. \" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41200\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Travelers select colorful produce fresh from the fields.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><b>Canyoning the Rio Selvano: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If there is an activity that combines the best of all adventures in Tuscany it may be canyoning, or torrentism, on the Rio Selvano or Torrente Serra. With a licensed guide, gear up in a wetsuit, harness and helmet, and set off on foot to descend the river. You\u2019ll walk, slide, jump and rappel through waterfalls into the river\u2019s natural pools. (A few of the more nerve-wracking descents have walk-around options.)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><b>Rafting the Lima River: \u00a0<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A highlight of the Garfagnana region are the guided point-to-point river-rafting experiences on the Lima River, which offers both calm meandering flat water and adrenaline-inducing whitewater. <a href=\"http:\/\/aguaraja.com\/en\/\">Aguaraja<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visittuscany.com\/en\/ideas\/rafting-in-tuscany\/\">Tuscany Tourism&#8217;s website<\/a> are great resources for booking your whitewater adventure.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><b>Climbing a Via Ferrata in the Apuan Alps:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Four out of the six via ferrata courses in Tuscany are located in the Apuan Alps. Clip your carabiners on the cable and climb fixed routes. You can rent gear including a harness, helmet and carabiners from the Italian Alpine Club, or hire a guide. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Visiting <\/b><b>Garfagnana: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is the main town in the Garfagnana region. The town is at the confluence \u00a0of the Serchio and Turrite Secca rivers and close to roads that lead to both the Apennine Mountains and the Apuan Alps. You\u2019ll find the best accommodations in the hills at farmhouse (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agriturismo.it\/en\/?gclid=CjwKCAiArK_fBRABEiwA0gOOc3ErDwukoFPMWCN4jW7TZZT2C0nMCUi88cD3pdr019lI95PuIg_kUxoCLEMQAvD_BwE\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">agriturismo<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) stays.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Giglio Island<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>Hiking, Biking and Snorkeling Giglio Island<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Take a ferry from Porto Santo Stefano on the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Argentario Cape, 11 miles across the sea to Giglio Island. The colorful port town on the east is ideal for walking and other activities. \u00a0Go for a hike or mountain bike ride along the coastal trails to one of the historic lighthouses. Grab a snorkel or go diving in the cool, clear waters of the Mediterranean. The official <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.giglioinfo.it\/giglio-island\/isola-del-giglio.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Giglio Island<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tourism board offers updated information on hiking, snorkeling and other active tour guide operators.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u00a0<\/span><br \/><a name=\"how-to-plan\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Plan Your Trip to Tuscany<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As with all travel, some flexibility in your schedule may be beneficial if you like to get off the beaten path, but there is so much to see and do in Tuscany that you\u2019ll want to make a few reservations before you go.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Where to Stay in Tuscany: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is no single main hub for visiting Tuscany, though most visitors fly in and out of Florence or Pisa. It is recommended to pick a few hubs and stay in each place for a few nights to enjoy a range of what the region has to offer. Florence, Pisa, Versilia, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Garfagnana<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and Chianti are highlights.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Getting Around Tuscany: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tuscany is a large region. You can reach most places by using a combination of train and bus service once you\u2019ve arrived in Florence or Pisa. But for the greatest convenience and flexibility, you might want to rent a car. Road rules are similar in Italy to the U.S.\u2014cars drive on the right side of the road.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_41197\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41197\" class=\"wp-image-41197 size-article_body\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/12\/Parrish_100913_0107.png?resize=1024%2C682\" alt=\"Tuscan fare.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-41197\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A banquet of bruschetta, wine and other fare offers a decadent reward after a long day of cycling.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><b>When to Go\/Weather: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The temperatures are cooler and the weather is moderate in the fall and spring months in Tuscany, though you can expect rain and adverse conditions at any time of year. Summer months are typically hot and humid\u2014and more crowded. Prices tend to be lower in the less-crowded fall and spring seasons.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Reservations:<\/strong> Many active and outdoor trips can be booked through local tourism offices or international tour operators. Reservations are recommended for guided experiences in the busy summer months. Last-minute bookings are more likely to be available in the fall and spring; however, availability may still be limited.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most public trails and self-guided activities do not need permits. Maps are recommended.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Tuscany Travel Tips: <\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bottled water is preferred by some travelers and is widely available.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smoking is common in Italy. Be sure to reserve nonsmoking rooms and request nonsmoking tables in restaurants if that is your preference. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though English is widely spoken in much of urban Italy, once you venture into the rural countryside, English is not guaranteed. Learn to speak a little Italian\u2014it will go a long way. Bring a phrasebook and be courteous.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tuscany, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, is world famous for its wealth of art and architectural gems, superb red wines and farm-to-table cuisine. It\u2019s one of the most-visited places in Italy for these reasons, but there are also wild areas\u2014from its Mediterranean coast to its hills and mountains\u2014where active travelers can find adventure. \u00a0 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":41397,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[388],"tags":[1127,707,1550,255,12,1702],"internal-tag":[],"class_list":["post-41188","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel","tag-cycling","tag-hiking","tag-international","tag-italy","tag-travel","tag-tuscany"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/travel\/how-to-travel-and-explore-tuscany","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"How to Travel and Explore Tuscany","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/travel\/how-to-travel-and-explore-tuscany","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/travel\/how-to-travel-and-explore-tuscany"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/12\/Parrish_100913_0177_crop-2-1.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/12\/Parrish_100913_0177_crop-2-1.jpg?fit=2500%2C1358"},"articleSection":"Travel","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Beckindale"}],"creator":["Beckindale"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["cycling","hiking","international","italy","travel","tuscany"],"dateCreated":"2018-12-07T01:40:12Z","datePublished":"2018-12-07T01:40:12Z","dateModified":"2021-04-06T03:49:55Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"How to Travel and Explore Tuscany\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/travel\\\/how-to-travel-and-explore-tuscany\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/travel\\\/how-to-travel-and-explore-tuscany\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2018\\\/12\\\/Parrish_100913_0177_crop-2-1.jpg?resize=150%2C150\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2018\\\/12\\\/Parrish_100913_0177_crop-2-1.jpg?fit=2500%2C1358\"},\"articleSection\":\"Travel\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Beckindale\"}],\"creator\":[\"Beckindale\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Uncommon Path \\u2013 An REI Co-op Publication\",\"logo\":\"\"},\"keywords\":[\"cycling\",\"hiking\",\"international\",\"italy\",\"travel\",\"tuscany\"],\"dateCreated\":\"2018-12-07T01:40:12Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-12-07T01:40:12Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-04-06T03:49:55Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/rei.com\/p.js"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/12\/Parrish_100913_0177_crop-2-1.jpg?fit=2500%2C1358","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41188","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41188"}],"version-history":[{"count":36,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41188\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":168332,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41188\/revisions\/168332"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41397"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41188"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41188"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41188"},{"taxonomy":"internal-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-tag?post=41188"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}