Take a stroll down Pietrasanta’s main street, Via Giuseppe
Mazzini, and visit La Misericordia. The tiny chapel is adorned with
two famous paintings, Colombian painter Fernando Botero’s Heaven
and Hell frescoes. The murals are typical of the 20th-century
artist’s work, featuring large, rotund figures presented in a
storybook environment. Once you’ve marvelled at his voluminous
cherubim and red-hot hellfire, seek out his Warrior sculpture, just
around the corner.

Hop in the car and set the satnav for Lucca. The 40-minute drive
will be worth it for all of the Renaissance art, enotecas (wine
bars) and grand old churches you’ll discover packed tightly into
the stony confines of this medieval walled city. We suggest
saddling up and skirting the city’s crumbling walls by bike for an
on-the-ground introduction to its storied streets.

On Wednesday and Sunday mornings, the most fabulous flea market
unravels slap bang in the centre of Forte dei Marmi, just a
30-minute bike ride from Pietrasanta. After you’ve picked up as
many supple leather goods and as much boho beachwear as your
suitcase will allow, order a cappuccino and a fresh spremuta
d’arancia (freshly squeezed orange juice) at the nearby Caffè
Principe.

Drive out to Carrara for a peek at a centuries-old marble quarry
that some say provided the raw material for Michelangelo’s David.
Whether that’s true or not, this Medici-opened marvel certainly
looks impressive – especially when viewed from one of the open-top jeeps that take visitors up the cliff
face for a small fee.