The Cathedral of Saint Mary of Pisa
Manager of Piaggio, the Italian vehicle manufacturer, Girolamo Felicia is a passionate rider of Guzzi motorcycles. He knows by heart all the roads of Tuscany, a region that he has traveled from north to south by bicycle. He's also a musician (he plays the blues, to be exact) and loves photography. He has participated in the Mille Miglia , the historic Italian collector car race considered by many to be "the most beautiful race in the world".
This interview is part of "The World Made Local" , a global project of Condé Nast Traveler in the seven international editions , which gives voice to 100 people in 100 countries to discover why their own territory should be your next destination.
Think of Pisa, how would you describe it in your own words?
Pisa is a city that oozes history and allows you to appreciate all its beauty: one of the most beautiful squares in the world is here, it is no coincidence that it is called Piazza dei Miracoli (Plaza del Milagro), with the cathedral, the baptistery and the leaning tower. Tuscany is a work of art in itself.
Is there a scent, sound or taste that instantly reminds you of your region?
What hits your senses in Tuscany is the smell of nature, these golden fields of wheat that alternate with green meadows , rows of vineyards , olive trees and houses in the countryside. Many painters and photographers have chosen to live here for a reason: because of places like the cliffs of Volterra and the hills of the Val d'Elsa.
the tower of pisa
If a friend had only 36 hours to visit Tuscany, what would you advise?
I would recommend you visit the Val d'Orcia and the city of Montepulciano . I did this tour recently and also during the race Mille Miglia . The road connects Val d'Orcia with the beautiful town of Bagno Vignoni : There, in an old square, there is a fountain and a spring below. It is probably one of the most beautiful places in Tuscany and, I would say, in the world. The same water feeds four ancient rock-cut mills, dating back to the Middle Ages. The landscape is simply wonderful!
A perfect food tour?
Near Bagno Vignoni is San Quirico d'Orcia , one of the most beautiful landscapes in Tuscany. There, the Osenna Trattoria It is an excellent stop to try the delicious Tuscan cold cuts and the pici – the traditional handmade pasta – and, of course, a good glass of Brunello, in Montalcino , and the famous pecorino cheese of Pienza, which is also one of the most remarkable cities of the Renaissance.
There you have to make a stop La Buca delle Fate , the restaurant where the pici are tastiest. In Florence, one address to dial is the Old Tavern in Piazza Torquato , which is frequently visited by artists from the city. Non-vegetarians will enjoy a memorable bistecca alla fiorentina.
What is your favorite place, to which you would return a thousand times?
Before you get to Wing Tip there is a beach on the territory of Maremma that it's called Cove Violin . It is special because the sand is so fine that they used to say that walking on it produced a sound similar to that of violins. I like to go there to enjoy a calm view of the Gulf and the water, as it is considered one of the cleanest beaches in Italy