Not to be confused with the casino-filled, Grace Kelly-approved VIP destination in Monaco, Tuscany’s own Montecarlo is far more tranquil—more rustic than ritzy. Nonetheless, Montecarlo has noble roots, and we need look no further than its name for evidence: it was the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV who founded the town after freeing Lucca from occupation by Pisa, hence the name Monte-Carlo (Mons Charoli), which translates to “Charles’ mountain”.
