Pick one place on earth that you could say it has it all: stunning scenery, pleasant weather, nice food and drink, and I’m sure many would pick Tuscany in Italy. Rightly so in our book. Let’s consider the facts. It’s the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, and a region with some of the most stunning scenery imaginable. Has Florence at its centre and produces some of the finest wines, a bottle of Chianti, anyone? If that’s not enough to convince you, well, I give up!
Stretching from the Apennies to the Tyrrhenian Sea, Tuscany is among Italy’s top regions to visit. With the facts mentioned above, it’s easy to see why. There’s enough beauty and top attractions in Florence alone to enjoy an extended stay, add a visit to the villages and towns of the region and wow, it’s some place. You might even want to move here!
Let’s dive in a little. Look at what you can do, where you can go around Italy’s gem location, Tuscany.
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Art and Culture
The Renaissance movement touches every corner of this region. Be it farmland or cobbled street? And there are no better places to capture it than in Florence (read our best of post for more details) and other stunning towns such as Siena. You just need to walk around the streets and you’ll be breathing it in! Other places to explore are villages such as Pienza and San Gimignano, with their historic spas and architecture. Even just a glance at the villas as you journey around the region is cultural enough!
Food and Wine
You cannot immerse yourself in the Tuscan way without trying the food and drink! The wine, truffles and other culinary delights. What’s not to like about trying some of the finest wines around at places like Brunello di Montalcino or Chianti? The hillsides are awash with vineyards, so touring them, discovering them, well, you are enjoying the surrounding countryside and tasting excellent wine at the same time! Sounds like bliss to me.
The coastal region
This is the region that just keeps on giving! The coastal area is as beautiful as the green pastures. The crystalline waters glisten and the packed together and colourful hillside towns offer their own charms. There’s around 500km of coastline to explore with sandy beaches punctuating the rocky outlets. Activities include whale watching, trekking the paths to surfing and sailing. The Tuscan coastline is as splendid as you could imagine.
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Other spots to explore
Florence isn’t the only city of note in this region. How can we forget Pisa and its leaning tower? It’s worth spending a day here, not just to see the tower but to explore the city. It offers much more than you’d first imagine. Arezzo is another with the stunning San Francesco Basilica. Like many buildings in the region, it’s a stunner in every aspect. Tuscany wants to be properly explored, it’s every corner devoured.
There’s no mistaking the Tuscan region is a very special place indeed. Full of wonders and history, art and fine food and wine. Add in your Italian hospitality and well, everything is bellissimo!
