Tuscany, Italy Area Information
Capturing the hearts of many throughout the ages, Tuscany remains as timeless and as captivating as ever. The wealth of history, art, culture and beauty it has to offer is astonishing, an open invitation to visit time and time again.
To many minds, the region encapsulates all that is Italy: beautiful landscapes of green hillsides dotted with olive groves and vineyards, framed by lines of tall cypress trees; stunning medieval hilltop villages unchanged for centuries yet lively with present day activity; people who are both friendly and animated, their zest for life fuelled by food and wine of the very highest quality.
Whilst the art and architecture of such cities as Siena, Pisa, Florence and Lucca are legendary, a myriad of towns and villages of lesser renown can reveal equivalent splendours, tucked away in winding alleyways or
sunny piazzas.
Explore the famous cities on foot to really appreciate the atmosphere and marvel at the extraordinary tower in Pisa, the sheer abundance of art in the Uffizi in Florence and its chic, individual shops, and the architecture of Siena with its candy striped cathedral and spectacular piazza.
North west Tuscany is relatively unknown but with easy access to the sea, glorious countryside and unspoilt stone hamlets, it is an area worth discovering. Renaissance Lucca acts as its gateway; unique to the town are the walls that encircle the city, on which you can cycle or walk.
Head north and discover Barga and Bagni di Lucca, once home to European literati. Further on lies the national park of the Garfagnana, a paradise for nature lovers. Cross the Apuane mountains and the Mediterranean sea comes into view.
The bustling seaside resorts of Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi, and Lido di Camaiore give you the chance to enjoy the beach Tuscan style.
The area between Florence and Siena needs no introduction. Chianti, with its famous vineyards and picture postcard scenery, remains a true delight to explore and never disappoints, with San Gimignano and its medieval towers a highlight of any visit. However, do not forget to stray from the Chianti trail and discover the towns and villages to the east and west. Volterra, an imposing fortified town, dates back to Etruscan times. Arezzo, to the east, boasts a splendid piazza, and holds a renowned antiques market every month.
Two smaller, but no less enchanting, towns are Castiglion Fiorentino and Cortona, where you can happily stroll through the narrow streets at your leisure, shopping in the small boutiques and specialist shops, or stopping to sip a cappuccino in a café on the side of the piazza.
Travelling into southern Tuscany, the tree clad hills of Chianti turn into the slopes of the Crete Senesi. Bare ridges are topped with a single line of cypress trees or a Romanesque chapel, vast expanses of rolling hills that stretch into the distance, a scene so often depicted on postcards.
Stumble across living masterpieces of the Renaissance in the form of picturesque towns: Pienza, a picture perfect example; Montepulciano and Montalcino, famous for their excellent reds; San Quirico d'Orcia, a fortified town on the Via Cassia (the Roman road); and San Casciano dei Bagni, an ancient spa.
Local Cuisine
Food and wine play an important role in Tuscan life. Even the smallest of villages will generally have a restaurant serving simple but excellent dishes. Try crostini to start (small pieces of toast with liver, olive or tomato paste), followed by 'pici' (thick pasta from Siena), and then a 'bistecca alla Fiorentina' (a huge T-bone steak grilled with a little olive oil and herbs), wild boar or hare. End the meal with some pecorino cheese from Pienza, drizzled with a little honey, or cantucci (small almond biscuits) served with vin santo, a dessert wine.
From Chianti Classico to Montepulciano di Abruzzo to Brunello, the choice of red wines is staggering in this region and with plenty of vineyards offering the chance to sample the product, you will no doubt come across some little known gems.
Festivities
Throughout the year, Tuscany abounds with festivals that range from a village event celebrating the local wine to concerts in Lucca featuring world famous popstars. Medieval pageants such as the Giostra del Saracino in Arezzo, or the Palio in Siena, add an historical interest. Music, fireworks, food and, of course, wine, play an important part in every event.
Climate
Tuscany enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers where temperatures often exceed 30 degrees Celcius. During spring and autumn, the days are generally warm with the evenings slightly cooler, making them pleasant times of the year to enjoy sightseeing in the region.
Getting there
The principal airport in Tuscany is
Pisa, served by scheduled and 'no frills' flights from many UK
airports. The smaller airport in
Florence is served by Meridiana from Gatwick whilst BA fly to Bologna,
1 hour north of Florence. For our
properties in southern Tuscany, Rome
is also an option with both airports,
Fiumicino and Ciampino, offering a
variety of daily flights from the UK.