Visit Tuscany: Travel Guide to Holidays in Tuscany
Located in central Italy, Tuscany is renowned for its rolling hills, wine regions, picturesque villages, the idyll of olive groves, frescoed churches, architectural masterpieces, magnificent landscapes, vineyards, and exquisite food and wine.
In addition to its natural beauty and internationally acclaimed local cuisine, Tuscany is also home to Italian renaissance art and Roman civilization.
Visiting Tuscany is a guaranteed way to get a taste of authentic Italian culture.
Top Locations to Visit in Tuscany
The Tuscany region has the greatest concentration of cultural and historical monuments among all regions in Italy. The following are some of the top places most tourists visit in Tuscany:
Florence
Florence is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Tuscany region. At one time, Florence was the most active center of the Italian Renaissance, and the city quickly flourished during the Medici dynasty.
Florence represents some of the most renowned artistic figures of the renaissance era, including Leonardo da Vinci, Masaccio, Alberti, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, and Donatello.
Some of the most famous sights you’ll find in Florence include Boboli Gardens, Arno River, Piazza della Repubblica, Duomo, Santa Croce Church, Basilica di San Lorenzo, and Uffizi Gallery.
Pisa
The main cities of Pisa and Lucca are home to many historical sites that showcase Italian history and culture. Some of the tourist attractions in Pisa include the leaning tower of Pisa, Pisa cathedral, the National Museum of San Matteo, Knight’s Square, Piazza dei Miracoli, and Palazzo della Carovana.
Siena
This small town located in Central Tuscany is undoubtedly one of the greatest medieval cities in Italy. Siena is most popular for Piazza del Campo, which is regarded as one of Europe's greatest open spaces.
Siena is still perfectly preserved and houses many excellent works of art in its religious and secular buildings. In fact, once you visit the city, you’ll likely notice that its image has not practically changed over the last half a century.
San Gimignano
San Gimignano is the most popular medieval village in Italy. Like Siena, San Gimignano is perfectly preserved and is home to many historical sites, including Palazzo Pubblico e Torre Grossa, Piazza del Duomo, Porta San Giovanni, Chiesa di San Jacopo, and Mura di San Gimignano.
You’ll also find several museums in San Gimignano, including Museo d’Arte Sacra, Museo Civico, Museo Archeologico, San Gimignano 1300, and Museo Ornitologico.
Cortona
Even though this small town is not as popular as the other aforementioned larger cities, Cortona is also one of the top tourist attractions in the Tuscany region. This hilltop village is where the 2003 film ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ was filmed.
The release of this film has played a major role in the increasing popularity of this region. The film even led to the creation of a festival known as the Tuscan Sun Festival, a lifestyle and music festival that started in 2003.
Val d’Orcia
Whenever most people think about the Tuscany region, they envision the rolling hills, green vineyards, medieval hilltop towns, and green fields. This idealized image is exactly what you’ll see when you visit Val d’Orcia.
This area is home to several medieval towns, including Pienza, San Quirico d’Orcia, Montalcino, Bagno Vignoni, and Monticchiello. The entire region is now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Things to Do in Tuscany
The following are some of the best things to do while on holiday in Tuscany:
Wine tasting
If there is one thing you can never miss while on holiday in Tuscany is the wine, specifically wine made in the Chianti region. The best way to spend your time in the Chianti Classico wine region is by signing up for a wine tasting tour at one of the local wineries.
A few bottles of the high-quality Chianti Classico wine will definitely put a smile on your face! It's worth noting that for wine to be considered a Chianti, it must contain at least 70% Sangiovese grapes. These local wines are usually rich in flavor and are best paired with local cuisine.
Take a cooking or baking class
Italian food is renowned all over the world for its great taste and simplicity. Florence, the capital city of Tuscany, is famous for its Florentine beefsteak and Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
Therefore, while in Tuscany, you may consider taking a cooking or baking class from a Michelin-star chef or one of the locals. Doing this will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the Tuscany culture and food scene.
Climb the leaning tower of Pisa
If it's your first visit to Tuscany, you can always opt to see and climb the leaning tower of Pisa. This tower gets its name because it's leaning at approximately four degrees.
Go truffle hunting
Truffle is one of the most unusual food treasures you’ll find in the Tuscany region. Even though truffles can be found at any time of the year, they’re most common in winter.
Therefore, you can always participate in truffle hunting during your visit to Northern Tuscany. This activity is popular because the expensive fungi cannot be cultivated and must be hunted.
FAQs About Tuscany
When is the best time to visit Tuscany?
You can visit Tuscany at any time of the year. However, the best time to visit Tuscany is before Easter. During this time, the region is quieter, the surrounding countryside is blossoming, and prices are not so high.
What are the most popular foods and drinks in Tuscany?
The most popular foods to try in Tuscany include the Bistecca alla Fiorentina (rare T-bone steak) and Panzanella, a mouthwatering salad consisting of stale bread, vinegar, diced tomatoes, basil, onions and sprinkled with olive oil.
As for the best drinks in Tuscany, you may try Rosso di Montalcino, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, and many others.
Book Your Stay With Us
If you’re planning to spend your holidays in Tuscany, consider booking your stay at Hotel Le Fontanelle & The Club House, located in the heart of the Chianti region. Our great accommodations, facilities, and fine dining restaurants will make your visit even more memorable.