WHY COME TO TUSCANY?
10 Good Reasons to visit Tuscany
If you are planning to visit Tuscany and you don't even know where to begin, I wish to help you giving you some suggestions. You should visit Tuscany at least once in your life. It is an enchanting Region with almosthalf of Italy's artistic heritage and landscapes.1 And thanks to a mild weather it is possible to visit Tuscany all year round.
Good reasons to visit Tuscany
1. Centennial History
We have to go back to Paleolithic to find the first inhabitants. Later, the Etruscan created the first major civilization in the south of Tuscany while the Ligurian lived in the North before Roman conquered the entire region.
Tuscany has an immense historical, cultural and artistic heritage. It is expressed in its hamlets, churches, cathedrals and domes, castles, fortification walls, old ruins and legends.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL AREA OF MASSACIUCCOLI ROMANA IN VERSILIA.
2. Artistic Legacy
Tuscany is recognized as the birthplace of the Renaissance.
It is the hometown of many artists of the history of art and science: painters as Giotto and Botticelli, sculptors as Brunelleschi and Michelangelo, musician as Puccini, writers as Dante Alighieri, the "father of modern physics" Galileo Galilei and the polymath Genius of Leonardo da Vinci.
You can admire their Masterpiece walking along the streets or visiting churches, art galleries and museums.
MICHELANGELO'S DAVID IN FLORENCE - PHOTO CREDITS: ROBERT SCARTH
3. Historical Cities
Everyone has heard about Florence, Siena, Lucca and Pisa and their magnificent monuments, streets, squares, towers and bridges.
The historic centre of Florence and Siena, Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa, Medici Villas and Gardens have been designated UNESCO World Heritage sites.
PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA IN FLORENCE.
4. Ancient hill-top Hamlets
The two World heritage sites of Pienza and San Gimignano, Montalcino, Volterra, Cortona are the most known of the region.
Moreover trust me when I say that Tuscany is plenty of charming villages set on the top of a hill or on the side of a mountain, that worth to be discovered.
VIEW OF VOLTERRA.
5. Breathtaking Landscapes
Tuscany is a variety of landscapes, each one with its beauty to admire. Everyone knows the gentle rolling hills of Val d'Orcia or the Chianti wine region.
Moreover there are the Apennines where you can ski (have a look at this post about the ski area of Tuscany), the gentle hills around Pisa, the coastal area of the Etruscan Coast and Bolgheri with its Super Tuscan wine.
In the northern part of the region, the Apuan Alps are still a pure paradise of nature where you find the unique marble quarries of Carrara, the beautiful unknown regions of Lunigiana and Garfagnana.
Tuscany is a paradise for people who love nature. They will find many natural parks and itineraries for walking, biking and hiking.
THE HAMLET OF ISOLA SANTA IN GARFAGNANA DURING WINTERTIME.
6. Shiny bright blue Sea and the Mediterranean Islands
Tuscany is also the Mediterranean Sea. You will find clear water, sea cliffs and white sandy beaches, from Versilia to the Costa degli Etruschi and Maremma. The amazing lagoon of the Argentario in the south and the islands will surprise you.
A legend says that 7 precious stones fell from Venus Tiara. These are the 7 islands of the Tuscan Archipelagothat includes the most known Elba and Giglio.
THE GIGLIO ISLAND IN THE TUSCAN ARCHIPELAGO.
7. Delicious food and cooking traditions date back thousands of years
The specificity of the Tuscan cuisine is to be simple as its ingredients, mixed with skills by our Grandmothers to create unique dishes.
The Bread, made in many different ways and shapes, and the Extra Virgin Olive Oil, are the essential ingredients that you will find in every kitchen.
Some of traditional dishes are: cereal Soups as the spelt soup of Garfagnana, Tordelli, Tagliatelle with wild boar or hare meat ragout, Ribollita, Pappa al Pomodoro, Sgabei, Cacciucco alla Livornese, Bistecca alla Fiorentina, Testaroli of Lunigiana and Castagnaccio, Schiaccia Campigliese or the rice pie as dessert.
A TYPICAL DISH OF TUSCAN COLD CUTS.
8. World-renowned Wines
It is always time for a glass of good wine.
Tuscany has the perfect climate conditions to produce excellent wines renowned all over the world: Chianti Classico red wine, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Bolgheri Reds, Sassicaia DOC, the Super Tuscan Ornellaia and much more.
Do not lose the opportunity to taste them and visit their vineyards or take part to the harvest in September.
THE FAMOUS SUPER TUSCAN SASSICAIA RED WINE FROM BOLGHERI AREA.
9. Thermal Hot Springs
If you wish to rest your body and mind, come to Tuscany. You can choose between beautiful natural hot springs immersed into the wild or elegant SPA centers surrounded by magnificent scenery.
THE WILD HOT SPRINGS OF SATURNIA IN MAREMMA.
10. Off-the-beaten paths
that are waiting to be discovered with us....
THE OLD MILL OF BIBBONA IN THE ETRUSCAN COAST.
Are you ready to visit Tuscany or you still have any doubts? Follow our blog and our social network, subscribe to our newsletter and feel free to contact us to have tips and suggestions about itineraries around our region.