Tuscany is considered one of Italy’s most beautiful regions. Located in the country’s central region, Tuscany is divided into ten provinces: Florence, Grosseto, Livorno, Lucca, Massa, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato, Siena and Arezzo. The region has an estimated population of 3.7 million. It is known and appreciated for its magnificent vineyards, its culture and its enormous historical impact in medieval Europe.
Tuscany (and Florence in particular) is considered the cradle of the Renaissance, and during this period the country flourished and gave birth to some of the world’s most influential and legendary scholars, artists and visionaries, including Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.
Places not to be missed: Pisa and medieval Lucca
The Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Cecina!
Second only to Florence in terms of Renaissance importance, Pisa is a stunning city with much to offer on the east coast of Tuscany. Pisa is known the world over for its iconic leaning tower – this campanile is actually part of a larger complex that includes the Duomo di Pisa, the Baptistery and the Monumental Cemetery. Each structure is a source of inspiration in its own right; the campanile is just the icing on the cake.
Pisa also boasts several interesting museums, a fantastic botanical garden and spectacular scenery along the Arno. You may come for the Leaning Tower, but you’ll leave having seen much more. And don’t forget to lose yourself in the narrow streets of the city center, where you’re likely to come across this mythical place that prepares and serves the famous “cecina”, a hot chickpea pancake that’s absolutely delicious! Ceci” is Italian for chickpea.
Lucca, a destination within walking distance
Sandwiched between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the marble frontispieces of Pisa, Lucca clings like a paw to the lowlands of the Serchio river basin. It is entirely accessible on foot and surrounded on all sides by the best-preserved Renaissance walls in Tuscany, which over the centuries have been overgrown by the region’s ubiquitous cypress and eucalyptus trees. In the heart of the city, the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro dominates, with its ochre-painted stuccoes and sun-drenched open-air spaces, while the nearby Lucca Cathedral never fails to inspire admiration.
Visiting Tuscany: destination San Gimignano and Volterra
San Gimignano and its ancient towers
Forget Rome’s seven hills, San Gimignano’s 15 towers are just as breathtaking. Less than an hour’s drive from Siena, this commune was first built by the ancient Etruscans, who came to dress the hills in slate and stone cottages. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Church took over, endowing the town with the glorious 12th-century basilica of Sant’Agostino and the collegiate church of Santa Maria Assunta. This development was accompanied by a constant flow of pilgrims and poets who praised the beauty of San Gimignano and its majestic surroundings, made up of swaying cypress trees and fields colored yellow in spring.
Volterra, a town on the crests of the high plateau
Clinging to the ridges of western Tuscany, the town of Volterra covers the ancient Etruscan homeland with a patchwork of medieval stonework. Built and razed by Romans, Tuscan grand dukes and the formidable Medici family, the historic town is home to ubiquitous basilicas, cobbled streets, ancient portals and red-tiled roofs emblematic of Tuscany, while its sporadic piazzas bubble with the melodious tones of Italian conversation.
Discover Tuscany in Arezzo, authentic Italy
Arezzo is one of Tuscany’s most central cities. It lies midway between the Mediterranean and Adriatic coasts. The town is set on a hill, and the upper part contains the historic old town, while the lower part is more modern.
The old town is the main area of interest, with beautiful buildings such as the Fortezza Medicea, the Duomo San Donato and the Teatro Petrarca.
If you’re interested in museums and history, Arezzo also boasts several top-quality establishments, including the Museo Archeologico Mecenate and the Museum of Medieval and Modern Art. Arezzo also boasts a number of beautiful parks and natural sites for those who enjoy outdoor activities.
Capital of the region: Florence, the city of the Medici, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
One of Italy’s most popular cities, Florence is the place to be! Florence is one of the most important architectural and artistic centers of the Renaissance. Its museums, palaces and churches are home to some of the world’s greatest artistic treasures. If you only have time for one museum, visit the Accademia Gallery, home to works by Michelangelo, including the imposing marble statue of David, over 3 meters high.
If you want to enjoy one of the city’s most enchanting views, climb the hill to the church of San Miniato al Monte. Florence is also a shopper’s paradise, offering everything from bargains to high-end products in one intense shopping experience. Don’t forget to stop for a coffee on the terrace or a gelato!
Vacations in Tuscany: visit the vineyards of the Chianti region
The Chianti region, which has inspired artists, poets and travelers for centuries, offers one of the most diverse and picturesque landscapes in Tuscany, with scenery as varied as its legendary wines. Discover gentle hills covered with endless rows of porcini vines, low forests and charming hamlets, as well as stone farmhouses and luxurious villas offering unforgettable accommodation. Staying in one of these villas is an extraordinary experience!
The main attraction of this region is, of course, wine, and many vineyards have dedicated tasting areas. They offer the chance to visit wine cellars and witness the production of the famous Chianti Classico. But Chianti isn’t just about wine, it’s also about Etruscan tombs, the many fortresses built to protect the borders between Florence and Siena, and tasting delicious foods such as cheeses, honey, delicious local dishes and the prized meats of Falorni and Macelleria Cecchini.
The famous marble quarries
The ancient Romans already appreciated the rich deposits of translucent white marble streaked with grey in the Apuan Alps. Documents dating from the second century B.C. record the extraction of Carrara marble for the construction of the Roman forum. In ancient times, stonemasons dug fissures in the earth, then inserted damp wood which, as it expanded, caused the marble to break away into large pieces. Their method of lowering the marble chunks down the mountain was to use a sledge-like contraption on a wooden track. This unexpected object was used right up to the twentieth century!
Carrara’s main attraction is a visit to one of the marble quarries. Although the old systems of pulleys, ramps and sledges have been replaced by modern extraction equipment, you can still enjoy the age-old tradition of extracting chunks of white marble from the mountainsides.
