Vacation In Tuscany Italy
Vacation in Tuscany Italy, 2016 – 2017. Experience the real Italy with a private guide, walk the cobbled streets of medieval Italian villages with an authentic local, eat and shop where the locals do in beautiful walled Medieval hilltop towns.
The green valleys and rolling hills of Tuscany are among the most beautiful in Italy. It also has an amazing history, and many fun and exciting things to do. If you’re thinking about going on vacation in Tuscany then you’ve come to the right place, as this article will give you plenty of information about where to go, what to see and do, when to visit and much more.
Tuscany it is the birthplace of the Renaissance, a land of art, poetry and fine cuisine. The first stop on your Tuscany vacation is Siena, nestled in a valley beneath the surrounding Tuscan hills and some 40 miles from Florence. This medieval city has many tall and imposing buildings along its major street, including Palazzo Salimbeni (where you can visit an art gallery) and the large Arena, where jousts used to take place.
Touring the charming country of Italy on vacation is a must for everyone. On your next trip, tour the beautiful countryside of Tuscany. It’s known for its rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards that create the perfect wine-tasting experience. You can get to Tuscany from Rome by car. The drive is about 4 hours. As you head down Via Aurelia, you’ll want to take a detour along the Strada delle Ville Nostre.
Tuscany, with its spectacular cities, towns, and scenery, is one of Italy’s top vacation destinations. Tuscany’s many attractions include historic cities, art-filled museums and churches, great wine and food, medieval hill towns, beaches, and beautiful countryside.
Vacation In Tuscany Italy
Each part of the Tuscany region has its own unique personality. And while it’s hard to narrow down a best-of list in an area of travel superlatives, the following are TripSavvy’s top 10 places to visit for medieval and Renaissance architecture, gorgeous scenery, and of course, the food and wine.
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Florence
Florence, in the heart of Tuscany, is one of Italy’s top cities to visit. Florence is an important Renaissance architecture and art center with several excellent museums. Florence’s cathedral, or Duomo, with its famous dome and its Baptistery, are architectural wonders that are not to be missed.
Many visitors use Florence as their base for winery tours or day trips to other towns in the region. Visit the Museo Galileo or the Palazzo Strozzi to get a feel for the history and culture of the area.
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Siena
Siena is a classic medieval hill town in Tuscany famous for its sizeable fan-shaped piazza, the Piazza del Campo, dominated by its bell tower, the Torre del Mangia.
Siena’s annual summer horse race, Il Palio, is about as different from the Kentucky Derby as one can imagine: Bareback riders race the horses along the city’s cobblestone streets, keeping with medieval tradition.
Siena’s medieval streets are lined with shops and rustic trattoria serving traditional Tuscan cuisine off the main piazza. Find a cozy spot, preferably one filled with Italians, and sample local fare paired with a nice bottle of regional wine.
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Pisa
Pisa, in northern Tuscany, is famous for its leaning tower, which all visitors must climb and take an excellent touristy photo with. You’ll be in the Piazza Dei Miracoli, where you can admire the cathedral and the baptistery, which date back to the Italian Renaissance.
Besides its tower, Pisa has much more to do and see. To visit its historic Piazza Dei Cavalieri, take a stroll along the Arno River. And before you leave Pisa, try the local delicacy, a chickpea flour bread called cecina.
If you visit Pisa in June, you’re in for a treat. That’s when the city holds a festival to honor its patron saint San Ranieri during its annual Giugno Pisano.
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Lucca
Lucca is famous for its Renaissance-era wall, which encircles the city, and its cobblestone streets. Walking and bicycling paths and gardens sit atop the wall, allowing visitors to walk entirely around Lucca’s historic center.
In addition to being home to several historic cathedrals, Lucca has several well-preserved towers that provide fabulous views of the city and beyond.
Be sure to check out the home of the famous opera composer Giacomo Puccini, which is a popular museum in Lucca. And for authentic regional dishes like tortelli lucchese or zuppa di farro all lucchese, visit one of Lucca’s excellent restaurants, such as Buralli or La Buca di Sant’Antonio.
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Cortona
Cortona is the Tuscan hill town made famous by Francis Mayes in her book “Under the Tuscan Sun.” Surrounded by 3,000-year-old Etruscan walls, Cortona retains much of its history through its layers of architecture.
Cortona’s stately buildings include the Abbazia Farneta and the Chiesa San Francesco. This area has a large American expatriate community, so tourists from the States will find plenty of English speakers.
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San Gimignano
San Gimignano, known as the City of Beautiful Towers, is a classic medieval walled hill town famous for its 14 surviving medieval towers. These create a distinctive skyline visible from the surrounding countryside.
Be sure to visit the Museo Estrusco and the historic Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta. For local flavor, try one of the many cinghiale (wild boar) dishes at Cum Quibus or Ristorante San Martino.
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Chianti Classico Wine Region
The Chianti Classico wine region lies between the larger cities of Florence and Siena and is a fascinating area to visit. The Chianti region has picturesque villages like Greve and, of course, many fine wineries. Start your wine tasting at Barone Ricasoli Winery and Brolio Castle
