Major Cities:Firenze (Florence)
Siena
Pisa
One of the most visited regions of Italy and a premiere 21st century vacation destination, breathtaking Tuscany has something for everyone, from vibrant cities full of culture and great architecture to bucolic countryside locales with gently rolling hills that produce grapes, olives, potatoes, and other delectable foods. Also known for its fashion industry, the Tuscan region sits between the northern part of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the central Apennine Mountains in the north central portion of Italy. Spreading out over about 9,000 square miles, Tuscany is home to 3.7 million inhabitants and has a varied climate, milder at the coast and a bit rainy in the interior region.
Florence, the capital of the Tuscan region, is the undisputed centerpiece of Tuscany and, without question, one of the most visited cities in Italy. Considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence simply exudes culture and provides visitors with a plethora of various feasts for the senses, from stunning works of art to magnificent music to unforgettable fashions. Situated on the River Amo, Florence has a historic center that is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list, thanks to its beautiful squares, elegant palaces, art galleries and museums, stunning churches, and vast, green parks and gardens. Visitors who wish to tour Florence will find a number of must-sees on their list including the Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore), the spectacular Uffizi Gallery, and numerous other churches, palaces, and villas. Shoppers will want to head to the Via Tornabuoni, where they can shop for Gucci, Ferragamo, Bulgari, Cavalli, and more.
But while the big city attracts many visitors, others who are touring Tuscany prefer to stick to the rural areas of the region. These days, a stay in a villa or on the premises of a vineyard in one of Tuscan’s ten provinces is one of the most popular Italy vacations for travelers from around the world. Here, these visitors can participate in cooking classes, take winery tours and enjoy wine tasting, ride their bikes through Tuscany’s rolling countryside, or simply relax and enjoy the view, which is nothing short of breathtaking.
Just about every Tuscan town is worth a visit, whether you seek culture or solace. One of those is Siena, a World Heritage city that is one of the country’s most visited tourist sites. Richly blessed with interesting medieval history, Siena’s economy remains largely agricultural though the biotechnology industry is growing there. Visitors come to view such sights as the magnificent Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral of Siena and the Piazza del Campo, a vibrant town square lined with architectural gems and the site of The Palio di Siena, a twice-annual traditional medieval horse race.
Of course, no visit to Tuscany would be complete without a stop in the city of Pisa, a town of about 90,000 known worldwide for its much-photographed Leaning Tower, originally the bell tower of the city’s cathedral. Other tourist stops include a number of fine churches, several museums, and many palaces and villas.
Don’t miss some of the other interesting towns along the way, like the port city of Livorno, the hill town of Montepulciano, the walled town of Grosseto, or any number of other tiny treasures.
www.regione.toscana.it
www.turismo.toscana.it
