Plan a trip to Tuscany

a pastoral landscape with many romantic, secluded corners, the richest art collection in the world, brilliant architecture, delightful fresh food, fine virgin olive oil, zesty sheep cheeses, and renowned, excellent wines…

Tuscany is in the center of Italy, bordering on the regions of Emilia-Romagna, Umbria, and Lazio. The origin of the name “Tuscany” is from the Etruscans - a people who lived in the entire central part of Italy from the 10th century to the 3rd century BC. Tuscany’s population is about 4 million, and Florence is its capital city.

Covering an area of about 23,000 square kilometers (approximately 8880 square miles), Tuscany’s surface is mostly hilly and mountainous, and 60 percent of the region is covered by forests. In the east, there is a forested coastal lowland that is dotted with small and picturesque coastal towns.

A few hundred years ago, the Renaissance – the movement which revived ideas and achievements of classical antiquity - was born in Tuscany, having a long-lasting influence on European culture. Many prominent, well-known personalities came from Tuscany, including Francesco Petrarca, Dante Alighieri, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei, Machiavelli, Amedeo Modigliani, Gucci, and even Roberto Benigni.

The people of Tuscany are proud of their heritage and their land and uphold them zealously, including preserving and nurturing the appearance of the beautiful landscape. Therefore, you won’t find a single skyscraper in Tuscany. Also, the traditional Tuscan dialect is widely spoken throughout the region – not just by the elders.

Tuscany is divided into several geographic regions and provinces, including:

The Chianti region, famous for its wines and the most popular destination for tourists, occupies the central part of Tuscany between the cities of Florence, Pisa, and Siena. The Arno River, which originates in the northeastern part of Tuscany, flows across the Chianti region, creating a fertile valley which is named for it. The river flows through Florence along its entire length, continues on its way and crosses Pisa, and pours into the Tyrrhenian Sea. Chianti wine, which takes its name from the region, is a best seller and a favorite around the world. The Chianti wine route, the Strada Del Vino in Italian, goes from north to south between Florence and Siena, and is dotted with wineries and vineyards.

The Garfagnana region, located in the northern part of Tuscany, stretches between the Apennine Mountains and the Alps in the west. It is a popular ski destination for the locals, particularly the town of Abetone which has an altitude of 1388 meters (approximately 4554 feet) above sea level. The Serchio River flows through Garfagnana and empties into the Tyrrhenian Sea. An impressive ancient bridge, nicknamed the "Devil's Bridge,” crosses the river.

The Chiana Valley, which stretches along the Chiana River between Sienna and the eastern city of Arezzo, is known for its herds of fine cows called the "Chianinas.” The Chianinas generally end up on the plates of steak lovers in the most prestigious and sought-after restaurants in Tuscany.

The hilly Colli Senesi region is located in Tuscany’s south, below Siena and the Crete Senesi. Though nicknamed the "Tuscan desert" due to its smooth, bare hills, the area is covered in carpets of greenery and vegetation, with fertile valleys, ancient towns, and picturesque villages between the hills. It is common to see herds of sheep grazing on the grass, and their rich milk is used by local farmers and dairies to produce delicious Pecorino cheeses.

The Marmara region, located along the coast in the southwestern part of Tuscany, is mostly covered with woodlands and pine trees called Ombrello due to their umbrella-like shape. The Butteri Maremmani, the Tuscan cowboys, are active in this area. Leading herds of cattle on their horses, they have become local symbols and the stars of Tuscan legends.

Tuscany is full of attractions and interesting places to visit. You can simply stroll among the beautiful hills bathed in the green of olive orchards and grapevines, or wander through magnificent medieval cities, small villages, and ancient walled towns. Visit the churches which are masterpieces by the world's great artists of all periods, the well-known and off-the-beaten-track wineries, and olive presses that are dripping with pure virgin olive oil.

What are the highlights in Tuscany?

Here are a few recommendations:

Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, is the capital of the region and one of the most beautiful cities in the world (some even say the most beautiful!). Most tourists start their visit here, spending a few days seeing the city’s many sites – in fact, it can be argued that Florence is one big museum!

Siena is an ancient, picturesque city with terracotta- colored houses which blend with the red hills on which it was built. Twice a year, on July 2nd and August 16th, Siena hosts the famous Palio Miranda, a competitive bareback horse race and pageant that attracts spectators from all over the world.

San Gimignano is a walled, medieval town with beautiful towers known as the "Manhattan of the Middle Ages."

Pisa is a university town that has become a tourist attraction because of its famous leaning tower. The tower was built in the Middle Ages and is part of an impressive religious complex.

Lucca, the city of the famous composer Puccini, is one of the only cities in Europe that is still surrounded by a complete wall. On the last weekend of every month, there is an antique market in Lucca which has become a popular destination for antique lovers.

Arezzo is a medieval city where most of the film, "The Beautiful Life," by Roberto Benigni was filmed. A large antique market is also held here on the first Sunday of every month.

Greve in Chianti is the capital of the Chianti region, and it is located along the wine route, midway between Florence and Siena. Once a month, the town hosts a market with local agricultural produce under the auspices of the Slow Food organization which is based there.

Montepulciano is a beautiful medieval town where the renowned Vino Nobile wine is produced.

Montalcino is an old wine town where Brunello and some of the other finest Italian wines are produced.

Pienza is a small town with the most Renaissance features in the region. It is known as being the regional center of Pecorino cheese production.

Bagno Vignoni is a small and very picturesque village in southern Tuscany with a pool of steaming spring water in its center.

Monteriggioni is a walled medieval village which overlooks the road to Siena.

Volterra is an impressive town located west of San Gimignano which is known as a center for the handicrafts and carvings of the alabaster that is quarried in the area.

Cortona is an ancient town on the border of the Umbria region overlooking Lake Trasimeno. The popular book, Under the Sky of Tuscany, by author Frances Mayes who lived in Cortona, put the town on the tourist map – and the movie which is based on the book was shot mainly in the center of the town.

Vinci is the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci.

Collodi is the village of the author, Carlo Collodi, who wrote Pinocchio.

Viareggio is a coastal city which is home to the annual giant puppet and float carnival parade - considered to be the most beautiful carnival in Europe.

Carrara is where the marble used by Michelangelo and many other sculptors came from.

Elba Island is the central island in the Tuscan archipelago which consists of 5 islands. The island became well known thanks to Napoleon who was exiled there in 1841 for about a year.

Monte Argentario is a peninsula in the Tyrrhenian Sea, in southwest Tuscany, which contains several fishing villages. The towns of Orbetello and Porto Arcola, in particular, are recommended destinations.

Pitigliano, a town in the south of Tuscany, is located at the top of cliffs with many apertures. It is nicknamed “Little Jerusalem” due to the large Jewish community that lived there for several centuries until their deportation in 1938.

Sovana, one of the most beautiful villages in the region, has only one street – stroll along, take in the sights, and visit the 9th century cathedral.

The Mugello area in northeast Tuscany is home to several villas of the Medici family, the rulers of Florence, and the Aprilia motorcycle race track.