Tuscany

There are so many reasons to visit Tuscany. The stunning views over the mountain ranges,the panoramic coastline, breathtaking forests & lakes, architectural masterpieces, fine art and excellent cuisine, where do you start. From the famous towns of Pisa, Florence and Siena to the rustic vineyards of the well renowned Chianti region, Tuscany is everything you expected and more.

Enjoy the wonderful contrasts as you travel through this region. The main cities are extremely cosmopolitan offering excellent shopping, designer labels, hand made jewellery, galleries and museums yet you can still sense of Italy’s culture and traditions. The charming villages, many of them on the coast with pretty harbours and golden sandy beaches give you the true sense of Italy.

Tuscany Travel Highlights

Florence

Florence, the capital city of Tuscany is built on the banks of the river Arno. Well documented as the home place of the Italian Renaissance, the city is a marvel for every taste. Here you will find classical artwork on show from the masters Michelangelo, Botticelli, Rubens, Titan and Raffaello. Shopping in Florence is a dream with several malls offering boutiques, designer fashion houses, jewellery, artisans’ workshops and wonderful markets filled with traditional crafts. For those on a budget, Florence also has a wide selection of designer outlets and wonderful street markets

Pisa

The world famous Leaning Tower of Pisa was built in 1173. A freestanding bell tower of architectural genius, due to poor foundations the tower started to lean southwards soon after it was erected. Though visitors can no longer climb the 300 steps to the viewing balcony, the tower is an impressive monument standing 186ft above ground level. Pisa also offers many other attractions and has a wonderful mix of old and new. Choose from the many theatres, museums and cultural centres to modern shopping areas and art galleries. Check out The Borgo Stretto, an expensive boulevard for designer shopping, fine restaurants and excellent sidewalk cafes.

Tuscan Cuisine

The cuisine is fresh, using only the best of their finest home grown produce. Unlike other Italian regions, Tuscan food is not so spicy, bringing out the natural flavours of their dishes. Firm favourites for Tuscan chefs are risotto based dishes, fresh seafood, grilled meats, pastas filled with delicious mixtures of meats, fish and spices. Due to its many vineyards, varied selections of local wines compliment every meal.

The Vineyards of Chianti

The world renowned Chianti Classico wine making region of Tuscany is only 45 minutes drive from Florence. Take a tour through one of the many vineyards offering wine tasting and a guided tour of the wine making process. Noted for its rich shades of ruby red and fruity bouquet, a glass of Chianti is an excellent accompaniment for any meal. The area of Chianti is also a popular holiday destination. With its rolling countryside, distinctive farmhouses with their red tile roofs, rustic local cuisine and the smell of cypress trees and almond groves in the air, this is a wonderful base for holidaying in the Tuscany region.

Out and About in Tuscany

The wonderful mix of coastal and inland resorts in Tuscany offers visitors a vast range of leisure and sporting activities. Widely available are cycle and walking trails, horse riding and rock climbing through the valleys and mountains with stunning views. There are many national parks, castles, adventure playgrounds and lakes offering plenty for a relaxing day out. For the water sports enthusiasts, water skiing, paragliding, sailing, diving and fishing are offered in most of the costal villages and resorts. Pleasure cruises and guided boat trips go from many of the resorts harbours and are particularly beautiful at night watching the golden Tuscan sunset.