Tuscany is located on the west coast of Italy, by the Tyrrhenian Sea, and is one of the most popular and beautiful holiday destinations in Europe. What Tuscany has to offer its visitors is great food, Renaissance art, wine and pure beauty. There are many things to do in Tuscany, one lifetime wouldn’t be enough to do them all.
First of all, a visitor of Tuscany must go to Florence. Here is where you will find the Renaissance art and the most beautiful architecture of the world. The city is filled with fascinating museums and that have many paintings and sculptures. Florence is also the place of the Medici palaces and gardens. The Baptistery and the Duomo are a pleasure to the eye, but oftentimes the piazza is too crowded with tourists.
The famous summer horse race Il Palio takes place in the beautiful classic medieval town Siena. Another famous piazza in Toscana is the large Piaza del Campo, which is dominated by the Torre del Mangia, a tall bell tower.
We left the leaning tower of Pisa for the third place. However, there is much more to the city to see. Once home to Lord Byron and Shelley, the big poets, Pisa has an amazing medieval centre. The homes of the poets are obviously available to tour. Like Florence, Pisa has a Duomo and a Batistery, as well as park and statues.
Another great attraction is city walls of Lucca, one of the best preserved walled cities in the world. Climbing the wall, you can take walks and bicycle rides by paths that are overlooking the city. More than this, there are gardens on top of the walls, this allowing people to walk around the city’s historic centre. Lucca is also known for its well preserved towers and its notable shopping centre and restaurants.
We know about Cortona, the 3000 year old hill town, from the novel “Under the Tuscan Sun”, by Francis Mayes. Cortona is surrounded Etruscan walls. Its walls are built in layers around its Etruscan core.
San Gimignano has 14 surviving medieval towers that create a skyline observable from the surrounding countryside. This town is also known as the City of Beautiful Towers. Neighbour to San Gimignano is a similar town called Volterra.
All towns in Toscana are hill towns, surrounded by medieval walls. However, it is time for a different kind of town. For example, Montecatine Terme. This is one of the most appreciated spa towns in Italy. With natural thermal waters, the spas here are all modernized for beauty and wellness.
Visiting Tuscany, it would be remiss not to taste its wine. Chianti Classico is Tuscany’s most famous wine region that lies between Florence and Siena. Chianti has beautiful countryside, picturesque villages, and spectacular wineries. Start by visiting Barone Ricasoli Winery and Brolio Castle for great wine tasting.
Tuscany is the ideal destination for those who want to enjoy a relaxed holiday. If you want to rent a villa for your Italy holidays check out castelfalfi.co.uk for the best luxury resorts in Tuscany.
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