Still thinking about visiting Tuscany?
Are you still on the fence on whether to visit Tuscany? Here are our top 5 reason on why you should not pass up on this extraordinary vacation.
1. Artistic Legacy:
If you consider yourself an art connoisseur, then Tuscany is definitely the go-to spot for you to visit. It is quite literally bursting with art everywhere you look. It’s not called the “birthplace of the Renaissance” for nothing! You can without a doubt get lost among the world’s greatest expressions of artistic treasures. Most of these marvels are located in main art cities such as Florence, Pisa and Siena. Just Florence alone is most likely to hold the largest collection of Renaissance art worldwide. Here you will find numerous art galleries such as the infamous Uffizi Gallery, keeper of the famous painting “The Birth of Venus” by Boticelli, which hold the world’s most valuable creations from the most influential renaissance artists such as Rafaello, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Da Vinci, Correggio among prominent artist.
However, if you desire an even more laid-back environment away from the bustling cities you can also find these exquisite masterpieces in the smaller “hidden” medieval villages that are undoubtedly the gems of Tuscany. Towns such as San Gimignano, Volterra, Lucca not only hold grand masterpieces but are in itself God’s work of art.
What makes traveling here exciting for all is that you can still enjoy art even if Renaissance art is not your cup of tea. Tuscany holds several museums such as the Palazzo Strozzi, where you can enjoy contemporary art and traveling exhibitions.
The point is that when it comes to art, wherever in Tuscany you chose to go you will not be disappointed there is something beautiful and interesting in every corner be it a midlevel castell, a prominent 13th century church filled with frescos and stained glass or even part of famous art collections from the Medici family!
2. Breathtaking Landscape
The simplicity and at the same time majestic landscape of Tuscany in itself is reason enough to visit, and why not wish to stay? It has a variety of sceneries each one unique to its beauty from gentle rolling hills, endless vineyards and Olive groves to the Apennines fit for even the most experience skier. In the northern region you have the Apuan Alps that are nothing short from paradise on earth where you can find the rare Carrara quarries. Here you can also find the coastal area of the Etruscan Coast and Bolgheri with its superb Tuscan wine. Tuscany is a dream come true for those seeking to reconnect with nature, here they will find endless parks and activities where they can explore by biking, hiking, walking or even horseback riding.
3. Amazing Food
Tuscan cooking is comfort food at its best. Simple, tasty, zesty rustic dishes made exclusively from seasonal ingredients. You will find it is filled with vegetables such as mushrooms, garlic, tomatoes, truffles etc., fresh seafood, game such as wild boar, hare, meat, chicken etc. and fresh fruit. Its star ingredient however is of course Olive oil, used to elaborate practically every plate, and we wouldn’t have it any other way since the best Olive oil comes from these fertile lands. For the most part we believe that Italian cooking is mainly pasta, pizza and calzone but it is so much more! Italian, especially Tuscan food, is food that makes you connect and reconnect. Getting together with friends or family partaking in drinking a delicious wine and eating a fresh burrata or a Bistecca a la Florentina is an essential aspect within the Tuscan lifestyle. In Tuscany eating, and with good company is not only a fundamental for the body but vital for the soul.
Tuscan Wine
Tuscany is one of the most famous wine regions worldwide. It is comprised of various distinctive wine regions each of them striving within their own climate, tradition and types of grapes. Here you can experience the way of the land when it comes to wine making, learn to identify the which type of grapes make the boldest wine and which ones make the sweetest ones, understand the difference between a Chianti Classico and a Brunello de Montalcino. This “piece of heaven on earth” has a way of making even the most inexperience wine drinker into a passionate connoisseur.
Total Relaxation
One of the best-known secrets of Tuscany is that is home to various hot springs that range all through the region. The Terme di Montecatini are one of the first in Europe and the largest spa in Italy. Consisting of nine establishments they offer a broad range of spa treatments prepared by qualified medical teams and experts. Tuscany and spas hold a sweet and intimate synergy you can find ancient buildings mixed in with evocative villages that still remembers its history and at the same time have a vacation dedicated to culture, relaxation and wellness.
Although many of these springs are now privately own by hotels and resorts several can still be visited on your own. These include Saturnia and Petriolo south of Siena, which are one of the most famous, but don’t hesitate to ask locals for any suggestions. Who knows you may even find a hidden gem.
written by: Priscilla Moreno