Why choose Tuscany for your holiday

Why choose Tuscany for your holiday? There are so many reasons! Whether you are looking for a holiday dedicated to art and history, nature, the sea or relaxation, Tuscany is for you. This beautiful region has everything to offer and can satisfy every type of traveller: from the world-famous cities of art to the medieval villages, from the gentle hills of Chianti to the beaches of Versilia and the islands of the archipelago, not forgetting, of course, the great wealth of food and wine, there is nothing lacking in Tuscany.

HISTORY AND ART

To holiday in this wonderful region is to take a journey through time. Its history spans a very long period and whatever your itinerary, it will inevitably cross various historical eras. From an artistic perspective, Tuscany has from its origins been a source of inspiration for numerous artists who have left an indelible mark on the history of art such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Brunelleschi and Donatello, to name but a few.

Without detracting from the other cities of art, Florence alone is worth a holiday in Tuscany. Considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, it contains such a wealth of art masterpieces that it is difficult, if not impossible, to find in any other city. From the spectacular Duomo to the Baptistery of San Giovanni, from the Basilica of Santa Croce to Palazzo Vecchio, from the Uffizi Gallery to Palazzo Pitti, there are so many things to see. But it does not end here, because in addition to Florence, there is Siena, Pisa and many other less famous but no less interesting cities of art such as Lucca, Pietrasanta and Vinci.

Away from the cities and along the back roads, on the other hand, lie a large number of villages rich in history and of great charm. They represent tangible and architecturally interesting evidence of an ancient and important past. Undoubtedly worth a visit are Montepulciano, Pienza, Cetona, San Gimignano, Certaldo and Volterra.

THE CAMPAIGN

Tuscany is also famous for its countryside and its incredibly beautiful and extremely varied rural landscapes, which still tell the story of the area. It is ideal for those who want to get away from the chaotic pace of the city and spend a holiday in contact with nature. Among the best known areas are the Chianti hills, straddling the provinces of Florence, Siena and Arezzo. Famous for viticulture and the production of the wine of the same name, they present themselves as a concentration of villages surrounded by greenery.

Also noteworthy are: the Val d’Orcia, declared a Unesco World Heritage Site with its landscape characterised by cypress avenues, unique landscapes and endless vineyards; and the Crete Senesi, an expanse of gullies and biancane punctuated by a few villages perched on hilltops, in an atmosphere of unusual beauty. Lesser known but equally fascinating are: the Garfagnana, one of the most fertile plains in Tuscany, rich in spectacular caves and nature reserves; and the immense, unspoilt forests of the Casentino, dotted with monasteries and castles.

THE SEA

For those who prefer the sea to the countryside, Tuscany boasts around 500 km of coastline and an archipelago consisting of seven major and six minor islands, with world-famous seaside resorts. You are spoilt for choice. In addition to boasting enchanting beaches and crystal-clear waters, the Tuscan coast meets the needs of a diverse and ageless public with a world-class tourist organisation. Moreover, it has a system of facilities and equipment for practising all kinds of sea sports.

They range from the vast expanses of the Maremma to the splendid coves of the Costa degli Etruschi, but those who love fun cannot but choose Versilia, which has always been synonymous with tourism and carefreeness. One of the most exclusive and elegant resorts in Versilia is Forte dei Marmi, a small jewel that has been a true style icon since the 1960s. In the Tuscan archipelago, the paradisiacal Island of Elba stands out, seducing tourists from all over the world with its variety of seascapes and surprising vegetation.

FOOD AND WINE

Not to be underestimated is the food and wine side of the experience. Distinguished by simple and refined flavours, Tuscan cuisine, so varied and delicious, is famous for its variety of recipes and the quality of its ingredients. Moreover, it is traditionally defined as genuine and balanced as it has always been closely linked to the land that generates its ingredients. Tuscan cuisine is characterised by four essential ingredients: bread, extra virgin olive oil, meat and wine.

Despite its humble origins, it boasts a number of truly extraordinary typical products such as the Tuscan Precious Black Truffle, Tuscan PDO bread, Lardo di Colonnata PGI and Chianti Classico PDO extra virgin olive oil. Among the various tasty specialities are bistecca alla fiorentina, a true symbol of Tuscan gastronomy; panzanella, a peasant dish whose ingredients are stale bread, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, basil, salt, pepper, vinegar and oil; ribollita, a soup made with bread, cabbage, beans, spinach, tomatoes and stale bread, pork rinds or ham bone; pappa al pomodoro, a legendary peasant recipe with a genuine and delicious flavour; and lampredotto, or abomaso, one of the four stomachs of cattle, the king of Florentine sandwiches. And finally, the fine wines could not be missing, among which the Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino stand out.

So have we convinced you? Now all you have to do is book your holiday in Tuscany!!!