Introducing Tuscany
Where pleasure takes priority
How it’s possible for any kind of ‘normal’ life to take place in Tuscany remains a mystery. With its undulating landscape where solitary villas or ancient hilltop towns sit perched in splendid isolation, this is a place for epic histories and fine romance. Surrounded by a verdant patchwork of olive groves, cypress trees and vineyards, hours should be consumed with feasting and fine wines – and then gently walking or sleeping it off. And as a destination with breathtakingly beautiful art and architecture, surely the only way to spend a day is in a state of wonder? Tuscany gives you permission to indulge in the pleasure of doing it all.
Your first ports of call
Strict building regulations ensure that Tuscany’s ten provinces remain beautifully unspoilt, but with 23,000 square kilometres to explore, where do holidays begin? For many, this journey of 1,000 experiences starts with the unmissable trinity of Florence, Siena and San Gimignano.
Tuscany’s capital and the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence, is a living art gallery, whilst Siena, known for its expansive piazza, superb duomo and Il Palio, the white-knuckle horse race, is a time-slip into the Middle Ages. The towers and narrow streets of small, hilltop San Gimignano are from the same era and crammed with opportunities to shop, eat and admire historic frescoes, along with stunning views.
Chianti, for the ultimate tipple
Tuscan life flows on its world-famous wines and Chianti, tucked between Florence and Siena, is the epicentre. Medieval Greve is seen as the gateway to this region with a wine museum, impressive September wine festival and plenty of restaurants around its triangular porticoed piazza for sampling the grape and the good.
Historic Panzano nearby hosts the Vino al Vino, an annual gathering of winemakers for tastings and live jazz, and Radda in Chianti, from its beautiful hilltop location, also pays regular homage to its local producers, hosting the Radda nel Bicchiere in June. To see the wineries in action, time your holiday to coincide with the grape harvest in late August/September.
When in Florence
Home to Michelangelo’s David and paintings by the likes of Da Vinci, Botticelli and Caravaggio, Florence is one of Europe’s finest cities of art. And yet with its iconic Duomo, churches, and squares, not least the famous Piazza della Signoria – a social hub since the 13th-century – masterpieces are everywhere. And this is a place to be sociable. There’s a lively nightlife and countless restaurants, cafés and wine bars. And from the jewellery for sale along the famous Ponte Vecchio to the designer boutiques – this was the birthplace of Gucci after all – a chance to shop is never far away.
Tuscany for tots, tweens and teens
From children’s activity packs and interactive exhibits in museums to the world’s best gelati, Tuscany caters for the younger generation – and welcomes them like a favourite grandchild in restaurants. Of course the whole region is a history lesson brought to life and climbing historic towers and medieval fortresses can be fun, but if that doesn’t cut it for older children, there are street parties and lively festivals, bike rides along Lucca’s ancient walls, Siena’s exciting Palio horserace or, south of the city, the adventure park of Saltalbero, in the spa town of Rapolano Terme, with tree walks and horseriding.
How it’s possible for any kind of ‘normal’ life to take place in Tuscany remains a mystery. With its undulating landscape where solitary villas or ancient hilltop towns sit perched in splendid isolation, this is a place for epic histories and fine romance. Surrounded by a verdant patchwork of olive groves, cypress trees and vineyards, hours should be consumed with feasting and fine wines – and then gently walking or sleeping it off. And as a destination with breathtakingly beautiful art and architecture, surely the only way to spend a day is in a state of wonder? Tuscany gives you permission to indulge in the pleasure of doing it all.
Your first ports of call
Strict building regulations ensure that Tuscany’s ten provinces remain beautifully unspoilt, but with 23,000 square kilometres to explore, where do holidays begin? For many, this journey of 1,000 experiences starts with the unmissable trinity of Florence, Siena and San Gimignano.
Tuscany’s capital and the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence, is a living art gallery, whilst Siena, known for its expansive piazza, superb duomo and Il Palio, the white-knuckle horse race, is a time-slip into the Middle Ages. The towers and narrow streets of small, hilltop San Gimignano are from the same era and crammed with opportunities to shop, eat and admire historic frescoes, along with stunning views.
Chianti, for the ultimate tipple
Tuscan life flows on its world-famous wines and Chianti, tucked between Florence and Siena, is the epicentre. Medieval Greve is seen as the gateway to this region with a wine museum, impressive September wine festival and plenty of restaurants around its triangular porticoed piazza for sampling the grape and the good.
Historic Panzano nearby hosts the Vino al Vino, an annual gathering of winemakers for tastings and live jazz, and Radda in Chianti, from its beautiful hilltop location, also pays regular homage to its local producers, hosting the Radda nel Bicchiere in June. To see the wineries in action, time your holiday to coincide with the grape harvest in late August/September.
When in Florence
Home to Michelangelo’s David and paintings by the likes of Da Vinci, Botticelli and Caravaggio, Florence is one of Europe’s finest cities of art. And yet with its iconic Duomo, churches, and squares, not least the famous Piazza della Signoria – a social hub since the 13th-century – masterpieces are everywhere. And this is a place to be sociable. There’s a lively nightlife and countless restaurants, cafés and wine bars. And from the jewellery for sale along the famous Ponte Vecchio to the designer boutiques – this was the birthplace of Gucci after all – a chance to shop is never far away.
Tuscany for tots, tweens and teens
From children’s activity packs and interactive exhibits in museums to the world’s best gelati, Tuscany caters for the younger generation – and welcomes them like a favourite grandchild in restaurants. Of course the whole region is a history lesson brought to life and climbing historic towers and medieval fortresses can be fun, but if that doesn’t cut it for older children, there are street parties and lively festivals, bike rides along Lucca’s ancient walls, Siena’s exciting Palio horserace or, south of the city, the adventure park of Saltalbero, in the spa town of Rapolano Terme, with tree walks and horseriding.