The Best Travel Guide to Tuscany

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Tuscany

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Overview

Tuscany The guide was updated: 2023-10-27

Home to Chianti wine, the Medicis and the Strozzis, Michael Angelo's David, Elba Island where Napoleon was exiled, and the legendary cities of Florence and Pisa, Tuscany is the fertile crescent of Italy where art, history and the pleasures of life shine on. Evergreen landscapes and breathtaking sights serves as cradle to the Italian culture and civilisation to thrive, and it remains today as one of the most appreciated Italian regions - one where the visitor might need to pinch on their arm to know they are not dreaming.

Facts

Population:	3,742 million
Currency:	Euro, €1 = 100 Cents
Search Accommodation:	Hotels »
Emergency numbers:	Police 112 General Emergency 113 Fire brigade 115 Car Breakdown Assistance 116 Ambulance/Medical Emergencies 118
Newspapers:	Lo Schermo Lucca The Florentine
Opening hours:	Most shops, museums, supermarkets, restaurants, cafes close around noon and reopen around 4:00pm Banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Tourist information:	Tourism Bureau for Tuscany Via Manzoni 16 - Florence Tel: +39 055 23320 , +39 055 233 2234 Fax: +39 055 2346286 www.turismo.toscana.it

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Section in Tuscany

If you are looking for a destination where you can have everything, you have found it! Tuscany has a lot to offer for those who are interested in history including the nature seeking traveller and if you love food, this is truly the food heaven! Medieval towns, never-ending vineyards, quiet beaches, islands, castles, religious monuments, outdoor activities: everything is here! Whether you go for a city tour of Florence, Siena and all their neighbours or if you head to the countryside, you will not have a single empty spot in your holiday schedule. The only thing you can wish is that you will have enough time to see your top picks!

Florence Cathedral

Florence Cathedral

The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, located in Florence is the fourth largest cathedral in the world and was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio. Almost two centuries were necessary for the construction of this Cathedral! Outside, take a few minutes to admire the mix of pink, white and green marble and the clock above the entrance. Inside, don't miss Giorgio Vasari's frescoes of the Last Judgment. Climbing up the cupola is also not to be missed.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, although one of Italy's (and the world) most famous sights, has not yet revealed all its secrets. Its architect, responsible for the defect that led the intended straight tower to start leaning during construction, remains unknown - and we have no one to thank for this very entertaining wedding cake-like edifice!

The Basilica of San Miniato al Monte

The Basilica of San Miniato al Monte

The Basilica of San Miniato al Monte, standing at the highest point of Florence, offers an amazingly fine Romanesque architecture and incredible sights thanks to its position. Its history is just as impressive and its saint, Saint Minias, was the first Christian martyr and evangelist in Florence. Don't miss out on the crypt of the basilica.

Siena

Siena

Remarkable for its medieval brick buildings, Siena deserves its spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Don't miss: the beautiful shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, the Torre del Mangia and its impressive views over the city, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and its breathtaking Duomo and intriguing crypt, the rich Piccolomini Library, and the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.

Val d'Orcia

Val d'Orcia

Val d'Orcia's untouched and wild landscape, only inhabited by small picturesque towns and villages are one of the most charming sights in Tuscany. The UNESCO's Wolrd Heritage Sites list has welcomed its mellow hills and gorgeous vineyards (producing the renowned wines of Brunello). Must-see: Pienza the "Ideal City", the Abbey of Sant'Antimo and of course the vineyards and surrounding countryside.

Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria

Florence's L-shaped square the perfect spot for the tired tourist: you can enjoy a relaxing cafe right in the middle of a postcard scenery, seating comfortably all the while enjoying plenty of sights such as the Palazzo de la Signoria after which its named or the Statua Equestre di Cosimo and the Fontana del Nettuno.

Abbazia di San Galgano

Abbazia di San Galgano

This masterpiece of Italian Gothic architecture was left standing but roofless by centuries of legendary history. Built between 1182 and 1185, the Abbey has lost all of its past wealth and grandiosity but very little of its beauty. If you are in the area, have a look at the Rotonda di Montesiepi nearby and look for the sword planted in the ground.

Convent de "Eremo" Le Celle

Convent de "Eremo" Le Celle

Located just outside Cortona, the Convent de Le Celle is a Franciscan convent built in the 13th Century. Over the centuries, it has been occupied by a large variety of religious orders and dedicated to different saints, the most famous probably being St Michael Archangel. The convent is a sight in itself but also benefits from great surroundings.

Elba Island

Elba Island

Biggest Island of the Tuscan Archipelago, Elba is also the most famous. This is the island where French Emperor Napoleon was exiled in 1814 after its defeats. Its history is much richer than this story only, and goes all the way back to the Etruscans and Romans. Now, the island is popular for its clear-blue waters, sandy beaches and amazing nature as well as the thermal baths.

Cappelle Medicee

Cappelle Medicee

The Medici Chapels are two structures at the Basilica San Lorenzo, and an important landmark of the history of Florence. As hinted by its name, it celebrates the city's patrons and Grand Dukes family of the Medici, whose story is entangled to the history of Florence. The Sagrestia Nuova, dating from the 16th century was designed by Michelangelo.

Strozzi Palace

Strozzi Palace

After courting the Medici historical landmarks, don't forget to honour Florence's other major and rival family: the Strozzi. It was built in the sole purpose of showing superiority to the Medici family and assert the political status of Filippo Strozzi the Elder and its descendants. The renaissance Palace once belonging to the family now hosts international art exhibitions.

Galleria dell'Accademia

Galleria dell'Accademia

Most famous for its Renaissance sculptures from Michael Angelo (including the world-famous David statue), the Galleria dell'Accademia ("Accademia Gallery") also hosts other major Italian artists such as Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Pontormo, Andrea del Sarto, Allessando Allori and Orcagna. From masterpiece paintings to incredible music instruments, it is a museum like you can only find in Italy.

The Boboli Gardens

The Boboli Gardens

The Boboli Gardens in Florence are not only the perfect spot when someone is in the mood for some green but also a great cultural outing. Indeed, it hides between its trees a large collection of sculptures dated between the 16th and 18th centuries, or as old as the roman antiquity. While you are there, you can also have a look at the Porta Romana.

Riccardi Medici Palace

Riccardi Medici Palace

The Palazzo Medici, built for the patronymic family, was later renamed Palazzo Medici Riccardi when the latter family purchased and expanded it. It is yet another amazing and iconic remain of Renaissance architecture and is now home to an art museum.

The Chianti Region

The Chianti Region

Worldly famous for the Chanti wine, the eponymous region is also gaining a growing reputation for its fabulous green landscapes, spread over the provinces of Siena and Florence, with no clear delimitation. Olive groves and old stoned houses and villages interrupt here and where the landscape is full of flourishing vineyards.

Parco Regionale della Maremma

Parco Regionale della Maremma

Parco Regionale della Maremma, established in 1975, was the first natural park in Tuscany. It remains out of the classic touristic paths despite being a great green area with a lot of hikes and bicycle rides opportunity as well as a beautiful and natural beach. Come here to breath the fresh air of a barely touched coast.

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