Tuscany is located in the central part of Italy. It is famous for its picturesque hills, cities with a rich cultural heritage, clean beaches and Etruscan necropolises.
Tuscany plays a leading role in the tourism world, it is lucky in literally all matters - sea ​​coast, rocky shores, marble quarries, endless vineyards, rural landscapes, necropolis cities of the mysterious Etruscans.
Numerous cities with artistic masterpieces attract curious tourists. The capital of Tuscany is Florence, which is called one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Arezzo and Pistoia are definitely worth a visit.

The thermal springs of Saturnia, Montecatini, Montepulciano offer a whole range of wellness treatments.
Tuscany is one of the most famous and prestigious wine regions in Italy; many wineries offer tours of their cellars, where you can taste wines and enjoy Italian cuisine.

A Brief History of Tuscany

The first inhabitants of Tuscany were the Etruscans, in the 1st century BC. they founded a prosperous state, some evidence of that period has survived to this day.
The Etruscans were replaced by the Romans, and then came the Lombards, who retained power over the region until the formation of the Duchy of Tuscia. Then control of the territory passed into the hands of the Canozz dynasty, from which the famous Matilda di Canosa came. They also owned Modena, Reggio Emilia and Mantua.
In the 11th century, Pisa became the most important and powerful city in Tuscany. The Maritime Republic controlled almost the entire region. The southern part was ruled by the Aldobrandeschi dynasty, which was of Lombard origin.
The 12th century became a period of free communes. Pistoia became the first free commune in Italy. At this time, the position of Siena and Florence strengthened, and they began to compete with each other.
In the XIV-XV centuries. Famous artists, sculptors and writers worked in Tuscany, and especially in Florence.
In the 15th century, the Medici family from Florence entered the political arena and ruled until the mid-18th century. During this period, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany united almost all the territories of the region, with the exception of Lucca.
The crisis erupted in Tuscany with the arrival of Napoleon. The new geographical formation became known as the kingdom of Etruria. It was ruled by the Bourbons of Parma, hence the Habsburgs with Ferdinand III.
Later, the Duchy of Tuscany, together with Lucca, became part of the Kingdom of Italy, and in 1860 it became part of a united Italy.
Currently, about 3,700,000 people live in Tuscany.

Trip to Tuscany

Tuscany is beautiful at any time of the year, but in the hot summer months it will be difficult to tour the cities, which are filled with crowds of tourists anyway.
The best season to visit wine-growing areas is autumn. IN summer months You can choose a beach holiday.
Flights from Moscow are carried out to Pisa Airport (Galileo Galilei), including a direct flight with Pobeda Airlines, as well as to Florence (Amerigo Vespucci).
Tuscany has good rail connections.
The region has two main ports, Livorno and Piombino, which connect the mainland with Sardinia and Corsica.

Inspiration from Tuscany

To get inspired on a trip to Tuscany, you can listen to the enchanting voice of Andrea Bocelli or rock star Gianna Nannini. It is also worth watching the film “Life is Beautiful” by Tuscan director Roberto Benini, “Under the Tuscan Sun”, “My Friends”, “Beautiful Wife”, “I Love You in All the Languages ​​of the World” and many others.

What to visit in Tuscany










Lunigiana



Colonnata



Pontremoli and Museum of Ancient Steles




Maremma










Gavorrano



Orbetello



Nowadays, Orbetello is a tourist destination, famous for its fishing and wines. The city is located in the south of Tuscany and is easily accessible even from Rome.

Tuscany... The name of this enchanting Italian region is on everyone’s lips. What is this connected with? I constantly asked myself this question, I didn’t understand why this region is so popular...

I guess I just didn’t realize that Tuscany is a real “treasury”! This region is endlessly rich in:

  • Significant historical events... for example, it was thanks to the great Dante Alighieri that the Tuscan dialect formed the basis of the modern Italian language, and the author of the Divine Comedy became the “father of the literary Italian language”!
  • Prominent figures... it was here that such great figures of science and culture were born: Leonardo da Vinci, Francesco Petrarca, Giovanni Boccaccio, Niccolo Machiavelli, Galileo Galilei, Sandro Botticelli, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Amerigo Vespucci and many others! Tuscany is home to a paradoxical number of exceptionally talented people!


  • Amazing cities... Tuscany is a necklace that consists of the most real diamonds of Italian urban planning and architecture: Lucca, Arezzo, San Gimignano are simply amazing! There is even a legend that is so beautiful that it refers to one of the cities in the world that, in the literal sense of the word, can drive a person crazy with its beauty.


  • Treasures of world culture... It would not be an exaggeration to say that the region is simply filled with masterpieces of world art; moreover, Tuscany is the cradle of a new stage in the history of culture, because it was there that the great Renaissance began.


  • Natural resources... The landscape of this region is so diverse that there is something for everyone. Flat terrain occupies about 10% of the entire area of ​​the region, and in the remaining 90% you can find absolutely everything. Tuscany has both mountain ranges, and softly defined hills. The coast of the region, along which there are various islands surrounded by coral reefs, seems endless. Moreover, even dormant volcano“fell asleep” in the province of Florence!


Thus, even from the introduction you can understand that the endless praises towards Tuscany are well deserved! This region leaves no one indifferent, and that is why Tuscany is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy.

How to get there

There are several ways to get to the Tuscany region. This can be done not only by land and by air, but if you try very hard (since the proposed option is quite limited), it is possible to reach the shores of the region by sea;).


But this option will only please those who are planning their flight from Moscow, since direct flights were opened only for this direction. Unfortunately, residents of St. Petersburg will have to make a transfer, as in the previous option.

Below is the current schedule for Moscow, which indicates: validity period, departure and arrival times (local time), flight number, days of the week on which the flight operates.


You can read more detailed information related to types of transport in the city in the article of the same name.

By train

Much to the chagrin of travelers, there is currently no direct train that would take you to the capital of the Tuscany region.

However, I would like to tell you 3 ways to get to Florence by train if you are coming from Genoa, Milan or Rome.

I can immediately warn you that you won’t be able to find a more or less decent room in the historical center of the city for less than 70 EUR per person. Either it will be a special offer, which the site very often puts out, or it will be something like a bed in a hostel. But people who are not limited by budget will have plenty of room to roam: there are plenty of 5-star luxury hotels, where renting a single room for 1 night will start from 250 EUR, in the city.


As for other cities in Tuscany: the price will be slightly lower (10-15%) and the choice will be smaller (due to the small size of the city). But you can always try your luck and try to look for offers from local residents, who are often more loyal.


You can look at prices for apartments, and compare the cost of hotel rooms by.

Nutrition

Eating out in restaurants in Tuscany is an expensive pleasure. If you have an unlimited budget, Florence is home to a number of MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Here are some of them:

  • IL PALAGIO. Address: Borgo Pinti 99, 50121, Firenze
  • RISTORANTE IL LATINI. Address: Via dei Palchetti, 6R, 50123, Firenze
  • IL SANTO BEVITORE. Address: Via di Santo Spirito, 64/66 r, 50125, Firenze
  • ENOTECA PINCHIORRI. Address: Via Ghibellina, 87, 50122, Firenze

For dinner in such a restaurant for two people you will pay at least 150 EUR, and at the maximum... it all depends on your talent;).


Even dinner for two in a middle-class restaurant will cost you 60-70 EUR. Therefore, people who cannot afford something like this will have to eat either in “cibo di strada” restaurants - street snacks (one such hearty snack can cost about 4-5 EUR), or buy food in supermarkets or food markets, which, naturally, will cost several times less.


Excursions

Excursions and tours in Tuscany are not a cheap pleasure. Sometimes tourist guides can ask for about 100 EUR for a 2-3 hour personal tour of Florence only; for group excursions the price tag starts from 40 EUR. And if you want to travel around the outskirts of Tuscany in a guide’s personal car, then be prepared to pay from 250 EUR for such a personal excursion. It’s hard not to agree that with a guide you will visit a lot of interesting places, you will learn a huge amount of new information. But don’t despair if you can’t afford something like this, because you can always turn to paper guides (prices for such an “assistant” will start from 10 EUR)! And believe me (checked by me personally), very often they indicate really worthwhile places, which are usually recommended by local residents of the city!

Taxi and transport

The features of taxis and public transport in Tuscany will be discussed below.

Main attractions. What to see

When I got to writing this section, I felt a little bad, to put it mildly, because I really didn’t know what to grasp and what to write about!

There are too many interesting and delightful things in Tuscany! That is why I decided to change the standard “Top 5” section and make it a “UNESCO World Heritage section”.

For a moment: there are as many as 7 UNESCO sites in Tuscany! And these places are really worth visiting, because it’s not for nothing that they are part of the world heritage of mankind :).

top 10

UNESCO World Heritage List in Tuscany:






Moreover, several more sites in Tuscany are candidates and are “in line” for recognition as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site:


Beaches. Which ones are better

Conventionally, I would divide holidays on the beaches in Tuscany into several main areas.

Northern part of the Tuscan coast

It is also known as Versilia. Holidays in this part of the Tuscan coast are considered prestigious and elite even among residents of Italy itself, because not everyone can afford such a vacation. Hotels and restaurants Versilia They are distinguished by high quality and excellent service, and the beaches are distinguished by their environmental friendliness and warm sea.

Despite the high price tag, hotels are booked to capacity during the holiday season, so it's best to make reservations in advance. It is important to note that most beaches are paid, and if you are not a hotel guest, you will have to pay for an umbrella and sunbed (prices start from 35 EUR for one-day use per person).

TO Versilia The following resort towns include: Viareggio, Lido di Camaiore, Marina di Pietrasanta, Forte dei Marmi.



Southern part of the Tuscan coast

This part covers the cities of the Tuscan Riviera, which are located on the site from Livorno to Monte Argentario .

Unlike the first direction, prices here are more affordable, so more people can afford this type of vacation. But there are also extremely prestigious seaside resorts here!

The so-called Riviera Etruscan- part of the coast that belongs to P Province of Livorno: Castiglioncello, Marina di Castagneto, Marina di Bibbona, Marina di Cecina . There are consistently a lot of tourists here, in addition, this destination is considered ideal for a relaxing family holiday, because the main amusement parks of the Tuscany region are concentrated in the area.

If we talk about the second part of the South Coast ( Maremma and Grosetto zones), then you can arrange a fashionable holiday in cities such as Punta Ala and Castiglione della Pescaia . And here are the resorts F Ollonica, Marina di Grosseto and Tirrenia can please travelers with the affordability of their prices and the quality of the beaches along the coastline.



Islands of the Tuscan archipelago

You can also read about this direction a little below.

Their nature is simply amazing! It feels like you are on the Caribbean islands: snow-white sand, crystal clear turquoise water, coral reefs. It is due to the presence of unique marine flora and fauna that these islands are a favorite place for divers.

Although it seems that a holiday in the Tuscan archipelago is not a cheap pleasure, this is not entirely true! On the island Elbe there are always many offers for different budgets, and the island Giglio Pleases with really low prices. Another undoubted advantage of a holiday in the Tuscan archipelago is a large number of wild beaches, which, of course, are free :).



Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

As you would expect, there are a huge number of beautiful churches and amazing cathedrals and basilicas in Tuscany.

Therefore, I tried to choose the most interesting and significant of them. All of them are located in different provinces of the region.

Churches in


  • Basilica of Santa Maria Novella – La Basilica di Santa Maria Novella.

  • Basilica of Santa Croce – Basilica di Santa Croce.

Churches in Arezzo

  • Cathedral Saints and Donato – La Сattedrale dei Santi Pietro e Donato. This temple is the heart of the spiritual life of the city.

  • Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie – Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie. This cathedral surprises with its unusual architecture. The inspiration for creating such a portico was Orphanage(orphanage) in Florence.

Churches in Lucca

  • Cathedral of St. Martin - La Cattedrale di San Martino. At the moment, the Cathedral houses the works of the famous Italian sculptor Matteo Civitali. Therefore, the entrance fee is 3 EUR (just visiting the temple), 5 EUR (visiting and the opportunity to climb the tower).

  • Basilica of St. Fredian - La Basilica di San Frediano. The main decoration of the temple is a mosaic depicting Jesus Christ and the apostles, which decorates the external facade of the basilica.

  • Church of San Michele in Foro – La Chiesa di San Michele in Foro. On the facade of the church there is a statue of Archangel Michael. According to legend, it is believed that in certain light a green glow emanates from the statue, the cause of which is the emerald that was well hidden there.

Churches in

Detailed information can be found .

  • Cathedral in honor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Il Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta.

  • Church of Santa Maria della Spina – La Chiesa di Santa Maria della Spina.

Prato

  • Cathedral of Santo Stefano – La Cattedrale di Santo Stefano. The cathedral amazes with both its external and internal decoration. An ideal example of Tuscan architecture in its best traditions.

Churches in

You can read more in detail.

  • Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - La Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta.

  • Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Servi – La Basilica di Santa Maria dei Servi.

  • Cathedral of San Domenico – La Basilica di San Domenico.

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

I think I won’t surprise you if I say that Tuscany has a huge variety of museums. You can read about the world's most famous museums in the previously mentioned article about the city.

I also suggest checking out the articles on Pisa and Siena if you want to find out more information about the most interesting museums in these beautiful medieval cities.

In this section, I decided to take an alternative path and talk about the most unusual, perhaps even a little strange museums that exist in Tuscany.

Truffle Museum in San Giovanni d'Asso (Il Museo del Tartufo a San Giovanni d'Asso)

Yes, yes, indeed in Tuscany small town San Giovanni d’Asso is a museum where they will share with you all possible and impossible information about this amazing mushroom “under the name truffle”. An interesting fact is that about 20% of the “world’s truffle reserves” are concentrated in Italy. Tuscany is very lucky in this regard - the “truffle season” here lasts almost all year round. And no joke, truffle is truly a regional pride!


Address: Piazza Antonio Gramsci, 1, 53020 San Giovanni d'Asso SI

Opening hours: a April-November – every day from 10.00 to 13.00 and from 15.00 to 18.00

Ticket price:

Full price – 4 EUR.

Discount for students – 3 EUR.

For children under 13 years old – 2 EUR.

For children under 6 years old and disabled people admission is free.

Wine Mountainod-museum (World Wine Town)

A real city-museum under open air, which is dedicated to exceptional Italian wines

In the exhibition you will be able to find out absolutely everything you “ever wanted to know, but were afraid to ask” about wines :). Moreover, the complex also houses hotels, restaurants, a wine academy and a culinary school! The place is a must-visit for everyone who loves and appreciates this noble drink!


Address: Casone Ugolino, Via del Casone Ugolino, 24/32, 57022 Castagneto Carducci LI

Excursions and tours are conducted by prior arrangement.

Gucci Museum

This real paradise for people who know fashion: the exhibition is located on 3 floors of one of the historical buildings in the heart of Florence - Palazzo di Mercanzia. The stunning atmosphere of the place adds a certain ambience to the museum.

In addition, in addition to the museum, you can also visit the library or cafe/restaurant (which are open to absolutely everyone, not just museum visitors).


Address: Piazza della Signoria, 10, 50122 Firenze FI

Opening hours: daily 10.00-20.00. Exceptions: January 1, August 15, December 25.

Ticket price: 6 EUR.

***

In addition, you can look into very specific museums:



Parks

In this section, I tried to present the entire range of natural resources that are located in Tuscany: protected areas, national and archaeological parks, mountains, baths, valleys, grottoes...

The list is endless, so I chose those places that I have not mentioned before.

Park in the Maremma region – Parco Naturale della Maremma

This park has beautiful beaches. But it is worth noting that access to some of them is closed, and to others is limited, since the entire territory is a natural protected area.

Via del Bersagliere 7/9, Alberese.


Archaeological Park "Città del Tufo" – Parco Archeologico "Città del Tufo"

On the territory of the park there are ancient Etruscan necropolises (III-II centuries BC), which are considered unique archaeological site.

Palazzo Pretorio | Piazza Pretorio, 12/a, Sovana, Sorano.


Naturalistic Park Biancane – Parco Naturalistico delle Biancane

An extraordinary park, the landscape of which was influenced by the geological and geothermal processes occurring in this area.

Strada Provinciale Bagnolo, Monterotondo Marittimo.


Thermal Baths of Fosso Bianco – Le Terme del Fosso Bianco

Thermal springs, which are located deep in the forest.

Via del Bollore, Bagni di San Filippo.


Terme di Saturnia

Famous Tuscan thermal springs, adapted for convenient visiting of the place by visitors.

Saturnia, Grosseto.


Stretti di Giaredo – Stretti di Giaredo

A natural canyon of extraordinary beauty! A place that has not yet become one of the destinations of mass tourism;).

loc. Cavezzana Gordana, Pontremoli.


Laguna Orbetello – Laguna di Orbetello

One of the most picturesque lagoons in the region, which is surrounded by sand spits. Is a nature reserve because it is inhabited by different kinds migratory birds.

SS Aurelia Km 147 | Orbetello - Monte Argentario - Gr, Albinia, Orbetello.


Mount Capanne - Monte Capanne and Mount Pania della Croce - Pania della Croce

Marciana, Elba Island.


Piglionico, Molazzana.


Two picturesque mountains, which are a favorite place for hiking and walking.

Grotta del Vento (grotto) – Grotta del Vento and Tourist Grotto Antro del Corchia – Grotta Turistica Antro del Corchia


Fraz. Levigliani di Stazzema, Stazzema.


Two delightful grottoes that are open to tourists. Really exciting places!

Botanical Garden “Pietro Pellegrini” – Orto Botanico "Pietro Pellegrini"

Via dei Colli | Pian della Fioba, Massa.


Nearby Islands

In this section it is worth mentioning clearly Tuscan archipelago, which is also the largest marine national park in the Mediterranean Sea.


The Tuscan archipelago consists of 7 quite large islands and a huge number of smaller islands. These islands are also called the "Seven Sisters", which include:


Each island has its own characteristics and unique aspects: they are different not only geologically, but also historically. For example, an island Montecristo was recognized as a State and Nature Reserve in 1971. Islands Giglio and Giannutri They are distinguished by the presence of absolutely virgin, untouched nature - the central part of the islands is not inhabited by people. Island Elbe famous not only for the stunning beauty of its beaches, but also for its history. This island became the place of “honorable exile” of Napoleon Bonaparte, who in 1815 managed to escape from the island in order to leave another vivid memory of himself in history - the “Hundred Days” of returning to power. But, it is important to note that each of the “sisters” is beautiful and has unique natural resources: colorful reefs, blue grottoes, clear water, special flora and fauna.

Neighboring regions

The region of Tuscany shares a border with 5 others Italian regions: Lazio, Marche, Umbria and Emilia-Romagna.


North

In the north of Tuscany there is a region whose inhabitants are famous for their endless love for two things: good meat dishes and fast racing cars. And this is not surprising: Emilia-Romagna is the birthplace of delicious meat dishes (lasagne/spaghetti alla bolognese = lasagne or spaghetti alla Bolognese) and legendary racing cars (Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati).


Northwest

West of Tuscany there is another extremely interesting and beautiful Italian region -. Small but charming attracts tourists great beaches And seaside resorts In addition, there is a famous National Park there. This region is the birthplace of the popular “green” pesto alla genovese (pesto alla genovese).


South

South of Tuscany is one of the most famous Italian regions - Lazio, where the capital of Italy is located - the eternal city. Colorful and rich in ancient (and not only!) attractions Lazio attracts tourists from all over the world, for a huge number of travelers it is on the list of must-visit cities. That is why I believe that the phrase “all roads lead to Rome” has a full right to exist.


East

Located a little east of Tuscany Umbria and Marche. Umbria, fortunately or unfortunately, has remained a little in the shadow of Tuscany, so domestic tourism is well developed in the region - many Italians prefer to go to Umbria, where vacation prices are slightly lower, and the nature is in no way inferior to “promoted Tuscany.” Moreover, it is in Umbria produce the most famous Italian chocolate - Perugia (). In its turn Marche famous for its seaside resorts, clean beaches and warm sea. But the “pearl” of the region, in my opinion, is the city - the birthplace of Rafael Santi.



Food. What to try

The word “Italy” for many is synonymous with the word “pizza”. But this is not entirely fair: indeed, pizza is prepared in absolutely every region, and in every major city you can find a couple of excellent pizzerias, the owners of which are, as a rule, Neapolitans. This is not surprising, since everyone’s favorite pizza was “born” in Naples, so Neapolitans know the correct recipe for its preparation like no one else.


All this introduction was necessary in order to emphasize one, in my opinion, very important fact: when you are planning your trip to a certain region of Italy, do not be lazy and check the features of the regional cuisine, because only there you can taste the most authentic dish.

Now, with a calm soul and a sense of accomplishment, I can move on to describing the features of Tuscan cuisine :).

Hot dishes

  • In my opinion, truly the “queen of the Tuscan table” is Florentine steak – bistecca alla fiorentina (bistecca alla fiorentina). To prepare this type of steak, only beef is used. Moreover, a real beefsteak can only be prepared from the meat of a special breed of cow - “ Chiantina"(the name is given in honor of the Chianti Valley). The steak is not marinated, no spices are added (except for salt, pepper and butter, which are served during the meal), the meat is eaten without a side dish - everything is so that the real taste can be felt.
  • Bistecca alla Fiorentina– it’s always a rare steak; there are 2 degrees of meat doneness: al sangue– fried, but with a small amount of blood and molto al sangue– almost raw meat in the center. It is important to note that the portion for one person is simply huge, since the size varies from 450 to 1500 grams. The price of such a portion is correspondingly astronomical (beef is sold at 23 EUR per kilogram, add here the price for preparation, service and everything will come out 50 EUR per serving for one), but this dish is worth allowing yourself once, especially if you consider yourself a meat lover!

  • The next rather specific dish of Tuscan cuisine is brains in Florentine style – cervello alla fiorentina (Cervello alla Fiorentina). When cooking, beef brains are used, which are fried in a breading of breadcrumbs, flour and eggs. In general, Tuscan cuisine often uses all kinds of offal: brains, tripe, liver, stomachs, and so on. This part of the specific Tuscan dishes is not for everybody, because not everyone will like it.

  • Also, in the regional cuisine of Tuscany, game meat is very often used: deer, roe deer, wild hare, pheasant, duck, etc. Therefore, one of the most typical types of pasta in Tuscany is pappardelle with wild boar ragout – pappardelle al cinghiale (pappardelle al cinghiale). Pappardelle are wide, long and flat ribbons of pasta that are extremely common in Tuscany and can be served with various sauces and stews.

  • But lovers of fish dishes should go to the Tuscan Riviera, where there is a huge variety of them. I would like to highlight cacciucco – cacciucco- a thick seafood soup originating from the city of Livorno. Absolutely different seafood can be added to this dish: mussels, octopus, squid, langoustines. In addition, the soup must include at least 5 varieties of different fish (for example, bream, catfish, moray eel, scallop, devil or eel). Why 5? In keeping with the name of the dish, as the word “cacciucco” is written using the letter “c” five times.

Dessert

Of the desserts, I would like to mention 2, which are typical specifically for the Tuscany region.

  • My favorite especially is the cake, which is prepared on the basis of chestnut flour - castagnaccio (castagnaccio). In addition to chestnut flour, water, olive oil, pine and walnuts, raisins and rosemary are also added to its base. Thus, the dessert is not too sweet and has a very unique taste.

  • Another popular dessert is a cake called zuccotto – zuccotto. This is a soft biscuit-curd dessert, to which rum essence and pitted cherries are also added, which gives the cake a refined and delicate taste.

Holidays

In Italy, many holidays are celebrated that (or analogues of which) exist in Russia. Such examples include: Christmas, New Year, Easter, Labor Day. Another category already includes the Day of the Proclamation of the Republic, Ferragosto, All Saints Day - they are national, therefore they are celebrated throughout the country.

In addition, there are a number of regional celebrations and folk festivals. It is this category of festivals, typical only for the Tuscany region, that will be discussed in this section. Believe me, there are a huge number of them, but we will only touch on some of the most striking and famous celebrations of Tuscan cities.

  • Firenze. In Florence, a holiday is especially celebrated in honor of the patron saint of the city, who is John the Baptist. Every year on June 24, the city hosts a grandiose costume parade and antique-style folk festivals. But the crowning glory of this festival is the sporting event - Calcio Storico - a football “historical” match, which is played according to the rules of the 16th century.


  • Viareggio. Another great event in the region is the Winter Carnival, which takes place in Viareggio. In terms of celebrity significance, he ranks with Venice Carnival. But while the latter is a more refined affair, the Carnival of Viareggio is the essence of pure and crazy fun, accompanied by a parade of floats with huge papier-mâché dolls. It all ends with fireworks.


  • Siena. The most famous sporting event in the small city of Siena is the historical Palio – il Palio di Siena. The Siena Palio is a traditional horse race that takes place in the main city square (Piazza del Campo). They are held twice a year (July 2 and August 16), and each time it is a grand event. After the winner is determined, the city is “dressed up” with the flags and banners of his team, which will decorate the historical center until the next competition.


  • Pisa. The festival in honor of the city's patron Saint Ranieri (June 16) is the most important event in Pisa. The most delightful part of the holiday is the so-called Luminara, when the entire embankment of the Arno River is decorated with thousands of candles, thus creating an unforgettable and magical atmosphere...


In cities such as Arezzo (June/September), Massa Marittima (August) and Sansepolcro (September), historical games and competitions stylized in the Middle Ages will take place. Crossbowmen and horsemen, who are dressed in characteristic medieval attire, compete in agility and accuracy. A very impressive sight, it seems that you have really been transported back in time! But in Montepulciano there is another fun thing - every last Sunday in August the city hosts a race with huge wooden barrels.. Why? A tribute to tradition – the city has been famous for its excellent wine for many centuries!




Safety. What to watch out for

My main advice regarding safety in Tuscany is to “be extremely careful with your personal belongings, money and documents.”

Unfortunately, this is a country that has a bad reputation, as theft is widespread here. Especially often such unpleasant incidents occur in cities where there are a large number of tourists. Florence is simply full of pickpockets! They are just waiting to guess the right moment (when the tourist is distracted by the next attraction) and not miss the opportunity to pull your wallet out of your bag or pocket!

I would advise you to be extremely careful and not leave your belongings unattended for even a minute!

Things to do

While in Tuscany, you definitely won’t get bored, since absolutely every day of your trip can be filled with various activities and entertaining entertainment!

Below you will find a selection of alternative options for what you can do “in your free time from museums” ;).

Extreme Sports

Tuscany provides a lot of opportunities for fans of extreme sports, for those who simply cannot live without adrenaline!


Here are some of them:

  • Skydiving and paragliding – provinces of Luca and Arezzo (from 150 EUR);

  • Rafting – Arno River (from 50 EUR);
  • Motofreestyle – Florence (from 100 EUR);
  • Rock climbing - provinces and communes: Monte Argentario, Grosseto, Arezzo, Elba Island (from 60 EUR);
  • Diving – Tuscan Archipelago (from 40 EUR);

  • Surfing – Versilia zone (from 65 EUR).

*Prices are indicated for a one-time lesson with an instructor.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

Oh, this eternal dilemma: what to bring to others or yourself as a souvenir of your trip to Italy... There are many options, it’s impossible to list them all, let’s omit the “standard” refrigerator magnets, key rings and the like, and focus on what really matters worthwhile things, which can be brought from Tuscany.

As is tradition, I first offer a few food and drink items.

  • In my opinion, the most convenient (in terms of transportation) and typically Tuscan gift will be the famous macaroons, which are called Cantucci – Cantucci. It seems to me that this is one of the most recognizable Italian sweets, which is also very often served in restaurants along with coffee or digestivo (divestivo). The price of a 300 g package will start from 3 EUR.

  • “In vino veritas” = “The truth is in the wine”, and the truly Italian wine, which is on everyone’s lips, is Chianti. In my opinion, bringing a bottle of really good wine produced in the Tuscan Chianti Valley as a gift would be very good manners. Prices will vary; naturally, wine aged for many years will cost many times more (from 35 EUR onwards). But the most affordable wine in terms of price and quality will start from 9-10 EUR per bottle.

  • From Tuscany (in particular from Florence) you definitely need to travel leather products, which is of excellent quality and will serve you for many years. Every cent spent will truly be worth it! In the central Florentine markets you can find absolutely any accessory made in leather: wallet, case, belt, bag, etc. The price will vary depending on the size of the item and the complexity of the work performed.

  • Florentine paper and products made using it are also especially valued: notebooks, diaries, photo albums, postcards, envelopes. Not only are these pieces “little works of art” in themselves, but they will also last you a very long time (an unusual compliment for paper, right?) because they are made from thick, high-quality material. The price will also vary depending on the item you choose.

  • And now I would like to draw your attention to a souvenir that will not be practical, but will be an extremely warm memory of the Tuscany region. In my personal opinion, it is Pinocchio doll can always fill your heart with pleasant memories not only of your trip to Italy, but also of your childhood... remember, for example, Tolstoy’s mischievous Pinocchio, which is a Russian adapted version of Pinocchio! It is important to say that Carlo Collodi, who created this wonderful character, was from Tuscany, so the “wooden boy” also has Tuscan roots;) The price asked for such a souvenir varies: from 5-6 EUR to hundreds of EUR , if the craftsman performed the finest work.

Shopping and shops

And shopping – for tourists these are two inseparable things!

I would like to note that Florence is the birthplace of five Italian fashion houses that have gained worldwide fame: Salvatore Ferragamo, Roberto Cavalli, Gucci, Emilio Pucci, Ermanno Scervino. Trust me: the luxury shopping here is amazing!

Of course, in addition to luxury brands, the city also has stores from the “mass-market” and “no name” sectors. But you can read about this in an article dedicated specifically, where the range of stores and the main shopping streets of the city are described in great detail.

I would like to focus your attention on the most profitable type of shopping - outlet shopping. We can say that the outlet is the intersection point where the quality of the best brands in the world is combined with a fairly affordable and pleasant price. This is explained by the fact that such places usually display collections from previous seasons, and this fact greatly reduces the price tag for branded items.

Below is a list of the main outlets located in the Tuscany region. In them you will find the entire range of stores represented on the Italian market of world brands “for different wallets”.

  • The Mall Via Europa 8, 50066 Lecchio, Reggello
  • Barberino Designer Outlet Via Meucci, 50031, Barberino di Mugello
  • Valdichiana Outlet Village Localita Farmiole 2, 52045 Foiano Delta Chiana

Bars

In my opinion, the typical type of establishment of this kind in Tuscany is wine bars or “vineria”, each of which has a separate “enoteca” - storage for wines that are already bottled.

Usually such “wine places” are located in small, narrow streets, which gives the place a special atmosphere of comfort, tranquility, warmth and “lampiness”. It is in such places that you want to hide and take refuge from the daily bustle of the city, from crowds of tourists, and escape from reality. The moment you sit in one of these places in pleasant company with a glass of wine and appetizers served with your aperitif, time stops. And nothing else exists: no problems, no worries, no worries. Such places are pure magic that cannot be expressed in words. In order to understand these emotions, you need to allow yourself such a “small, but quite affordable luxury” at least once in your life.



Let me give you a few examples:

  • Enoteca Sei Divino! Borgo Ognissanti 42 | Angolo Via Del Porcellana, Florence
  • Enoteca DiVinorum. Piazza della Cisterna 30 | Via degli Innocenti, 5, San Gimignano
  • Enoteca La Dolce Vita. Vicolo di Voltaia Nel Corso 80/82, Montepulciano
  • Casa Porciatti - Enoteca & Wine Bar. Piazza IV Novembre 1-2-3, Radda in Chianti
  • La Nicchia Winebar Enoteca Bistrot. Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci 34/r, Florence

Clubs and nightlife

But with discos and nightclubs, in my subjective opinion, things are sadder in Tuscany.

In order to have fun in a nightclub, you are better off either heading to the coast (in the summer season there are often beach parties) or going to Florence. There is a greater choice of discos, nightclubs and bars where you can dance.

  • Flo Lounge Bar. There is no special dress code; the cost of entry is included in the price of a drink (from 10 EUR) or table reservation (from 20 EUR).

Address: Viale Michelangiolo, 82, Firenze
  • Blanco Beach Bar. There is no special dress code, and the cost of entry and table reservations must be clarified by phone (may vary depending on the day of the week). The price for a drink starts from 10 EUR.

Address: Viale Generale dalla Chiesa 11, Firenze

They usually attract the most people, as “theme parties” are often held.

Tuscany - holidays with children

When you travel with your family, the question always arises: how to make your vacation so that everyone is comfortable and interesting.

Personally, I am not familiar with a huge number of children for whom a trip to the average museum (which is not adapted for children) causes wild delight. But I have met a lot of children in my life who like rides, water slides and ice cream ;). And even adults... because I consider myself and my friends exactly in the category of “adult children”, especially when it comes to a trip to an amusement park or water park! This type of spending free time, in my opinion, is a compromise - it is interesting and fun not only for children, but also for “adult children”.

Such theme parks are also located in Tuscany, or more precisely in the province of Livorno. I previously categorized this area as a “beach family vacation.”



Two more wonderful theme parks are located in the province of Grosseto (Follonica) and in the province of Lucca (Colodi): But we are interested in the “tourist division”, which I would conditionally divide into the following areas.

Main tourist centers of the Tuscany region

Florence, Siena, Arezzo, Grosseto, Casentino, Cortona, Volterra, Montalcino, Livorno, Lucca, Pistoia, San Gimignano, Pienza, Montepulciano... The list goes on.

It is in these cities that the main attractions of the Middle Ages and Italian Renaissance are located (some of them are marked on the map).


Tuscan valleys, hills and plains

The most famous of them are: Val d'Orcia, Chianti Valley, Metalliferous Hills, Pisa Hills.

  • Mountain ranges. The most important of them include: Apennines, Apuan Alps, Alps in the province of Arezzo, mountain ranges in the provinces of Siena and Grosseto.

  • Coast of Tuscany. There are a large number of famous resort towns on the coast of the Tuscan Riviera. Examples would be: Livorno, Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi, Piombino, Punta Ala and many others.
  • Tuscan archipelago. This includes 7 large islands and a huge number of small islands and rocks.

  • Tuscan thermal springs. The standard of quality here are cities such as Montecatini Terme, Chianciano Terme, Monsummano Terme, Casciana Terme, Terme di Santuria.

There is simply an insane amount of information - the region is very rich in attractions, both man-made and natural. Therefore, I will try to reveal each of these areas in more detail during the article.

Features of mentality

The Italian mentality is a separate story that can be told to children instead of a fairy tale; there are too many quirks hidden here. Even after I have lived here for a certain amount of time, Italians continue to surprise me with some of their features that still seem “overseas”. But there is nothing to do - you have to adapt!

I would like to tell you in more detail about the special daily routine and the flow of everyday life in Italy.

The daily routine is completely subordinated to meals, where lunch is the dividing line. The Italian’s head works this way: I’ll have time to do what I have time to do, but I can’t put off or skip lunch, because it’s sacred! Therefore, do not be surprised that in the period from 12:00 to 14:00 everything in the city dies out.

After lunch, you definitely need to rest a little, otherwise the work won’t go further. Dinner in Italy is late, usually restaurants begin to open at 18:00 (the rest of the time - except lunch - they are closed), and the peak of their work begins at 20:00. Accordingly, they finish eating already at 22:00-23:00, so postponing something until “after dinner” is a bad idea, because the evening is created for dinner and relaxation after dinner...

Due to the fact that the evening meal is usually plentiful: first (pasta) and second (meat or fish dishes), sometimes this whole thing is accompanied by appetizers and dessert, Italians don’t really feel like eating in the morning. Therefore, the traditional Italian breakfast seems strange to us, accustomed to cereals and sandwiches. If an Italian has breakfast at home, he drinks coffee and cookies, but usually they have breakfast outside the home. Italians order a cup of coffee, freshly squeezed juice and take a croissant or other pastries, which usually costs 3-4 EUR. In Moscow, for such “funny money” you definitely won’t have such a delicious breakfast in a cafe...


As for the flow of the working week, you need to be extremely attentive to the schedules of shops, supermarkets and pharmacies. On weekends, everything opens later than on weekdays, if it opens... For example, Sunday in Italy can turn into a real quest to find a working supermarket or pharmacy, because usually everything is closed. There are rare exceptions: there are a number of shops that are open until 12:00, but even rarer are supermarkets that are open all day (usually large supermarkets that are already outside the city center, for example, Lidl, always open on Sundays). I’m simply silent about shops that are open 24 hours a day; they either don’t exist at all, or they are such an “endangered species” that there are only 1 or 2 of them in the whole city. But in this case, there is always salvation: small shops/shops run by the Chinese or Pakistanis, who have a different mentality from the Italians and are ready (or forced) to work 24/7. These are the ways out of a “hopeless situation” and ways to adapt to the “Italian mentality” ;).


You can also refer to my article about the region, where I also write about some of the features of the Italian mentality.

5 must-do things in this region

Summing up our introductory trip to the amazing region of Tuscany, I would like to present you with a list of 5 things that, in my opinion, simply need to be done in this region! Otherwise, you cannot say that you have seen Tuscany:


How to get around the region

We have already partially touched on this topic during the article in different sections, let’s clarify the remaining details.

Let's return to the discussion of ways to travel around the Tuscan archipelago.

There are few companies that deal with this specific area, and the prices are sometimes inflated (especially in comparison with the buses and trains we are used to). Therefore, it is always better to check the tariffs for certain types of transportation directly on the maritime operator’s website. Prices start from 15 EUR per one-way ticket per person.

The main maritime operators are:

  1. Toremar
  2. Moby Lines
  3. Blue Navy
  4. Corsica-Sardinia Ferries

Ferries usually depart from the town of Piombino Marittima and arrive at the island of Elba.

Taxi. What features exist

In my subjective opinion, taxis in Italy are “not suitable for regular use” because the prices are relatively high. In Tuscany, in different cities in the region (and in the country as a whole), the price tag is approximately the same. One trip around the city can cost you 12-20 EUR. The exception is trips to various airports; usually this route has a fixed cost.


The price for a standard trip may vary depending on certain indicators that are monitored by a meter installed in the car: travel time and the distance covered between the necessary points. Sometimes the counter calculates the final total based on only one indicator, sometimes based on two (this varies from taxi to taxi). There is also a different “starting fare” when boarding a passenger; it can vary depending on the city and time of day (evening and night trips are more expensive).

If you do not have cash with you, then there is an option to pay for the trip with a credit card. But this becomes possible only if the taxi has a POS payment terminal installed. Therefore, it is always better to clarify this detail in advance before starting your trip.

Public transport

The most easily accessible public means of transport in the Tuscany region are the train and bus.

I already wrote about the features of these types of transport at the very beginning of the article, when I talked about how you can get to the Tuscany region.

Costs for travel within the region may vary. Basically it all depends on the distance between the points of departure and destination. For example, a bus from Florence to Siena will cost 7.80 EUR. But a train trip from Florence to Prato will cost only 2.60 EUR.

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Tuscany is one of the most picturesque areas, replete with green hills and majestic mountain peaks Apennine Alps. A significant part of its territory is washed by the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, and the flat terrain, from the city of Arezzo to the famous Florence, is cut by the Arno River. In addition to amazing natural landscapes, the region has a huge number of unique architectural attractions that are of enormous historical significance for the whole of Europe, annually attracting the attention of a large army of tourists.

Peculiarities

Tuscany includes 10 provinces, each of which has its own capital of the same name. Among the most famous are Livorno, Florence, Pisa and Siena, where the most important sites of the historical heritage of Italy are concentrated. In addition to them, there are the provinces of Arezzo, Grosseto, Lucca, Massa Carrara, Pistoia and Prato. The main economic sectors in the region are tourism, livestock farming, agriculture, food, chemical, metallurgical, petrochemical and textile industries. Winemaking is also excellently developed in the region, thanks to which Italian wines have such a high reputation throughout the world. One of the main advantages of Tuscany is its history. It was here that such outstanding personalities from the world of architecture, painting and literature as Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Dante Alighieri were born. It was in this region that the formation of the Italian Renaissance took place, and the Renaissance received a serious impetus for further cultural and ideological perfection in various European powers.

general information

The territory of Tuscany covers an area of ​​almost 23,000 square meters. km, with a population of over 3.5 million people. It is curious that the number of communes is relatively small and is limited to 287. Local time lags behind Moscow by 1 hour in summer and 2 in winter. Time zone UTC+1 and UTC+2 in the summer. Official website of the region www.regione.toscana.it.

A brief excursion into history

Before the arrival of the Romans, the Etruscan civilization flourished in the lands of Tuscany, during which agriculture actively developed here, mining was established, and craftsmanship was improved. Having conquered the territory from the Etruscans, the Romans did not radically change anything, preferring the assimilation of Etruscan culture to destruction. Thus, the region continued to develop, gradually gaining a reputation as one of the most successful and prosperous areas of the empire. The fall of Rome was marked for Tuscany by massive barbarian raids and conquests by the Lombards. Over the centuries, power in these lands changed, until in 1860, together with Modena and Romagna, the region became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which later became a unified Italian state. Tuscany, with cities such as Florence, Pisa and Siena, after hundreds of years, invariably remains for many the cultural capital of Italy, having a whole scattering of unique historical sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Climate

The region is dominated by a mild Mediterranean climate with warm winter and hot summer. The average air temperature here in the winter months is about +8 degrees, while in the summer, the thermometer consistently exceeds +25, often exceeding +30. Precipitation occurs mainly from November to March, while summer is dry and sunny. At the resorts, the season begins in May and ends only in October.

How to get there

The largest international airports are located in 3 cities in the region: Pisa, Florence and Grosseto. There are train and bus connections between all settlements in Tuscany. The ports are connected to each other by ferries, boats and yachts. The highways are of very good quality, and there are car and bicycle rentals almost everywhere.

Transport

Within the city limits, buses and minibuses are the most common.

Main cities

The elegant city on the Arno River serves as the economic and cultural capital of the region. This unique city-museum was once the center of the Florentine Republic and gave the world a galaxy of talented people who turned Italy into one of the most beautiful countries on the planet. Numerous squares, palaces and bridges are combined here with exquisite domes of ancient temples, museums and low houses with burgundy roofs, standing along narrow streets, enveloped in the veil of the Middle Ages, reflected in the paintings of Leonardo Da Vinci and the sculptures of Michelangelo di Buonarroti. Another outstanding example of the Italian Renaissance is the magnificent city, with its legendary Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli - Square of Miracles. The famous city is famous for its canals and aristocratic villas, and, once the financial and commercial center of Europe, at one time it was also Florence’s main competitor for the title of cultural capital of Tuscany. The second largest city in the region is Prato, famous for its ancient monuments, including St. Stephen's Cathedral and the medieval Castle of Frederick II of Hohenstaufen. There are many other beautiful cities in the region, each of which is good in its own way.

Major resorts

The famous beach, famous for its excellent wide sandy beaches and developed infrastructure, also receives great attention from guests of Tuscany. The main attributes of the local resorts are comfortable hotels, dense green areas with varied vegetation, numerous discos, bars and culinary establishments. Much attention is paid to the entertainment industry, sports and family vacations, which include special programs for children. Among the most popular resorts are Viareggio, Marina di Carrara, Follonica, Castiglione della Pescaia, Punta Ala, Porto Ercole, Porto Santo Stefano and Forte dei Marmi. is one of the oldest balneological resorts in Italy; famous thermal resorts in Italy are also located in the region. The coastline is extremely picturesque and abundant majestic rocks, harmoniously blending into the surrounding landscapes and complemented by the grace of the Mediterranean flora and fauna.

Attractions and entertainment

The outstanding architectural monuments of Tuscany can be listed endlessly. The cathedral and with the masterpieces of Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael, the ancient fortresses and picturesque canals of the city of Livorno, the cathedral complex in Piazza dei Miracoli and the Opera del Duomo museum in, Piazza del Campo and the famous Fountain of Joy in, St. Stephen's Cathedral and country residence The Medici in Prato and the ancient fortress walls are just a small part of the architectural heritage of the region, which is the pride of the whole city. To visit at least half of the most interesting places in Tuscany, you need to stay here for at least a month.

Kitchen

Among the most famous culinary creations of the region is the dish “bistecca fiorentina”, consisting of beef and all kinds of spices, fried over wooden firewood. Combined with fresh olive oil and Tuscan bread, it has an extraordinary taste. No less popular in local restaurants are antipasto toscano ham, primo soup, and panzanella bread and tomato salad. When preparing certain dishes, local craftsmen pay great attention to olive oil, cheese, fruit mixtures, spices and herbs. At the same time, the mixture of some ingredients is sometimes amazing, but the final product invariably exceeds all expectations. Of course, no Italian cuisine is complete without national wines and dessert, especially since the fame of Tuscan wines and sweets has long spread far beyond Italy.

Shopping

Expensive purchases, including jewelry, jewelry and luxury perfumes, are best done in the larger cities of Tuscany, such as Florence, Prato or Pisa, where the choice is extremely wide. Souvenir products are equally fully represented in all settlements and resorts of the region. The quality of goods is almost never in doubt, but prices sometimes exceed all imaginable limits, which, however, is quite natural, given the general standard of living in the country.

Tuscany is one of the best tourist destinations for a holiday in. There is absolutely everything here to satisfy a wide variety of desires. Beautiful nature, an abundance of unique attractions, rich traditions and classic Italian hospitality, combined with a bright sunny climate and excellent beach resorts, are the indispensable features of this region, so beloved by many travelers from around the world.

Tuscany is amazing and beautiful corner Italy, attracting a huge number of tourists from all over the world every year. Tuscany is famous for its rich nature combined with famous architectural landmarks, which are a valuable historical heritage for the whole of Europe.

Most of Tuscany is washed by the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, and the famous Florence from the city of Arezzo can be reached along the Arno River.

Tuscany on the map of Italy

The total area of ​​Tuscany is 23,000 square meters. km, and the population exceeds 3.5 million people. In this regard, it is interesting that the number of communes here is not particularly small. The difference with Moscow time is 2 hours in summer and 3 in winter. More detailed information can be obtained on the official website of the region www.regione.toscana.it.

General information and interesting features

Tuscany consists of 10 provinces, each of which has its own capital of the same name. The most famous provinces of the region are Florence, Siena, Livorno. It is here that you can get a broad understanding of the cultural life and historical past of Italy. The most important areas of the economy are: the tourism sector, livestock farming, agriculture, petrochemical and textile industries. In addition, winemaking is well developed here. No wonder Italian wines are very popular on the world market. The history of Tuscany is of particular importance for the whole of Europe. Such world-famous personalities as Michelangelo, Dante Alighieri, Leonardo da Vinci were born and worked in this amazing region of Italy. And it was here that the Renaissance began.

Main cities of Tuscany

The capital of the region is rightfully considered the magnificent Florence, located on the Arno River. This beautiful city with a rich history has given the world many truly great names, becoming an honored cultural center of the country. Many people associate Italy with the beautiful Florence, its inimitable squares, exquisite palaces, ancient temples and many museums located on the wonderful narrow streets of the city. This atmosphere of the Middle Ages is perfectly conveyed in the sculptures of the world-famous Michelangelo Buonarroti and in the paintings of the legendary Leonardo da Vinci.

Another prototype of the Italian Renaissance is the city of Pisa, famous for its main attraction - the Square of Miracles (Piazza dei Miracoli). Another city of Tuscany, the famous Livorno, is popular in the world for its canals and luxurious villas, while Siena is known in the past as an outstanding shopping mall Europe and the main competitor of Florence for the right to be called the best cultural center of Tuscany.
The city of Prato, famous for its valuable historical monuments, is the second largest in the entire region. In the city you can admire architectural masterpieces St. Stephen's Cathedral and the castle of Frederick II of Hohenstaufen, preserved from the Middle Ages. Tuscany is also famous for other the most beautiful cities, in each of which there are sure to be unique places of historical memory.

Tuscany for tourists

Having rested at least once in one of the resorts in Tuscany, you will definitely want to come back here again. The Tyrrhenian coast and the famous Tuscan Riviera are perhaps the most popular among tourists all over the world. Spacious, well-equipped beaches, comfortable rooms hotels, rich nature, a wide choice of entertainment both during the day and at night, as well as the culinary delights of restaurant chefs will not leave anyone indifferent. Much attention is paid here to children's sports games. Therefore, when you come on vacation with your family, you can be sure that your child will spend time with health benefits.

Particularly popular are such Tuscan resorts as Follonica, Punta Ala, Porto Santo Stefano, Marina di Carrara and. There are also thermal and balneological resorts offering guests all kinds of wellness treatments. The striking beauty of the rock combined with unusual flora and fauna harmoniously complete the picture.

The best time for a holiday in the region is from May to the end of October. During this period, the optimum air temperature and minimal probability of precipitation are observed here. The average air temperature in summer usually exceeds +25, and in winter the temperature fluctuates around +9. Tuscany has a mild Mediterranean climate with moderate temperatures in the summer and winter months.

How to get there

You can get to Tuscany by plane, landing in one of its major cities: Florence (code FLR), Pisa (PSA) or Grosseto (GPS). From here, tourists can usually take a ferry or boat to one of the resorts in Tuscany. There are good car roads, there is car and bicycle rental. In the cities themselves, you can easily travel by minibus or bus. You can stay in one of the wonderful hotels in the Tuscany region.

The main attractions of Tuscany

Of course, Tuscany is famous for its architectural monuments that have gone down in history forever. These include numerous cathedrals, temples, stunning galleries of Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael in Florence, and amazing medieval fortresses, huge squares and cathedral complexes. The legendary Opera del Duomo Museum in Pisa and the famous Fountain of Joy in Siena will leave indelible memories. And this is just a small part of the places that are worth visiting while on vacation in this picturesque region of Italy.

Tuscan cuisine

If you decide to relax in one of the cities of Tuscany, then cuisine is an essential part of your vacation. The most famous dish that you will definitely be offered in local restaurants is called “bistecca fiorentina”. It consists of beef, skillfully fried over wood, with the addition of many spices. This dish goes very well with olive oil and special Tuscan bread. In addition, you will probably be offered the national soup “primo” and a salad consisting of pieces of tomato and bread called “panzanella”. Olive oil, various types of cheese and spices are especially held in high esteem here and are produced with special diligence. Sometimes you can’t help but be surprised to learn how strange combinations of products local chefs use, but the end result is always beyond any praise. Of course, an integral part of any complete Italian lunch or dinner is the famous Italian wine and dessert.

Shopping in Tuscany

When buying souvenirs, you will probably be surprised by the high prices. However, the quality and originality of the goods here are always at the highest level, so you shouldn’t be surprised. If you decide to purchase something more serious, for example, jewelry or an exquisite perfume, then it would be wiser to do this in a more famous cities regions such as Florence or Pisa, where you will find many boutiques and shops at your disposal.

A little history

Even during the Etruscan era, long before the arrival of the Romans, the development of agriculture, crafts, and mining began on the lands of the Tuscany region. With the arrival of the Romans on the territory, this thread of development was not broken. Over time, Tuscany gradually became an increasingly successful and prosperous region of the empire. With the collapse of Rome, mass unrest began in Tuscany. Over the course of several centuries, the power here was constantly changing. It was not until 1860 that the region was recognized as part of Italy.

In our time, Tuscany continues to develop, remaining a thriving region of Italy, an interesting cultural center, offering tourists unique historical masterpieces that were rightfully included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Tuscany today is one of the most popular tourist routes. Visitors are offered a first-class holiday with all modern amenities and a wide selection of entertainment and excursions. Mild climate, clean beaches and bright nature will allow you to relax and put your body and thoughts in order. This is why Tuscany is so loved by so many foreigners.

Province of Tuscany (Italian) Toscana) is a wonderful and elegant gift for any traveler to Italy. The diversity of landscapes, seasoned with cultural heritage, makes this region one of the most beloved holiday destinations.

If we look for Tuscany on a map of Italy, we can easily find it on the top of the Italian “boot” approximately in the middle. It is bordered by the low mountains of Umbria and Marche, Emilia-Romagna in the northeast, the steep Alps of Liguria in the northwest and warm waters in the west.

How to get to the cities of Tuscany?

By air

Undoubtedly, one of the fastest ways to get to the cities of Tuscany is by plane. You can fly direct flights to the international airports of Florence and Pisa. They are the least busy, but unfortunately, this is not possible from all cities of the CIS countries.

By car

To reach Arezzo or Florence by car, you need to take the A1 motorway, which passes through Naples, Milan, Rome and Bologna. And on the Superstrada SS 3bis/E45 you can get from Romagna and Umbria to the eastern provinces of the region. The A11 motorway connects the Tuscan coast with the cities of Prato, Florence, and Pistoia. Lucca and Montecatini Terme.

Do you want to have freedom of movement and not depend on anyone? Find out how to remove it as well as other important details.

If you have time and want to get a visa to Italy on your own, read this link for an article with interesting information about this.

When is the best time to go?

Whenever you come to Tuscany, its mild climate without sudden changes will be a pleasant bonus.

Even in winter, the temperature in the valleys does not drop below zero. Therefore, it is worth choosing a time for vacation not so much according to the season as focusing on the “load” of tourists and access to attractions.

Of course, each season has its advantages and disadvantages. So let's take a closer look at each.

  • Summer is not only the hottest season, and therefore very convenient for swimming, but also the busiest season with vacationers. It may be difficult to book a hotel or you may have to wait for several hours to get to places of worship.
  • In autumn it is much freer and easier. There are not so many tourists anymore, and the weather still allows comfortable swimming (until the end of October). In September-October, almost all of Tuscania is ablaze with blooming sunflowers. November is great for cultural treks, although occasionally you may get caught in warm rain.
  • Winter, despite being somewhat cool and rainy, is interesting for its Christmas and New Year festivals and holidays. During this quiet time, you can freely visit sights such as the Uffizi Gallery without an appointment.
  • Spring temperatures average 17-20 degrees, but the sea will warm its waters only by the end of May. In spring, the fields are literally covered with poppies, and crowds of tourists have not yet filled the cities.

Where is the best place to relax in Tuscany?

Tuscany is divided into 10 provinces (Arezzo, Grosseto, Livorno, Lucca, Massa Carrara, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato, Siena,), which bear the names of their administrative centers (see map of Tuscany).

The largest province in terms of area (4504 km2) is Grosseto, and the leader in population density per square kilometer is the province of Prato (679.93). The province of Livorno includes the Tuscan archipelago, which is part of the National Park.

Absolutely all the provinces of Tuscany are impressive and leave pleasant memories, but we will still highlight the main places of “pilgrimage” by type of recreation.

Beach holidays are popular in the provinces of Grosseto, Pisa, Lucca, and Livorno. Along a coastline over 390 km long. There are numerous resort towns scattered with different pricing policies. The most popular of them is the resort of Versilia, another name for the Tuscan Riviera, but prices here are above average. Along with Versilia, such Tuscan resorts as Monte Argentario, Castiglione della Pescaia, Principina and Follonica are popular.

For family vacation The resort town of Marina di Grosseto in the province of Grosseto is most suitable for children. Here, gently sloping sandy beaches and pine forests are complemented by water attractions and other entertainment complexes.

Shops in Tuscany are usually open from 9.00-13.00 (occasionally 14.00) or from 16.00-19.00 (sometimes 20.00). Although large outlets are open all day. Most people have a day off on Monday. Night trading takes place every Thursday.

To get a virtual tour of one of the most popular Barberino Designer Outlets, watch a video about it.

Photos of Tuscany

Look at the photos of Tuscany and see that this is one of the most beautiful regions of Italy.

Panorama of Florence Sculpture of Dante Alighieri (Florence)