Tuscany is a distinctive region of Italy perfect for all manner of holidays, with so many sites and places to see holidays in Tuscany are a truly enjoyable experience. Historical monuments are at every turn and for those with a love of the arts Tuscany has many attractions to fulfil your artistic needs. With rustic villages giving a unique view of country life and great cuisine and wine the region can be described as quintessentially Italian.
Most holidays in Tuscany will include a visit to Florence, as one of the art and renaissance architecture centres of the world, an enthralling experience is guaranteed. The famous Piazza Della Signoria is visited by many people on holidays, subsequently it is bustling and manic but is a vital component of any itinerary. With fine medieval buildings surrounding the square it is little wonder that so many tourists visit this part of Tuscany. The art galleries of Florence hold some of the seminal works of the renaissance period, paintings from great artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael are all present in the city and can be considered a must see for all discerning art lovers.
Siena should also form a part of the majority of holidays in Tuscany, a hill town that is full of medieval architecture; it has an enormous fan-shaped piazza. The town also holds a horse race annually that is one of the major festivals in Tuscany. Lying in the centre of the Chianti region, wine tasting is a pursuit that should be undertaken by all on holidays near this fascinating city. The surrounding countryside of Siena is unique and beautiful, small villages dot the hillsides with striking clay hills walling the shallow valleys.
For those on holidays in Tuscany an underdeveloped tourist attraction is San Gimignano, known colloquially as the city of towers it has fourteen surviving towers from the medieval period. This is quite a feat when considering the other cities in Tuscany that have lost the majority of their towers through wars and natural disasters. Along with the awesome towers of varying heights there are many fabulous churches that allow the traveller to step back in time and get a grasp of life in medieval Italy.
The city of Lucca is perfect for holidays, once again, as with much of Tuscany the architecture is heavily medieval. It lies close to the coast so family holidays are a real possibility with such a short drive to the beach. The city itself is famed for its walls, the majority of which are still intact despite the city expanding beyond their curtain. Once for military purposes, the walls now offer the tourists the chance to promenade along their tops to gain unique views of this historical city.
As stated before, Tuscany is the heart of the Chianti wine making region; easily the most famous of all Italian wines all holidays in Tuscany should include a tasting experience at one of the many vineyards. The cost of the wine varies greatly from low end bottles to rather expensive premier vintages, you do not however have to spend a fortune to enjoy the wine, low end bottles are of remarkable quality considering their price and make the perfect accompaniment to the cuisine of the region.
Holidays in Tuscany are full of unique experiences that you will be pushed to find anywhere else in the world. The renaissance style of Florence and its accompanying artwork makes it a cultural capital while the smaller cities offer an insight into the turbulent past of this region of Italy. History surrounds you at all times and amazes all comers. With fine wines to choose from and some unique cuisine all travellers will leave Tuscany satisfied, relaxed and recuperated.
