The 7 best things to do (and visit) during your vacation in Tuscany

The most beautiful places to visit during a vacation in Tuscany

Tuscany is commonly considered the jewel of Italy. Located on the west coast of Italy, by the Tyrrhenian Sea, it is the most popular and beautiful holiday destination for those who decide to travel to Italy and discover Italian beauty.

Tuscany is well known all over the world for its unique country landscapes, the Tuscan hills with their unique cypress trees. In Tuscany, you can also taste true Italian food and discover one of the most famous wines in the world: Chianti.

Tuscany is also rich in art and history, and masterpieces of architecture can be discovered in every Tuscan city. The provinces of Siena and Lucca are full of medieval towns, where you can also find many fortresses and castles. Firenze and Pisa are rich in history and Renaissance monuments, with the most beautiful churches in Italy: the Florence Duomo and the Pisa Duomo, famous for its leaning tower.

There is so much for tourists to see and do in Tuscany, yet there is not enough time to do it all. To make the most of your vacation in Italy, we will list the top 7 things to visit and do during your vacation in Tuscany.

1) Visit Pisa and Discover the city (and its Leaning Tower)

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is probably the most famous (and most photographed) Italian monument, after the Colosseum in Rome. But Pisa is more than its leaning tower. Pisa is an international city, well organized to receive tourists from all over the world. Pisa is well connected with the rest of the Tuscan cities, with local means of transport and private transfers, and with the rest of the world, thanks to its International Airport, so this town is probably the best option if you are looking for a town to stay in. for your vacation

The historic center of Pisa is also rich in monuments and history, which you can easily discover with a guided walking tour in Pisa that ends with a visit to Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) where you can admire the Pisa Duomo, with its leaning tower and the impressive baptistery of San Juan.

2) Wine tasting in the Chianti region

The most fashionable place to have an exclusive wine tasting experience is without a doubt the Chianti area, which is very famous for its world famous red wines.

A wine tour in the Chianti area will allow you to discover beautiful villages surrounded by vineyards and olive trees. In these towns, you can taste Tuscan and Super Tuscan wines directly at the local wineries. here you can find authentic Italian wines that you cannot find anywhere else because the local productions are limited in quantity and you can only taste them by going there.

In summer, the wine tasting is organized directly in the vineyards, under the Tuscan sun.

3) Visit Lucca: a leap back in Tuscan history

Lucca is another popular place to visit in Tuscany. Here you can see medieval buildings and many churches that are just amazing. The Roman amphitheater located in Lucca is approximately 1900 years old and is obviously worth a visit. The city center is completely surrounded by a brick wall that was erected in the 16th century, and you can walk along the top of the wall, which is about 4 km. Lucca is believed to have some of the best food in Tuscany, such as Tortelli Lucchesi. Tortelli Lucchesi is a handmade pasta that is filled with seasoned meat and a very meaty ragu that is extremely rich in flavour.

4) Discover Siena, the city of the Palio

Siena is one of the most popular and visited cities in Tuscany, a place extremely rich in history and medieval art. It is famous for its Palio di Siena which takes place twice every summer in the famous Piazza del Campo. The historic center of Siena, also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is built around this square, which was conceived as a work of art in perfect harmony with the surrounding hillside.

Siena is also famous for its characteristic avenues and narrow alleys, flanked by brick buildings. If you are in good health and fit, then it is a good idea to climb to the top of Siena’s tall bell tower and enjoy extraordinary views of the city. . and the Piazza Del Campo below. The people of Siena are very welcoming and in this town you can breathe the authentic Italian atmosphere.

During a tour in Siena, you cannot miss the opportunity to visit a small nearby town: San Gimignano, also known as the “Renaissance Manhattan” for its 13 medieval towers.

5) Discovering Montalcino, the birthplace of Brunello wine

The medieval town of Montalcino has become famous throughout the world for its famous wine, the “Brunello di Montalcino”.

Montalcino is built on top of a hill, and high above the town, there is a medieval fortress that has pentagonal design walls designed by Sienese architects Mono Foresi and Domenico di Feo.

Walking the narrow cobblestone streets of its downtown area, one can see a plethora of “enoteca” (wine warehouse) and local wineries, claiming that this is the hometown of Tuscan Wines.

Obviously, you can’t visit Montalcino without a wine tasting experience, which should also include tasting local foods like cheeses and cured meats. An expert local guide can allow you to visit only the best wineries in the city.

6) Discover Volterra, one of the Most Interesting Towns in Tuscany

Volterra is a vibrant city located in the Pisa region, not far from Siena, Florence and the coast as well. Volterra is well known for its Etruscan origins and also for the many ruins that belong to that period, such as the wonderful Roman Theatre. High above the city, you can admire the Medici Fortress, a true masterpiece of medieval architecture. The mysterious atmosphere of Volterra has inspired the writer Stephanie Meyerthe in her famous novel “New Moon”, which was made into a film from the famous “Twilight” saga.

Volterra is also famous for its alabaster production, in fact on the way to the village you can admire those clay hills where there are many alabaster quarries. Alabaster is mainly used by local artisans to make beautiful handcrafted artifacts.

If you are looking for an unusual tour in Tuscany, you probably have to visit Volterra and discover all its beauties.

7) Visit Florence, the Heart of Tuscany

Last but not least, we have Florence, which is one of the main highlights of your visit to Tuscany.

You should spend at least several days touring the sights of Florence. There are many things to see and do in the capital of Tuscany.

In this town you can find Art, Museums, Churches, and also food, wines and Bella Vita (shopping streets, restaurants, coffee, disco). Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982, it is the best expression of Tuscan art, culture and lifestyle.

A guided tour in Florence can allow you to visit the most important places without wasting time. You can discover the historic center, the only Ponte Vecchio on the other side of the Arno river, you can visit the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery, where the original statue of David by Michelangelo is kept.

Every day trip in Florence should include a visit to the Florence Duomo, named after Santa Maria del Fiore.

A vacation to Florence is also a great opportunity to enjoy a hands-on cooking class, complete with wine tasting experience, while staying in a comfortable villa in the heart of Florence.

Please note that all of the Tuscan destinations listed above can be reached with a private shore excursion from Livorno cruise port