Tuscany (Toscana)
Tuscany is worldwide one of the most popular holiday regions in Italy. The landscape of Tuscany is world-famous as a photograph. With their yellow rapeseed fields, lonely mansions on hills whose driveway is lined with cypresses. There is the charming image of the lonely stone house in a large flowering meadow surrounded by cypresses and chirping crickets. The image is not missing from any illustrated book or wall calendar of Italy. And in spring, the yellow rapeseed blooms. In addition, there are the shady pine forests that are preserved along the beaches. The fully fruity wine and the island of Elba are also known. For some time, the island of Giglio has also gained sad notoriety after a bemused captain had a cruise ship grounded off the island.
And in fact, Tuscany has everything to offer in terms of scenic, cultural and culinary experiences. Everything that makes a holiday in Italy relaxing and exciting at the same time. In the rolling hills of the Chianti wine-growing region, the noble wine thrives particularly well, which optimally complements the Fiorentina, a fine T-bone steak. And on the wide sandy beaches of the Versilia coast, the whole family gets on their enjoyment. Find out what to do in Tuscany during your holidays.
Tuscany is internationally known for its pretty medieval towns and its wealth of art. Discover with us the best places to visit in Tuscany.
Best Places to Visit in Tuscany
Tuscan Riviera
The coastal landscape is divided into Versilia Coast, Etruscan Riviera and to the south the Maremma coast.
Long tempered summers, short winters in the protection of the Apuan Alps, a clean Mediterranean sea, and beautiful wide sandy beaches.
All this, along with the Italian flair and Mediterranean cuisine, attract sun lovers every year. The coasts of Tuscany are well maintained, colourful parasols shine everywhere and invite the sun hungry. Showers, changing rooms, beach bars, and bocce fields are standard.
The Versilia Coast is not for small purses, the tenants collect for the parasol and lounge chairs very well. In some cases, the parasols are equipped with cooling boxes right on the beach.
For this, it is a pure holiday. You can practice the “dolce far niente”, the sweetness of doing nothing and enjoying the sun and sea. Seeing and being seen, this is what to do in Tuscany.
The numerous restaurants offer mainly the treasures of the sea, miles of beach promenades with small boutiques, ice cream parlors, bars, and all kinds of entertainment offer fun and pastime for all tastes.
Wine-growing regions
Driving through the hills of Tuscany, you may be moving along one of the region’s 14 wine roads, where you can pass numerous wine producers and wine cellars.
Tuscan Islands
Elba Island
The island of Elba has retained a gentle tourism, slow tourism is the motto. Steep rocks over crystal clear sea, natural landscapes and romantic mountain villages are a paradise for trekking. Divers will find a fascinating underwater world in magnificent bays, and horse lovers wooded trails for a horseback ride.
Giglio Island
The island of Giglio is the second largest in Tuscany after Elba. The highest point protrudes 496m out of the sea. Especially among divers, the island of Giglio is sought after with its colorful sea creatures and large fish.
In order to protect both islands from too much a rush to visit visitors and tour groups, an island fee has been introduced, which must be paid on arrival.
Marble mining at Carrara
Only a few kilometres from the tourist hustle and bustle of the beaches there is still a very simple life in the small villages of the marble workers.
If you are planning a holiday in Tuscany or Liguria, you should take two days to get to know the history and mining sites of the famous white marble from which artists such as Michelangelo created their artworks carved for eternity, such as The David in Florence, the Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica and the unfinished Dom Sant ‘Andrea Apostolo in Carrara.