Tuscany

TUSCANY – WHY GO?

Tailor-made for a cultural odyssey, Tuscany can’t be beaten for its wealth of art treasures and history. It’s also bursting with vineyards and classic hillsides topped by graceful villas. This really is Italy with all its bells and whistles.

MUST SEE, MUST DO

Florence
(See our separate Florence guide). Florence dazzles with its glittering Renaissance jewels. The Duomo, Michelangelo’s David, the Uffizi museum – where you could spend days gazing at works by Michelangelo, Botticelli, Titian and Italy’s other grand masters – are just some of the treats awaiting here.

San Gimignano
A forest of towers pierces the skyline of San Gimignano, where you can take in the frescoed Duomo and have a wander through the town’s narrow streets.

Montepulciano
Crowning a hilltop with far-reaching views, Montepulciano is another must-see, with its high-sided 15th century streets and wonderful churches.

Siena
Siena is another cultural must, dominated by Tuscany’s tallest tower and another dazzling Duomo, not to mention the vast Il Campo piazza. This glorious square is the home of Torre del Mangia, and you can climb all 503 steps for an unmissable view of the city’s rose-coloured rooftops.

Cortona
Setting for the classic novel Under the Tuscan Sun, Cortona is a medieval gem with its winding streets, palazzi and piazzas. It also has a famous basilica and Etruscan tombs.

Montalcino
This is a must in any grand Tuscan tour. It's also the place to imbibe full-bodied local Brunello wines.

Lucca
Not far from Pisa, Lucca is a wonderful place to start or finish your Tuscan tour. The city walls are now a tree-lined esplanade, while the town itself is a picture of lovely squares and churches. It's an easy drive to check out Pisa and its famous leaning tower.

MAKE A DATE

February

Carnevale di Viareggio. Dress up and don a mask for Tuscany's version of Venice's famous festival.

June

Puccini Festival. Enjoy a feast of Italian opera at the festival town of Torre del Lago.

Giostra del Saracino. Medieval jousting gets underway in Arezzo, with teams of crusading knights and a procession.

July

Cantiere Internazionale dell’arte, Montepulciano. There's a packed programme of ballet, theatre and classical music.

Umbria Jazz Festival, Perugia. A must on the music calendar, and an easy drive from southern Tuscany.

Festa di San Paolino, Lucca. Don't miss the torchlit parade, when players in period costume honour the city's patron saint.

Early July and mid August

The Palio. Siena’s world-famous horse race gets underway, with steeds thundering through the streets in a chaotic mix of entertainment and nail-biting drama.

August

Tuscan Sun Festival, Cortona. This is one of Italy's most prestigious cultural events and one of the top arts festivals in Europe. Don't miss the open air evening concerts in Piazza Signorelli.

Bravio delle Botti, Montepulciano. You’ll get a barrel of laughs at the Bravio wine barrel race – a custom dating back to 1327.

TUSCAN ROMANCE

Sit on the terrace of one of the region’s fabulous hotels with a chilled glass of Soave Classico, looking over a timeless vista of rolling hills and vineyards – guaranteed to hit the spot.

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