Tuscany is one of Italy’s 20 regions, located in the northwest of the country with Florence as its capital. Dominated by hilly and mountainous terrain, it boasts a treasure trove of cultural heritage. It’s also well-known for being the home of Chianti wine and rustic cuisine.
The Tuscan coastline is equally stunning with its mile-long beaches flanked by the Apuan Alps. The sea, sand, pine woods and the Natural Park of San Rossore invite sun worshippers and hikers alike. The outlying archipelago includes the island of Elba, where Napoleon was exiled after his forced abdication in 1814.
Mountain fans have a wide choice, with the Apuan Alps offering marble cathedrals and the kingdom of Lunigiana boasting delightful caves and castles. Monte Amiata is full of roe and wild deer, and home to Italy’s most famous vineyards. The snow-covered Appenine Mountains offer downhill and cross-country skiing for the active.
Highlights
Leaning Tower of Pisa: was begun in 1173 and now precariously leans more than 14 feet out of line, keeping visitors from climbing its 300-plus steps to the top.
Uffizi Gallery: in Florence houses the leading collection of Italian Renaissance art, including works by masters such as da Vinci, Botticelli and Michelangelo.
Basilica di Santa Croce: in Florence features a chapel by Brunelleschi, frescoes by Giotto and a spectacular tomb from the early Renaissance period.
Il Parco di San Silvestro: is a mineralogist’s paradise, with mines dating back to Etruscan times and a breathtaking abandoned mine town.
Siena Cathedral: is a stunning Gothic cathedral with an ornately carved façade, and is considered by many to be one of Italy’s most beautiful churches.
Spas of Saturnia: in Grosseto are built around a natural thermal spring, reputed to have healing properties for vitality and beauty.
Castle of Meleto: in Chianti is regarded as one of Tuscany’s most beautiful castles, built in the early 13th century by the Firidolfi family.