Tuscany covers an area of almost 23,000 square kilometres in central Italy and is bordered by the Apennine Mountains and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Praised for its fabulous wines, priceless art and spectacular countryside, it is the most well-known of the 20 Italian regions and one of Europe’s most enchanting travel destinations.
Florence, the graceful Tuscan capital, is home to an overwhelming amount of Renaissance art and its fashion scene is equally important, with an abundance of top designer boutiques and luxury fashion houses based here. Siena, with its winding narrow streets, gorgeous medieval piazza and awe-inspiring Gothic cathedral, looks like a huge open-air museum, and the handsome walled town of Lucca has some of the best food in the area.
Tuscany is not just about great cities though. As a region replete with medieval hilltop villages, miraculously preserved ancient castles and some of the world’s most prestigious wineries, it appeals to anyone who appreciates the finer things in life. The soul-stirring landscapes of the Tuscan countryside will delight hopeless romantics and outdoor adventure enthusiasts alike. Its enchanting villages will seduce art devotees, culture vultures and history buffs with magnificent architecture and churches that hold masterpieces by the world’s finest painters and sculptors. Epicureans and wine connoisseurs will fall in love with the area’s fabulous varietals and unique farm-to-table way of eating, while discerning visitors will be thoroughly impressed with the luxury villas in Tuscany.
Nestled between Florence and Siena, the Chianti region is best known for its excellent red wine, but with its miles of scenic trails and castle routes, it is also an adventure playground for hiking aficionados. The same can be said for Val d’Orcia in the south of Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its idyllic rural scenery and atmospheric wine villages of Montepulciano and Montalcino.
