Tuscany

Ah, Tuscany. People sigh when they talk about it - so much so that you can almost hear a sigh when you read the word. But what is it, exactly, that makes this Italian region so bloody popular?

Tuscany, or “Toscana” in Italian, is located just above the knee of Italy’s boot. The region is geographically quite varied, as it includes part of the Italian coast along the Tyrrhenian Sea and stretches inland such a distance that it’s not actually far from touching the opposite coast as well. What this means is that in one region you’ve got coastal cities, mountains, hill towns and river plains. With all that variety, there’s really something for everyone in Tuscany.

Tuscany’s Historic Heritage
When we think of Italian history we most often focus on that of Roman culture, but Tuscany is home to a rich history which pre-dates ancient Rome. The Etruscans dominated the area around the 8th-6th centuries B.C.E., and evidence of their civilization is still visible all over the countryside. For the most part, however, the history that most visitors concentrate on in Tuscany is the Renaissance period - and with good reason. Florence, Tuscany’s capital, is considered to be the birthplace of the Renaissance, but the whole region benefited from that boom. Today, there are six locations in Tuscany which are on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites - Florence’s historic center, Siena’s historic center, Pisa’s cathedral square, San Gimignano’s historic center, Pienza’s historic center and the entire Val d’Orcia.

Where to Go in Tuscany
For tourists, Tuscany is famous for its world famous art collections, charming medieval hill towns and sweeping hillsides full of Chianti vineyards. The most-visited cities and towns in Tuscany include, in no particular order, Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Cortona, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Livorno, Pienza and Fiesole - but the list of towns which ooze Tuscan charm is nearly endless. While you can only see Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus” and Michelangelo’s “David” in Florence, virtually any hill town will provide the perfect backdrop for the Tuscan vacation you have always dreamed of. And in fact, if your ideal Tuscan holiday involves being off the beaten path (increasingly difficult in Tuscany, of course, as pretty much the entire region is considered right in the middle of the beaten path), you’re better off choosing a village that’s not mentioned in any guidebook you can find, and perhaps even booking a vacation rental instead of a hotel room. No matter where you make your home base, however, here are a few things you might not want to miss in Tuscany.

• Florence - It’s a must-see stop for a reason, so even if you can’t stand crowds and don’t like art it’s worth at least one full day. For some information on what to see and do there, see this travel guide to Florence.
• Siena - Many a traveler’s favorite spot in Tuscany, Siena manages to stay charming no matter how many tourists clog the streets in summer. The town is centered around a public square called Il Campo, which is the site for the city’s most famous annual event - the Siena Palio. Whether you visit during the Palio or not, you’ll be treated to a glorious and proud city with a beautiful cathedral and excellent views of the countryside.
• Hill Towns - Take your pick, but visit at least one of Tuscany’s many hill towns. It almost doesn’t matter which one you choose, but if you’re staying in Florence you’re advised to find the smallest town you can (provided it still has a bus stop). Many of these towns remain quieter because they don’t have a train station, so tourists must either rent a car or take a bus to reach them. Pick a town and make it a day-trip, taking time to just wander the streets, duck in and out of shops, sip an espresso at the bar of a small cafe, or simply sit in the main piazza (every town has one!) and watch the world go by. Alternately, pick a hill town and make it your home base by staying in an agriturismo or renting a villa, and really soak in that famous Tuscan sun.
• Food & Drink - Now, I’m not suggesting that you’d forget to eat if this weren’t mentioned as a must-do thing in Tuscany. But what I am suggesting is that because of Italy’s intense regionality you’re going to find dishes and specialties in Tuscany which you won’t find anywhere else in Italy. For instance, Tuscan bread is made with no salt; a popular main course is wild boar (quite tasty); a bistecca Fiorentina is a must for beef eaters (though one is usually big enough to share); and the house wine is almost always better than something you’d pay much more for at home (this is the home of the famous Chianti region, after all). Additionally, there are foodies who consider the gelato in Florence to be some of the best in Italy. Feel free to sample widely to make your own decision about that.

You will not be the first person to “discover” anything you see in Tuscany - it’s been one of the top tourist destinations in Italy (and the world) for so long that pretty much every corner has been visited at one point or another. But that should absolutely not discourage you from setting out to explore Tuscany as if you are the first person to do so. The treasures to be found in Tuscany are the same - no matter how many people look at them, they don’t get any less beautiful.

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