Tuscany, a region located in central Italy, geographical core of the ancient Etruscan civilization, has its capital in Florence, a city-museum with amazing and priceless architectural works of Renaissance art. The city was home to great Tuscan artists, who gave birth to the Italian Renaissance. Tuscany, a region appreciated for its natural landscapes of incomparable beauty, medieval towns, olive groves and vineyards spread throughout the Val d’Orcia (Montalcino, Montepulciano and Pienza), where wines of great international prestige are produced, as well as for its rich gastronomy. Tuscany is world renowned for its great architectural, artistic and cultural heritage, whose historic centers of San Gimignano, Pienza, Siena, Lucca and Florence are considered World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Florence, capital of the Tuscany region, has museums, palaces and churches where priceless works of art by the likes of Michelangelo, Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci are exhibited. Florence celebrates festivities of great historical tradition such as the medieval calcio soccer game between Florentine neighborhoods, the scoppio del carro is celebrated on Easter Sundays at the gates of the Duomo. Siena celebrates the Palio during the months of July and August, as well as the unmissable tours: wine tasting (Val d’Orcia vineyards), gastronomic and Italian cooking classes.
WHAT TO EAT AS A LOCAL
Tuscan gastronomy takes advantage of the seasonality of its crops to create typical regional dishes, elaborated with simple, genuine, fresh ingredients of great historical tradition. Tuscany offers the world a wide variety of prestigious wines such as Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Nobile di Montepulciano and Vernaccia di San Gimignano. Exploring the local markets you will be able to taste authentic and delicious traditional Tuscan dishes such as ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, lampredotto and the unmissable Florentine tripe and steak.
