Tuscany

Tuscany

• About Tuscany

  Tuscany is the land of Renaissance Art and the home of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Puccini, Boccaccio and Galileo. Its beautiful cities like Florence and Pisa will take your breath away. Its countryside is among the most inspiring in Italy and a haven for walker and hikers. Its food and wine culture is equally unrivalled. Tuscan delights also include the spas of Montecatini, Chianciano and Bagni di Lucca and the sandy beaches of the Tuscan Riviera. In fact, Tuscany is many people's idea of Italy at its best. As well as rolling countryside and medieval towns and cities to delight you Tuscany also benefits from its fair share of heavenly sunshine, yet another reason why this region has attracted so many visitors over the years.

• Travel

  International flights to Italy mostly arrive at Milan or Rome where a car drive to Tuscany is just three hours. Florence and Pisa also have significant airports. Florence, Pisa and Grosseto all have well connected rail stations. There are bus services but you will find car rental comes highly recommended in such a breathtaking region.

• Places

  Pisa

  An attractive town famous for its leaning tower dating from 1173. It stands in the Piazza dei Miracoli, a delightful square also home to the town's splendid cathedral.

  Lucca

  Ancient Gothic historical town with old town enclosed within the old city defensive wall. Formerly the home of Puccini. Operas are held here regularly as a result and summer offers many Puccini festivals.

  Florence

  Set in a valley on the banks of the river Arno, ringed by olive groves and vineyards in a canopy of hills, the stunningly picturesque city of Florence is also home to some of the most outstanding art collections in the world and some stunningly stylish shops. For several hundred years Florence was the centre of modern civilization paving the way for the explosion of art and science known as the Renaissance.

  Siena

  Historic medieval city built on three steep hills just 70 km south of Florence. Best known for its colourful horse race, Il Palio, held twice in summer. The Duomo, Siena's magnificent Italian Romanesque cathedral also rates highly.

  Barga

  Medieval Tuscan city on a hilltop just outside Garfagnana. The city grew as a castle surrounded by a line of walls, of which two gates have survived. The 12TH Century Cathedral is the main example of Romanesque art in the Serchio Valley.

• Culture

  Tuscany's artistic heritage is collected in lots of museums in the region, the best-known the Uffizi in Florence. Tuscany is also a significant wine region, most famously for Chianti, and has 120 protected nature reserves. Other major tourist destinations in Tuscany include San Gimignano, Arezzo, the Lunigiana and Garfagnana areas, and the island of Elba, once home to the exiled Napoleon.

• Florence Attractions

  The Uffizi

  The Uffizi gallery is a vast 16th Century mansion house and one of the world's greatest art galleries with a collection of Renaissance paintings by artists such as Giotto, Masaccio, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Titian and Caravaggio.

  The Accademia Gallery

  Michelangelo's David is the main attraction. Truly breathtaking, this immense sculpture was carved from a single block of marble. In the hallway leading up to the famous sculpture are further examples of Michelangelo's work, the four Prisoners.

  Piazza del Duomo

  Square featuring the impressive 15th Century Cathedral. Its most distinctive feature is the enormous dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi and built between 1420 and 1436.

  The Bargello Museum

  A treasured national collection of Renaissance sculpture. The building, constructed in 1255, was formerly a town hall, private residence and prison. Includes sculptures of Michelangelo, Donatello, Giambologna and Cellini. Other notable displays include an Islamic collection and the largest collection of ivories in the world.

  Sante Croce

  Wonderful Gothic church built in 1294 contains the tombs of many famous Florentines such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Ghiberti and Machiavelli. Interior includes frescoes by Giotto.

  Ponte Vecchio

  The 14th Century Vecchio bridge is one of the most delightful sights of Florence, traditionally a home to jewellers. Famously it was saved from destruction during the Nazi retreat from Italy in 1944. Locals defied orders to blow it up.

  Palazzo Pitti and Giardino Boboli

  Impressive structure containing seven museums including the Museo degli Argenti, the Museum of Costumes and the Porcelain Museum. Extending behind the palace are beautifully landscaped and maintained gardens.

• Tuscany Key Facts

  • Region of Italy - Tuscany
  • Major City - Florence
  • Time Zone - GMT 1 (GMT 2 between the last Sunday in March and Saturday before the last Sunday in September).
  • Language - Italian
  • Money - The Euros