Tuscany: The Most Vibrant Part Of Italy
Ask any visitor who has been to Tuscany and they will tell you about how overwhelmed they were by their wonderful experiences on their holiday travel through the region. Tuscany combines the best of Italy – it has some of the finest art, incredible architecture, pleasant climate and a wonderful landscape, sublime cuisine and friendly locals.
Before Rome, Florence was the capital of the Roman Empire. It was here that the biggest advances and developments in art, science and philosophy took place. That’s why Florence is credited as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. The two biggest Italian masters – Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci – lived and worked in Florence during the Renaissance and you can see their priceless works in the city’s many museums and galleries. No trip to Florence would be complete without a visit to the Uffizi gallery.
When it comes to architecture, nothing rivals the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa which is listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Most visitors visit just the tower but the pretty town of Pisa is also worth exploring. Siena has some of the most awe-inspiring Gothic churches and the unusually shaped octagonal Duomo in Florence is another architectural marvel.
Quaint medieval towns and villages dot the wonderful Tuscan landscape. Perched on hilltops, these towns not only offer you panoramic vistas of rolling green hills, vast fields of sunflowers and cypress groves, but walking down their narrow cobbled streets is a wonderful experience. You will discover hidden churches and museums in towns like Montepulciano and San Gimagnano. The best way to discover Tuscany is by driving through it.
Some of the world’s finest red wines come from the lush vineyards of Chianti. The fertile soil is perfect for growing grapes and you should definitely stopover at one of the many vineyards for a wine-tasting tour. The region also has delectable cuisine to match the fine wines. Boar, duck, hare, cured meats and sausages are specialties. Even the pasta and truffles are delicious.
Not many associate Tuscany with skiing but the region of Abetone has some great slopes, making it a superb destination for a Christmas break at ski resorts.
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