Share the article
Last updated
As 2023 draws to a close and the current travel year draws to a close, it’s only natural to think about what travel experiences you can have and what new destinations you’ll visit in 2024.
Now that border restrictions have finally been lifted and the American passport is as strong as ever, they are here really no limits as to where you can go: as the old cliché goes: ‘the world is your oyster’.
Still, we wouldn’t blame you if you’re not sure where to go yet, with so many incredible options available, but if you’re looking for a relaxing sunny holiday Steeped in culture, we might just have the perfect place:
Tuscany is one of the trendiest destinations for 2024
Tuscany is one of Italy’s most traditional regions, encompassing parts of the country’s north-central areas. It is a renowned center for culture and art and proud home to some of the world’s most iconic man-made wonders.
We know that Italy may be more commonly associated with Rome’s millennia-old architectural marvels such as the Colosseum or the Roman Forum, or even the winding canals of Venice, lined with stately palaces, but Tuscany has no shortage of sights of its own.
If you are familiar with the name of the province but not with its contents, the Tuscan interior includes hugely popular tourist destinations such as Florence, the regional capital Pisa, where the leaning tower can be found, and the numerous family businesses and farms of Val d’Orcia.
On their annual list of best regions to travel, Lonely planet highlights Tuscany as the perfect place to embrace that ‘dolce vita’ and slow down.
A beautiful capital
The publication mentions no fewer than 50 villages in Tuscany where ‘Etruscan heritage‘ can be spotted, a number of archaeological sites, and the Renaissance, as the Tuscan capital is the place where this philosophical movement came from that would inspire politics and the arts.
Florence is easy one of the most inspiring and intricately beautiful cities of Europe, with its polychrome marble facades and provocative Brunelleschi Dome, the largest brick ever built.
Famous figures born in Florence include Michelangelo, whose David is on display in the Gallery of the Academy of Florence, Galileo Galilei, the most celebrated astronomer and physicist in history, Leonardo da Vinci, the cunning mind behind Mona Lisa, and many others .
Florence simply radiates art in every corner, and you are sure to fall in love with the city and its winding, ocher alleys as much as the numerous poets, painters and song-makers who have made it their muse over the centuries.
However, Florence is only an entry point to wider Tuscany.
An idyllic, picturesque countryside
If you are fascinated by medieval history, you should definitely add the walled city San Gimignano on your itinerary, as it features a row of perfectly preserved 13th-century towers, as well as the charming Montepulcianoa cobbled hilltop village surrounded by vineyards.
The Tuscan countryside is yet another attraction, especially for those who would like to experience a more romantic, idyllic side of Italy.
You can expect long, single-lane rides neatly arranged cypresses and rolling green hills dotted with vineyards and quaint hilltop villages.
In summer, the Tuscan coast is also one of Italy’s lesser-known, yet most beautiful sunny hotspots, with seaside resorts such as Versilia, home to the iconic Hotel Principe di Piemonte, and Livorno, a colorful port city embraced by the bright sunlight . -blue Mediterranean Sea.
Naturally, no visit to Tuscany would be complete without Pisa.
Leaning towers and Tuscan food
This classic city, crossed by the River Arno, is just a 50-minute train ride from Florence and boasts a high concentration of man-made wonders, most notably the Leaning Tower, a free-standing bell tower next to Pisa Cathedral that is converted to a famous selfie spot.
But do not worry. Unlike in Portofino, you won’t be fined more than $300 – at least for now – for taking selfies while leaning against or ‘supporting’ the tower.
We’ve covered the architectural gems and world-class cities, but don’t get us started on the food.
Tuscan cuisine is certainly an intangible cultural heritage of Italy as a whole, and you can’t leave without trying it pappardelle and cinghiale ragu (wild boar pasta, a regional delicacy), tripe sandwich (a local street favorite in Florence) or Florentine steak.
As you can see, there are enough sights in Tuscany to keep the history buff, culture vulture and foodie entertained for days. if not weeks endlessly.
It’s an individual journey in itself, and it’s no wonder it has been chosen as one of the top regions to visit in 2024.
Read more:
Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans for 2023 from $10 per week
How to easily earn points for free travel
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
