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Perhaps the most romanticized region in all of Italy, having featured in at least a dozen Hollywood blockbusters and considered the region birthplace of the RenaissanceTuscany has never been a cultural movement that continues to inspire awe to this day not full of tourists.
As diverse as this region of Italy is – it is one of the largest in the country – most tourists will pass through it only briefly, either for a scenic drive along a winding road lined with cypresses, to take photos with the distinctive crooked tower of Pisa, or stroll through the narrow streets of Florence or Siena.
These are not overrated by any means, but it turns out they are so much more to Tuscany other than that, and if you’re a wine lover, have a soft spot for medieval towns, and are looking for a quieter stretch of beach to relax on after a long day of exploring, then you’ve come to the right place:
Experience the age-old culture
Tuscany is best known for its historic towns that have remained virtually unchanged for more than six centuries, and although the majority of tourists will spend most of their time in Florence, leaving the Tuscan capital is actually your best chance to experiencing the culture.
San Gimignano is sometimes called the Manhattan of the Middle Ages thanks to its numerous towers that may have been the precursor to the modern skyscraper, its maze-like old town, cobbled streets leading to beautifully painted churches and hidden courtyards.
Not far from San Gimignano, Volterra is just as charming, and if you join the Twilight madness of the late 2000s, you might recognize it the fictional home of the Volturibut if you expect to spot real vampires, you may have to try your luck in Transylvania.
Nestled in the Tuscan hills, Montepulciano is another gem waiting to be discovered charmingly medieval piazze and wellswhich in this current era still provide clean water, and beautiful Torre di Pulcinellaa bell tower that towers over the otherwise flat, terracotta cityscape.
Taste world famous wine
Tuscany is the main destination in Italy enotourismwhich is just a fancy word that travel publications love when it comes to wine tourism, and it prides itself on being the birthplace of well-known exports such as Chianti And Tignanellobut also countless other regional wines that you won’t easily find at Tesco.
These are Brunello from Montalcinoone of the best Italian red wines, produced in the picturesque ocher town, Bolgherifull offers coming from the dreamy Tuscan coast, and our personal favorite, Vernaccia di San Gimignanomade from native grapes grown around San Gimignano.
Tuscan wine is an intangible heritageand it is as representative of Tuscany as the Renaissance or the tower-studded hilltop villages, and it is fair to say that no trip to the region is complete without a farm stay coupled with wine tasting, and on Tripadvisor there are at least 118 to choose from.
Three of the top-rated ‘agritourism’ experiences are at Fattoria Santa Vittoria in Pozzo, a traditional guesthouse attached to a thriving winery, Fattoria Lavacchio in Pontassieve, where you can taste wine, ride horses and enjoy homemade Italian food, and the exclusive, family-run Fattoria La Vialla.
Relax in the Tuscan countryside
Tuscan hospitality also attracts many tourists, especially Americans crossing the pond this summer who may be hesitant to come to Italy given the country’s reputation. downright anti-touristy (it’s not like Venice’s purge of day trippers and Portofino’s selfie ban have gone unnoticed).
However, in the green hills of the Italian wine region, they will certainly be warmly welcomed, whether they stay in a luxury farmhouse or in a regular Airbnb: Tuscany even has the highest concentration of five-star listings in the country, and (unsurprisingly) it is ranked at the forefront of hospitality.
Wellness paradise Castello Bonaria is a prime example of Tuscan excellence, with friendly English-speaking staff, amazing food, modern spa facilities, lush gardens and an inviting aqua pool (one-night stays start in June from just $161).
Elsewhere on the coast, in the trendy seaside resort of Livorno, GH has Palazzo nightly rates of $128 for a double room: their spa features an indoor pool, sauna and jacuzzi, and the rooftop restaurant offers views of the azure Mediterranean Sea.
Enjoy the Tuscan sun
Speaking of which, we saved the very best for last: many tourists don’t actually know it, but Tuscany is not a landlocked region. It has a coastline on the Mediterranean Sea that extends for more than 400 kilometers, alternating with pristine beachesnature reserves and lively seaside resorts.
They’re not exactly picturesque and serene (Livorno is every Tuscan’s favorite sunny retreat in the warmer months), but the coast still feels less crowded than the neighboring Italian Riviera, or worse, Amalfi, because only Italians usually come here .
Other holiday towns include Viareggio, where a golden stretch of sand seems to stretch to the horizon, dotted with the classic blue and white parasols, Forte dei Marmi, where a long pier extends into the Mediterranean, and the more – hermit Elba.
When you see that it is an island that is being washed over Caribbean-like white sand and turquoise waters, Elba deserves a special nod: it’s part of the multi-island Tuscan Archipelago National Park, and its most infamous former resident of exile is Napoleon, between 1814 and 1815.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
