Tuscany

Amidst the vineyards, wheat fields and ancient villages, it is a worthy representative of the Tuscany of Chianti and Val D'Orcia, where unmistakable flavours and good, traditional cuisine reign supreme. Listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1990, San Gimignano lovingly preserves the atmosphere of a fourteenth-century village and the appearance of one of the best examples of urban organisation since the age of the communes, or city-states. Its unmistakable towers dominate a landscape that deserves more than a visit to discover it.

A land of art and nature, Tuscany is also a region of excellent wines and incomparable gastronomy. Peasant cuisine with recipes that have been handed down through generations is combined with highly prized grape varieties with a long history. A trip to its cities of art and villages cannot be said to be complete without a food break. Will you follow us on a tour that combines five typical Tuscan recipes with five regional DOC and DOCG wines?

Home to one of the most important museums in the world, the majestic Uffizi Gallery, it enthrals with its architectural treasures, historic churches, art galleries brimming with masterpieces, and romantic bridges crossing the Arno. The banks of the Florentine river themselves offer splendid views, and all around rise the magical Tuscan hills. Here, the artistic heritage is unparalleled, or nearly unparalleled in the world, but we feast in honour of the noble and varied Tuscan traditions of gastronomy and wine-making.

This is Val d'Orcia, included in 2004 in the UNESCO World Heritage List. A unique encounter of art and nature, rich in evidence of the past, with a natural landscape redesigned during the Renaissance to reflect the ideals of 'good government' in the Italian city-state.

Chianti, the area of rolling hills stretching between Florence and Siena, Arezzo and the hills of Pisa, has long been considered the “heart of Tuscany”. Its splendid landscape is dotted with dense vineyards, chestnut forests, oaks and maples, attractive medieval villages, romantic castles and charming colonial farmhouses. It is also the birthplace of one of the world’s most famous red wines: Chianti.

Vibrant and animated by the great history exuding from its walls, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the city's symbol and the most famous Italian monument in the world, immediately springs to mind. Along with the cathedral and the baptistery, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is part of a complex of works that Gabriele D'Annunzio dubbed "Miracles", hence the name Piazza dei Miracoli, which perfectly defines the place that houses them. Monuments, museums and impressive buildings of inestimable artistic value preserve the memory of Pisa as a Maritime Republic that, for a long time, was the undisputed master of the Mediterranean. As its title of Queen of Studies, which was given to it by the Florentines, suggests, Pisa is not only one of Italy's best-loved cities of art, but also remains a young, bustling and lively city where past and present merge.

Bardini Garden: where nature is multicultural The Bardini Garden in Florence are the perfect place for breathtaking views. Every time you visit its four hectares of parkland, the priceless panoramas will sweep you off your feet as though it were your first time. This natural jewel is perched on Montecuccoli hill, surrounded by medieval walls, which was originally a system of walled vegetable gardens near Palazzo Mozzi. An Italian style with an Anglo-Chinese flavour and a rural culture You will notice a blend of three different styles and cultures: the Italian garden, with its unmissable Baroque staircase and six fountains nearby decorated with mosaics, the Anglo-Chinese forest, full of exotic nature, and finally the agricultural park, with a new orchard including pear, plum, peach and cherry trees, and a fascinating wisteria arbour. The history of Bardini Garden The 19th century saw the extension of the Baroque garden, with the purchase of the Anglo-Chinese garden of Villa Manadora, created by Luigi Le Blanc at the beginning of the century. Carolath Benten Princes later bought the property and embellished it with Victorian details. In 1913, antiquarian Stefano Bardini bought the complex and built a pathway up to the Villa, destroying traces of the original medieval gardens and connecting the two buildings on the Costa San Giorgio. A flurry of flowers The perfect spot for anyone who loves nature walks surrounded by flowers, here you can admire more than 60 varieties of hydrangeas, tunnels of wisteria, roses and irises, and even a natural theatre, carved out of the vegetation in a hollow in the ground. In the English woodland, the star of the show is the azalea field. It is also home to the Dragon Fountain, the source of the stream that runs along one side and through the garden, embellished with statues and flowering plants. The garden, which today has become an exhibition centre, an events venue, and more generally a site rich in history, art and culture, also has two grottoes: one resembling a natural grotto, in the upper part, near the Kaffeehaus, and another that is more ornate, in the valley, with an eclectic appearance, recognisable by the brick arch that forms its entrance. When you leave the villa, you will find yourself on the Costa San Giorgio: the Boboli Gardens, just a few minutes away, are well worth a visit.

There are seven major islands (Elba, Giglio, Giannutri, Capraia, Pianosa, Gorgona and Montecristo), to be explored along trekking trails in the mid-season, to be enjoyed by the sea during the summer for those who love snorkelling, diving and dolphin and whale watching. Because here we are in the Sanctuary of the Cetaceans.

Crystal clear waters and coasts that are still partly wild inviting countryside for those looking for relaxation away from the busy pace of the city villages nestled on ancient castles and a rich cuisine where you can find, unchanged, traditional, local food and wine. These are the things that make the Maremma so dear to Italian and foreign visitors. An ideal place for nature lovers, the Maremma is a place to discover on foot, by bike, or even better, on horseback.

Not just art and culture but also parks and gardens! If you’re looking for green areas, tree-lined avenues and flower beds, then you should know you can see them in the heart of Florence. From the Boboli Gardens to the Giardino delle Rose, from the Botanical Gardens to the Bardini Gardens, Florence's urban nature offers many experiences to discover and enjoy.

The Lagoon of Orbetello, in Tuscany, is a natural paradise that draws numerous travelers in the know all year long. In the lower Maremma, it is protected by the World Environment Fund since 1971, allowing for its ecosystem – comprising many species of migratory birds – to thrive. This splendid zone, overlooked by the 2,083-ft. Monte Argentario, is covered by fragrant Mediterranean maquis. Three slight and sandy stretches of land wrap around Orbetello’s lagoon, connecting the town itself to the Argentario Promontory, making it unrivaled as a refuge of avifauna and charming coastal oasis.

This stunning cove with white sand and emerald waters sits in the Bandite di Scarlino Nature Reserve. It sits nestled between the two promontories of Punta Martina to the north, separating it from the neighbouring Cala Martina, and Punta Le Canne to the south. This renowned beach can only be reached on foot or by bicycle, via a path that takes less than half an hour through the Mediterranean scrubland, or by sea. The lack of easy access has probably contributed to keeping this evocative Tuscan beach natural and pristine, making it a real jewel of a landscape, with a very rare quality...

Whether you are an athlete, a cycle-tourist or an absolute beginner on two wheels, is of little importance: among the hundreds of cycle-tourism itineraries scattered throughout its stunning territory, Tuscany will certainly have something to suit you. The routes are immersed in the scenic and artistic splendour that is the envy of the world; perfect for road bikes, mountain bikes or e-bikes, they are built for every level of proficiency. Are you ready to choose yours?

The Tuscan countryside around Siena takes in spas as well as excellent food and wine with these five delightful cycling routes through picture postcard nature. The spectacular countryside around Siena, in Tuscany, offers slow rides immersed in nature with the bouquet of wines and truffles, natural spas and very old villages still pervaded by the presence of the ancient Etruscans. Here are five essential itineraries for a truly complete sensory experience. These enchanting landscapes will also welcome stages of the Giro d'Italia 2023.

Lush forests, peaks with breathtaking views, coastlines with crystal-clear sea. Tuscany presents a variety of landscapes to be discovered. There are many paths for trekking: here are some of them, winding their way along mountain roads, mule tracks and ancient road networks. Routes for all tastes and levels of difficulty, surrounded by unspoilt nature.

A fun activity for everyone, suitable for all levels of athletic ability and all ages: nowadays, many see kayaking as an alternative way to discover an area, on a par with walking or going for a bike ride. Routes often overlap, so it may also be an option to pick up your kayak after cycling or walking along one of Italy's many uniquely stunning trails. Natural, wild landscapes, or rivers running through cities: Italy offers plenty of routes that are suitable for everyone, with excursions lasting for a few hours or - for real enthusiasts - several days.

The scenery is where one of the key stages of the UCI WorldTour - the top world cycling calendar event - has been held for years, namely the Strade Bianche, a road cycling race staged every March in the province of Siena. The route combines the main characteristics of two other classics - the Paris-Roubaix for its stretches on uneven road (in France on cobblestones, in Tuscany on dirt - “white” - roads) and the Tour of Flanders for its short stretches with very high slopes. A difficult race, reserved to the most fearless cyclists, which attracts cycling fans from all over the world to Siena. Back with our feet on the ground, or on the pedals, around the official route used for the championship race, there are many other routes within everyone's reach for discovering the Siena area by bicycle with friends or family.

It is a route loved by professional cyclists (including many big names), but also by those who ride for passion. After all, all the ingredients are there. No major ascents, but several climbs, especially on the 11 gravel sectors adding up to 63 kilometres – the DNA of the race. The roadbed is well kept, but the vibrations, that from the ground reach the arms, recall the effort involved in ancient cycling, unaware of the asphalt and its easy promises of glory. The setting, however, is worth the effort. A blend of art, culture and food and wine excellence with only one risk: it makes you want to get off the saddle and enjoy a unique territory in the world.

This symbol of the power of the Maritime Republic of Pisa is better known as Piazza dei Miracoli after the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio's definition of the city for the extraordinary beauty of its architectural jewels. Ready to lose yourself in the wonders of this unique square?

The Medici Villas, on UNESCO’s World Heritage list since 2013, which offer a unique opportunity to discover the legendary Tuscany.

The spirituality, already inherent in the scenery, is increased by the numerous religious complexes that stud the horizon: abbeys, cathedrals, churches and monasteries that are beautiful to visit because they are enveloped in an atmosphere of intimate tranquillity and are the custodians of an unparalleled artistic heritage. Ancient villages spring up on the hilltops, with fortresses keeping watch over the valley furrowed by the Orcia river. This is a magical stretch of southern Tuscany lying between the provinces of Siena and Grosseto, which UNESCO has listed as a World Heritage Site.

Florence is a city that amazes, seduces and stays in your heart. The Tuscan capital is an open-air museum full of architectural masterpieces and unique works of art. At every turn a marvel, so much so that its historic centre enclosed within the ancient medieval walls has been UNESCO World Heritage since 1982.

Siena is tucked away in the Tuscan hills. A cultured city and ideal destination for lovers of good food, Siena is fascinating even from afar. UNESCO described it as 'a masterpiece of dedication and inventiveness in which buildings were designed to fit into the overall design of the urban structure' and in 1995 placed it on the World Heritage List for skilfully preserved important features of its medieval structure: an old town centre bordered by the ancient ramparts built between the 14th and 16th centuries and a main square, Piazza del Campo, with a jaw-dropping number of monuments and sights.

Lucca, one of Tuscany’s main towns, is one of the most fascinating and best-preserved medieval cities in Italy: with great honour for its historical and cultural memory, which it carefully preserves, it captivates visitors with its picturesque alleys, squares and characteristic churches. Symbolic of the city, the imposing 16th-century walls are one of the few examples of city walls that have remained completely intact in Italy. Fascinating to admire, they constitute an ideal excuse for a tour of the countryside while offering a vantage point to see the urban structure of the city, commissioned by the Romans, which is unique in its beauty and harmony to this day. Lucca's wealth of history and monuments, its hospitable and cheerful climate, and its proximity to unspoilt nature make it the perfect destination to discover a touch of genuine Tuscany.