If you’re mulling over an Italy trip and wondering where to focus your attention, then the region affectionately known as ‘The Italian Dream’ should certainly be in contention.
There are, admittedly, dozens of amazing reasons to head to Tuscany, and narrowing it down to ten is pretty much impossible. We could mention the stunning landscapes – from the sunny western coast to the vineyards and olive groves you’ll find further inland – but seeing as pretty much everywhere in Tuscany is a feast for the eyes, it seems a bit of a moot point.
Instead, we’re honing in on the vignettes, bites, sips and sights that make the region one of Italy’s most enduringly popular.
With its own firm sense of tradition and the dialetto toscano, the local dialect from which the Italian language was born, Tuscany is unique throughout Italy as a stalwart of art and high culture.
So, instead of looking at the broader strokes that make Tuscany special, why not check out the little things that really bring out the flavours and feelings of what Tuscany is all about? Here are our top ten reasons why people are drawn to Tuscany.
The Thermal Baths
It is common knowledge even to those who never even visited Italy – the country has a proudly distinctive way of life. The Dolce Vita, as they call it – a life without care, just pure enjoyment, relaxation, and lavishness. This pursuit of pleasure is exemplified by Tuscany’s thermal baths, which don’t only feel incredible, but they’re also aesthetically pleasing to boot.
If you thought the only way to relax in Tuscany is by relaxing next to the pool with a nice chilled Vernaccia di San Gimignano, you couldn’t be more wrong. Hot springs are found throughout the region and most towns will have a modern spa where the relaxing and reinvigorating water will be brought straight to you. Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, you could even try finding an outdoor one that can be used for free such as the hot springs of San Filippo, the Petriolo thermal springs and the Roman baths of San Casciano dei Bagni.
The Best Steak You’ve Ever Tasted
The Chianina breed of cattle are a stalwart of Italian history – references to their characteristic white colour and amazing meat date back some 2,000 years. For the carnivores amongst us, no trip to Tuscany would be complete without sampling Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a T-bone steak. Cooked incredibly simply but with a flavour unlike any you’ll have tried before, a serving of this meaty feat is normally for two, so bring a friend – or a pretty hearty appetite.
Read: How to eat like a local in Tuscany
Truffle Hunting
Tasty steaks aren’t the only culinary gem in Tuscany, and if you’re maybe feeling the need to walk off the calories from all that steak, you could certainly do worse than a little truffle hunting!
Take off into the incomparable landscape with a local truffle hunter and their specially trained dogs and experience first-hand a time-honoured tradition that has been passed down countless generations of Tuscans.
Many expeditions offer wine and food tasting afterwards – but with the prices they fetch, it’s highly unlikely you’ll be able to keep any truffles you find. Some of the best places to go truffle hunting include the hills of Mugello to the north of Florence, Maremma, a coastal area in the south west of the region, and the Casentino Valley, also famed for its wine.
Pasta, The Tuscan Way
It’s unlikely that anyone who’s been to Italy will have left without sampling a plate of pasta, but if you’re only after a spag bol or a spot of carbonara, you may be out of luck here.
Well, perhaps ‘out of luck’ is the wrong phrase, because Tuscany’s pasta dishes are simply incredible.
Pici, the wonderfully dense pasta found all over the region, is Tuscany’s arguably proudest contribution to the world of pasta. Coming from the town of Siena, and often called pici Senesi, we’d move to for this amazing product alone.
It’s often served with a simple tomato and garlic sauce, pici all’aglione, an even simpler sauce of black pepper and pecorino cheese (cacio e pepe). Sometimes, it’s dressed with a more indulgent duck ragu. Order one, or do as the locals do, and enjoy several courses of pasta in a single sitting!
Speaking of ragu, the wild boar version, served over thick cut papperdelle, is another staple of the region and a dish you’ll never pass up if you see it on a menu!
Truly World-Class Heritage
As the birthplace of the Renaissance (more on that later), you can be sure there’s some real history to delve into throughout Tuscany.
Indeed, seven of its principalities have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but we reckon the two to head to first are Siena, with its incomparable Romanesque Cathedral and twice-yearly Palio horse race, and Pienza, where you’ll find the seriously impressive Palazzo Piccolomini and the curious Romitorio – little caves carved by monks.
Of course, you’ll want to dive into the culture of Florence, too. The Uffizi and Palazzo Pitti museums, in particular, are revered across the world for their collections. The entire historic centre of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the ”the work of great masters such as Giotto, Brunelleschi, Botticelli and Michelangelo” found here. Who could argue with that?
And if you’re keen to leave Tuscany for a day trip and even more cultural clout, then the Florence to Venice train takes just two hours.
A Mecca For Movie Buffs
There’s something about the light in Tuscany that has drawn generations of film makers to set up their tripods here – Ridley Scott headed to the Val D’Orcia valley for Gladiator and the plazas of Florence for Hannibal in 2001. You’ll also be able to spot some classically Tuscan landscapes in The English Patient, Tea With Mussolini and (perhaps rather obviously) Under the Tuscan Sun.
All Things Olive
Some of the best olives in the world are grown in Tuscany, and whether you’re enjoying them sliced in a salad or pressed into extra virgin olive oil, you’re sure to taste the difference the Tuscan sun brings. If you’re heading over in October or November, which is olive oil season here, make sure you take in one of the local where you can join in the olive picking and watch the fruits being pressed.
The Romantic Aesthetics Of Florence
Look up love in the dictionary and a picture of Florence appears. The city is a synonym for romance and it’s easy to see why. Renaissance art and architecture stands proud but not boastful; it truly is elegance in visual form. The humanist art which so permeates all aesthetics of this part of Italy celebrates the female form (see Boticelli’s The Birth of Venus) in reverent fashion. Beautiful.
Read: 5 reasons why Tuscany could be the IDEAL destination to propose
Rediscover The Renaissance
Speaking of Boticelli, the world-changing explosion of culture, politics and art that we call the Renaissance began in Tuscany (especially in and around Florence) and the region still remains justly proud of its heritage in this regard.
Visit the aforementioned Uffizi Gallery and the Pitti Palace to experience some truly mind-blowing Renaissance art, and don’t forget to take along your sketchpad or notebook should you be inspired by the region that produced Dante, Donatello and perhaps the greatest artist of them al, Leonardo da Vinci.
And Last But Not Least… The Wine!
And though it might seem like a bit of a cliché, it’d be churlish not to mention the wines. Though the soil here isn’t ideal, the sun-drenched hills of the Tuscan countryside still produce some amazing vintages – the aforementioned Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a white that’s well worth a try, and a visit really wouldn’t be complete without a glass or two of the rightly-famous Tuscan Chianti. Cin cin!