Tuscany is a dream destination
I know it, you know it, so I think this topic is self-explanatory. JI don’t even know someone who would be indifferent to the opportunity of visiting Italy, while Tuscany in that matter is found by many usually the most irresistible. It is matched with everything what is best – climatic towns built on hills, with views on fields and vineyards, just like in paintings, with history and architecture that fascinate and with aromatic food and gelato, sold literally wherever you go. And you know what? IT’S ALL TRUE! Tuscany is the ideal place for a trip, both without any particular reason or for a special occasion. Such trip simply has to go well.
I am coming back from that heavenly place and just as I remembered all the beautiful places and corners from the time when I was studying in Florence 7 years ago and got to know Tuscany pretty well… Nothing has changed. It was my marvelous, sentimental travel and now I will tell you how, in my opinion, to get as many Tuscan wonders as possible, even if you are going to be there for only one, short week.
When it’s the best time to visit Tuscany?
Huh, the age-long question – when is it best? Well, in my opinion it’s always worth to go anywhere off the tourist season. But the case with Italy is quite different, because it’s always season in there and lots of places gather crowds any time of the year. Obviously, the peak of the season is in July and August (it’s the most hot in there but it might be a disadvantage for, for example, sightseeing of towns, because the sun burns you alive and you only think about siesta). Really good months to visit Tuscany are: May/June or September/October. The weather is still beautiful, it’s warm and sunny but we avoid the holiday season, the Italian one as well. But let’s be honest, don’t expect that in these months the prices would get much lower than in the middle of summer. The prices in Italy are not in the “low” department and the Italians are fully aware of their country’s touristic potential and they are not willing to juggle the prices, because they know that there will always be someone who will come and pay.
I was there in July (I know, the peak of the season) but I had my reason – it was my birthday trip and it had to happen in this month. However, my conclusion from this trip is as follows: except for Florence, I would say that Tuscany is rather deserted, quiet and calm. Despite that it was the peak of the season, the towns I visited were quiet and I didn’t see any crowds, the restaurants were closed at 10 PM and later there was almost no living soul in the streets. When I was driving around the Tuscan hills, sometimes I didn’t pass any other car for two hours. So, we can turn a blind eye to the “season”, because in Tuscany you wouldn’t feel it.
How to get to Tuscany?
By plane
This was my choice for my latest visit. Today, the connections are usually convenient and you can get the best bang for the buck tickets (especially in Europe). For such a short flight I recommend cheap airlines like Ryanair or Wizzair.
Renting a car
Flying is one thing but then you need a mean of transport to drive you around. I am a strong follower of the opinion that if your trip is limited in time, you don’t want to waste your time on public transport and trains. Moreover, Tuscany is peculiar in that matter, because without a car you won’t reach many places and driving around these marvelous hills would be really difficult without a car (all right, you can take a bike but it’s a different story, for a different article).
So, the easiest way is to rent a car locally. I always rent a car online, before I even get to the place. You can search Google with „Car rental Bolonia”, „Car hire Piza” and you will surely get results with lots of car rentals but from my own experience I recommend using Rental Cars search engine. You choose your desired trip period, car type etc. and you get results with the best options for these dates. Then you book the car at the website and do a secure payment with a credit card. The search engine is easy to use and intuitive.
We booked a car a month before the trip, in Alamo company and it was a hybrid Toyota. We paid PLN 750 for 10 days and it covered the whole trip.
The gas cost us PLN 200 for the whole stay.
Tuscany – where to sleep?
I definitely recommend booking a room in an agri-touristic farm. They are so climatic, furnished in Italian style and there is nothing more beautiful than living and sleeping in a stony summerhouse with garden and vineyard, somewhere in the middle of the Tuscan hills. If you own or rented a car, it’s not a problem to live outside of a city and just come during the day, while spending your evening away from the noise but with picturesque views outside, singing of birds and cicadas. No place would fill in for this climate and after all you go to Tuscany to feel like you were living in an Italian movie.
How to find these places?
You can easily find them at Booking.com or Airbnb. The choice is literally enormous, but those most unique and luxurious sell like hot cakes long before the season even begins. So even if Tuscany is your spontaneous choice, it would be worth to book your place to sleep with advance (on Booking.com you can cancel most booking even one day before arrival, no cost).
I had two main excursion bases during my trip. I spent first three days in San Gimigiano in Fattorie Santo Piettro villa. I chose it because my friends recommended it to me and because it was relatively cheap for the quality it was to offer. It’s situated beautifully, the views around it were absolutely exceptional and it was quite close to the places I wanted to visit. So, those were the pluses. The rest – the standard, food, pool (it was out of order with no water during my stay) and customer service – in my opinion… so-so. I think that you can find a better offer.
My second choice for the next three nights was Villa di Capovento, which is absolutely exceptional in every way you can imagine and the stay was a great birthday present. So, if you are looking for a unique place to stay, you want to celebrate something, I recommend it to you with all my heart – it’s really magical!
I’ve dedicated a whole article to this villa, if you haven’t read it yet.
>>The most beautiful villa in Tuscany<<
My accommodation in Florence was also really good – in the town center, in a beautiful tenement house, 10 minutes from Duomo Cathedral, but located at a side street, what made it peaceful and cozy. Perfect base to sightsee the city. I’ve found it on Airbnb (HERE).
(zobaczcie TUTAJ).
Tuscany – what to do there?
Well, it’s not that much but it’s enough to feel the climate of Tuscany, experience its beauty and fall in love with this region – resulting in quite a good reason to visit this place few times more.J
My plan included some sightseeing, some wandering the streets of Italian towns and then also relaxing in the beautiful surroundings of nature. So it was perfectly balanced. Below you will find my subjective list of places worth visiting while in Tuscany (the order is totally free, these places are situated quite close to each other, so you can decide every day what your mood tells you to see. And, of course, it depends on the place where you decided to stay).
SAN GIMIGIANO
I really like the comparison that San Gimigiano is a “medieval Manhattan”, because of the 70 towers the town used to have. I love this town for its coziness and remarkable architecture. Beginning with the entrance, so with the Porta S. Giovani – a gateway dated to 13th century, decorated with Sienese arcs, to finish at the one of the extant towers, from which you can admire the Tuscan landscape. It is really worth to plan some time for Rocca citadeland Piazza della Cisternawith a 13th century holding tank. At Piazza delle Erbethere is also a magnificent church and a city hall, along with twin Salvucci towers.
Practical advice: if you want to eat supper in this town, remember that the restaurants are closed at 9:30-10 PM and after that the town falls asleep and looks almost deserted. But nonetheless, it has its charm! Go for a walk in the night, you really should!
MONTEPULCIANO
It’s called “the pearl of the 16th century” thanks to its unique Renaissance architecture. There’s a lot to see! Gothic church of 13th century, Palazzo Nobili, beautiful city well decorated with lions and griffons
The San Biaggio church is located in the south-west area of the town. I love Montepulciano for the views – almost every restaurant has a terrace with a view on the landscape, what grants 100% more quality to every meal! :)
You just have to visit a simply brilliant restaurant and cafe Caffe Poliziano, which, besides having terrace and balconies, is furnished like in old movies. Try their tiramisu, it’s fantastic!
Montepulciano is also famous for its vineries and the wine produced in this area (same name, Montepulciano). Anywhere you go will you find wine shops and this is the place to buy local goods.
A curiosity – one of the series of the “Twilight Saga – New Moon” was shot there and gave the city a quite big touristic fame.
But you, to celebrate the twilight, should go to one of my most favorite restaurants Osteria Porta do Bacco– risotto with black truffles is brilliant! The restaurant is joined with a shop, run by an amiable Italian – the cheese and truffle salami he recommended came in our luggage to Poland and are waiting for the Italian themed evening :)
SIENA
Sometimes it’s crowded but, by God, I love this city. For its architecture, for one of the most beautiful duomo in Italy (black and white Gothic cathedral with famous marble floor inside – a piece of art!)and unique Piazza del Campo square, in form of a shell. It is one of the cities that cultivates tradition and if you go there between 2nd July and 15th August you can count on seeing an exceptional event –famous Tuscan festive in honor of the Mother of God, which traditions date back to the Middle Ages.
The climax of the celebration, which the whole city loves and which draws thousands of tourists from all over the world, is an unusually thrilling, but lasting only three rounds around the square, horse race (starts at 7 PM), free to attend for all the spectators.
The city is situated on three hills, what guarantees remarkable views from every direction, so that’s why you should climb an over hundred meters tall Torre del Mangia at Palazzo Pubblico, from which you can admire the panorama of the city.
I like Siena for another reason – the car traffic is banned there, so you can walk it freely and in peace.
PIENZA
A small town but with lots of stuff worth seeing. It’s a historical center, listed as UNESCO monument. You just have to include in your list the Porta al Prato – a characteristic town gateway, decorated with frescos. On the right side you have the entrance to the city walls, in the slope of a hill – awesome vista point for picturesque Vall d’Orcia and volcanic Monte Amiate peak in the background.
Besides, there is a Gothic interior of Duomo di Pienza (Concattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta), dated to 15th century. Another black and white piece of art that is absolutely obligatory to see. The building was made of black tuff and its facade – white travertine.
Don’t forget about the main residence of the city – Palazzo Piccolomini and the impressive Palazzo Pubblico palace with characteristic arcades and brick tower (north side), the bishop’s palace Palazzo Vescovile on the east and Palazzo Piccolomini on the west.
Walking Pienza is a pleasure on its own – brick houses, immensity of flowers, grown by the citizens and shops with best local delicacy – the Pecorino cheese, made of sheep milk. There are lots of various sorts, like for example, stuffed with truffles. The older the cheese is, the more spicy, salty and expressive the taste gets. I definitely recommend buying one of these for your Italy themed evenings at home.
AREZZO
Known from the movie of Antonio Benigni “La vita è bella” [Life is beautiful]. Well, no surprise, because life in these Italian towns really looks beautiful. This city was settled by the Etruscans in, probably, 7th century BC and is picturesquely situated on a hill. It used to be famous of its ceramics. Petrarca and Vesari were born there and in the vicinity – the Michelangelo.
You really have to visit the beauty spot – Piazza Grande, where the famous tournament Saracena takes place. This tradition lives onand twice a year – in the last but one Sunday of June and first Sunday of September. Duringthe Knightly Tournament the citizens dress in medieval garments. The military shows take place at Piazza Grande, during which the chosen ones fight a dummy of Saracen warrior. The whole celebration ends with a colorful parade.
It is worth to visit the Santa Maria della Pieve church with characteristic 4 level facade, which is recognized as the most beautiful in the region. Besides, Basilica di San Francesco is also a place you should go to, as many of the early Renaissance pieces of arts are exhibited there.
FLORENCE
This is my special place. I studied in Florence seven years ago and it was my magical time. Sightseeing the city is one thing but being a citizen, drinking cappuccino in the favorite cafe right behind the corner every day or riding a shaky old bicycle to the university, passing by the pearls of architecture… ah, that’s really something.
Florence is a crowded city, attractive for tourists and in the peak of the tourist season the city demands lots of patience… But even two days spent there would be an unforgettable time and I am sure that you won’t regret your choice.
This city is literally overfilled with monuments and places worth seeing, so I’ve prepared another article only about this (STAY TUNED!).
What I should definitely try in Tuscany?
Travel and keep fit in Italy? Forget it! :) It’s not a good place for such experiments. JYou come to Italy to eat, try and taste, so you can call it your “cheat week” for a few days. I guarantee it – in only few days you won’t mess up your stamina and shape, or course if you live actively and eat healthy on the daily basis.
The Tuscan cuisine is in majority based on seasonality and local products. I would say that it’s rather heavy and stodgy, with lots or red meat, game, red wine, truffles and olive oil.
The most frequent appetizer before the meal is Pane toscano – hard, unsalted break, which itself is tasteless but it’s customary to dip it in olive oil with salt or in balsamic vinegar, which gives it a completely new dimension.
You should definitely try Pici – long, thick pasta, similar in shape to spaghetti. It’s served with various sauces but the most popular is the one based on white or dark (in my opinion – these are more tasty) truffles.
If you eat meat, you should give the game meals (wild board or pheasant) a chance.
They are characteristic to this region. Just like the Bistecca alla fiorentina– famous Florentine beefsteak, made of chianina breed cows, bred in Tuscany.
What should I bring home?
Cantucci, so cookies from Prato (northern Tuscany), that are baked twice, what gives them their famous hardness. The usual additives are chopped almonds or hazelnuts, pistachios, chocolate and candied orange zest. They are hard to chew, so they should be dipped in coffee or vin santo (sweet, white wine).
Pecorino – traditional Tuscan cheese from Pienza w Val d’Orcia. It’s made of sheep milk. Hard and aromatic. You can buy it without or with additives, like truffles (I love’em!). No problem with packing it in your luggage – just ask in the shop, if they could vacuum pack it, then it stays fresh for months.
Prosciutto Toscano – the characteristicmatured ham, very tangy flavor and dried at least one year.
Olive oil –an absolute basis for Italian cuisine, so it would be a total bummer if you didn’t buy at least one bottle of excellent Tuscan olive oil. You can try those aromatized with truffles (this taste is delicious and it would liven up any dish).
Salami – Tuscan ones are really good, the cheese is tasty as well and there is no problem with vacuum packing. You won’t be surprised if I recommended you the one with truffles? :)
Dried tomatoes – are a marvellous addition to the meals you will be cooking during long, autumn evenings in Poland. And the Tuscan tomatoes are unique – very sweet, ripe and aromatic.
Olive paste – you can buy it in small jars and it’s perfect for bruschetta with tomatoes and olive oil. Awesome additive to meats and cheeses.
Tuscan wines are worth the fuzz
There is no Italy without wine. Wine is inherent part of Italian culture, tradition and addition to every dish. The choice is enormous, so below you can find a small list of the most characteristic ones for the Tuscany.
Chianti Classico – the most famous Tuscan wine. Red and full-bodied. The original wine made of grapes vines cultivated and processed in the area of Chianti, so between Florence, Siena and Arezzo, is called Chianti Classico. You will recognize it by the logo with dark rooster.
Brunello di Montalcino – red and full-bodied wine, from Montalcino city and its vicinity. It’s not produced in great numbers, so it’s not one of the cheapest sorts.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano – is white and delicate, made in the area of San Gimignano.
Vin Santo – a white, very sweet dessert wine. It shall be served with cantuccini cookies, it’s a typical Tuscan dessert.
What to experience in Tuscany?
For me, Tuscany is mainly about catching the moments, experiencing and little pleasures. Italy has a remarkable climate but to feel it truly you just have to try few things typical to Italians if you want to try to feel what they do just for a brief moment.
In another article you can find my subjective list of Italian pleasures, which in my opinion you simply have to experience while in Tuscany.
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