Tuscany: the land of medieval castles, sweet rolling hills, villas and vineyards, not to mention the epicentre of the Renaissance. It is the region that gave birth to the renaissance of the arts in a way never seen before. The Tuscan cities, in particular Florence, Siena and Pisa, were the force of this creative revolution, which can still be perceived today. Here the Italian language originated, it was here that poets and writers of the calibre of Dante Alighieri were born, who continues to influence the vision that in the western world we have of hell and paradise. A visit to Tuscany is a great way to experience and discover this unique culture of Italy. Because as Goethe once wrote: "Tuscany is not in Italy, but Italy in Tuscany".
Tuscany is unrivalled as the cradle of art of all time, with more World Heritage Sites than anywhere else in the world. Truly an extraordinary feat for such a small region.
You can find examples of every era and style: from the Etruscan civilization (Fiesole, Chiusi, Volterra, Populonia) to Roman monuments and ruins; from Romanesque architecture to impressive Gothic cathedrals and, of course, the exceptional artistic explosion of the Renaissance. Without forgetting to mention the food and wine culture of this region, among the best in the world. Centuries-old traditions, rituals and sagas are attractions that make it even more famous.
Tuscany is famous for its art collections and architecture, especially from the Renaissance period. The city of Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance and is home to some of the world's most famous works of art, such as the statues of Michelangelo and the paintings of Leonardo da Vinci.
Music is also a far-reaching tradition in Tuscany, dating back to the Middle Ages and still bearing fruit today in the form of established music schools.
Florence Cathedral, the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte and the Leaning Tower of Pisa bear witness to Tuscany's long religious tradition. The building of magnificent churches and cathedrals was once a sign of faith and is still something that fills Italians with pride.
Festivals and celebrations are as much a part of Tuscan culture as pasta is of Italy. There are many celebrations throughout the year, often involving food, music and traditions. Popular events include the Palio di Siena (a horse race in Siena), the Calcio Storico (a historic football match in Florence) and the Festa della Rificolona (a lantern festival in Florence).
The only drawback to all of this is the mass tourism it brings with it and the commercialism that accompanies it.
We are however proud to be able to still offer you some hidden gems in the authentic Tuscany countryside where you can enjoy sophisticated food and delicious wine: hidden throughout Tuscany are a few beautiful small towns where the character still remains true to itself, notably Volterra and Massa Marittima and a lot of charming places in the Chianti.
Our selection of boutique hotels in Tuscany and agritourism’s and country inns in Tuscany, romantic hotels in Chianti and beautiful villas with stunning views highlights this beauty and helps make any stay here even more special.