A trip to Tuscany offers a quintessential taste of Italy. It is home to magnificent art, living history, breathtaking landscapes and charming hilltop towns. Not forgetting the world-class vineyards and food!
In this episode of Behind the Bucket List, Luke and Jamie take us on an adventure through Tuscany. This Italian region attracts travellers from around the world and boasts a number of wonderful things to see, do and experience. Get ready to discover why the quality and beauty of life, art, crafts and cuisine in Tuscany is hard to resist!
Enjoy the best of Tuscany in this episode of Behind the Bucket List:
Is Tuscany on your travel bucket list? Here are a few reasons it should be!
The art is incredible!
Florence, Tuscany, was at the epicentre of the Renaissance hundreds of years ago, under the rule of the Medici Family. The Renaissance era took place from the 14th – 17th century, beginning in Florence and eventually spreading to the rest of Europe. This period of artistic, cultural, political and economic “rebirth” followed the Middle Ages and brought to light some of the greatest artists of our time including Michelangelo, Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci. Today you can marvel at famous artworks at the Uffizi Gallery and explore more beautiful spots in Florence.
Tuscany is home to world-class vineyards and cuisine.
The rolling hills of Tuscany are dotted with sprawling vineyards that produce award-winning wine such as Sassicaia, Tignanello and the super sweet Vin Santo. You can sample authentic Italian wine in the various prolific wine regions of Tuscany. And don’t even get us started on the food! Italy is widely-loved for its cuisine: pizza, pasta, gelato and much, much more. In Tuscany, the focus is on fresh, local produce and rich flavours. Travellers can look forward to sampling favourites including crostini toscani (chicken liver pâté on toasted bread), pappa al pomodoro (tomato soup), bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine T-bone steak) and the varieties of local olive oil. Why not indulge in authentic Italian flavours while dining al fresco? Tuscany is definitely a gourmet destination!
The landscapes are picture-perfect.
Rolling hills, medieval hilltop towns, olive groves, churches, cathedrals, rural farmhouses and villages that seem frozen in time. Life feels like it slows down in Tuscany! A trip through Tuscany’s picture-perfect countryside is a treat for the eyes. You could pass hours simply admiring the views and discovering historic corners of this beautiful region.
History is all around in Tuscany.
From the medieval cities and the Renaissance piazzas to the Romanesque monuments and gothic cathedrals; history is palpable in Tuscany, especially so in places like Florence, Siena, Pisa and San Gimignano. On a visit, learn about the events, families and rulers that have shaped Tuscany into the region that it is today. Better yet, enjoy the chance to explore the historical towns and landmarks. For some fun, don’t forget to snap the classic cheesy tourist photo at the Leaning Tower of Pisa!
Enjoy your own taste of Tuscany with a trip to this beautiful part of Italy. Travel by coach or shake it up with one of our new railway tours! Travel through Italy on the Italy Express and Rome to Amsterdam Rail Explorer train tours. For more bucket list fun, subscribe and follow the journey on social media!