WELCOME TO TUSCANY

Tuscany (Toscana in Italian) is a region in central Italy, bordering on Latium to the south, Umbria and Marche to the east, Emilia-Romagna and Liguria to the north, and the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west.

Tuscany is often regarded as high-ranking among the most beautiful parts of Italy, and tourism is the economic backbone of the region.

Tuscany was essentially the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, and its artistic heritage includes architecture, painting and sculpture, collected in dozens of museums, the best-known of which is the Uffizi in Florence and in situ in even quite small cities.

Notable tourist destinations in Tuscany include Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Arezzo, Barga, Cortona, Volterra, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, the Crete Senesi and Valdorcia, Lunigiana and Garfagnana areas, as well as the seaside resorts of Versilia, Maremma and the island of Elba.

Skiing is a popular winter activity on the Pistoiese Appenines and Tuscany boasts as many as 120 protected nature reserves.

Tuscany is noted for the production of wine (notably Chianti, Morellino di Scansano, Brunello di Montalcino, Nobile di Montepulciano and Vernaccia di San Gimignano).

Agricultural produce also includes cattle (particularly the famous 'Fiorentina' steak from the 'Chianina' breed) and a very fine olive oil, principally from Lucca and the surrounding hills.

Worth mentioning is also the quarrying of unsurpassed white marble in Versilia, Garfagnana and in the Alpi Apuane, into which many of Michelangelo's masterpieces were sculpted.


[source: photo by Maddalena Delli for K-words.it]

BROWSE THROUGH THE WEBSITE AND FIND OUT:

Why and when to visit Florence and Tuscany
What to see in Tuscany, its cities, towns, art and countryside
Where to go: special interest itineraries and visit ideas
Insiders' tips on what to do in Tuscany, events, folklore, sports
Accommodation options and where to stay in Florence and Tuscany
A taste of Tuscany: typical cuisine, fresh local produce and glorious wines
Shopping tips, where and what to buy in Florence and Tuscany
Tourist information offices and services in Florence and Tuscany
Getting there and moving about: flights, trains, buses, bike and car rentals
Practical info to make the best of you holiday: maps, weather, etc.
Books about Florence and Tuscany, travel guides and travelogues