Tuscany

Overview

Located in central Italy, Tuscany (or "Toscana" in Italian) is regarded as one of the most beautiful areas in the country. This enchanting land of lush vineyards, rolling hillsides and historic castles, churches and monuments will make you feel as if you were in a fairy tale. Having 120 regions protected for its natural reserves, Tuscany is a flowing terrain of history, culture and artistry.

Tuscany offers a great historical adventure as well as a breeze of comfort. There are thousands of masterpieces, big and small, to be discovered in the villages within this blessed Italian region. Considered to be the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, the artistic heritage of Tuscany includes practically all forms of artistry, from paintings, sculptures, architecture, and of course, their wines. Exquisite wines such as Chianti, Morellino di Scansano and Brunello di Montalcino all come from the vineyards of Tuscany.

Its capital, Florence (or "Firenze" in Italian), apart from being considered as the centre of European trade and commerce, is said to have been either the hometown or residence of about 35% of the most significant European artists of the second millennium.

Tuscany's most notable tourist destinations include Pisa, Florence, Siena, Lucca, the Maremma, the Crete Senesi, the Lunigiana and Garfagnana areas, and the island of Elba. These regions are known for the numerous world-famous tourist attractions they have to offer. A tour of Tuscany however, will definitely introduce you to some of its lesser-known gems, which will likewise hold you in awe of its rich cultural backbone as well as its contemporary brilliance.