Tuscany or La Toscana as it’s called in Italian is undoubtedly a favorite region for many vacationers to Italy. It is a destination that appeals to almost everyone – seniors, honeymooners, families, couples and groups of friends. People travel there all the time, but unfortunately – many visit Florence, perhaps squeeze in Pisa or Siena, and then make a mad dash for Rome or Venice. However, there is so much more to see in this gorgeous land of Cyprus-adorned drives, olive groves and sunflower fields.
Many of the loveliest spots in Tuscany require a little exploration, but they’re well-worth the efforts once you find them! And unlike Rome or Milan, Tuscany is relaxing and very easy to get around. Depending on just how off the beaten path you’d like to travel, the best way to leisurely explore it is by rental car or train.
As this region is bursting at the seams with art history, picturesque landscapes, natural parks, UNESCO World Heritage Sites (6 in total), fantastic museums, hilltop towns, beautiful beaches, Etruscan ruins, thermal springs and world-renown wines, it seems wrong to compress it into one blog entry. For this reason, over the next few weeks, I’ll be doing a 6-part blog series on Tuscany!
Some of this will feature well-known cities and sightseeing attractions, but I’ll also point you in the direction of some lesser-visited places for readers who aim to let loose and drive through the Tuscan countryside in search of an authentic experience or two. This series is for those travelers who intentionally desire to get lost, disconnect and temporarily forget about cluttered inboxes, morning traffic jams and hectic schedules; that’s what vacation is all about isn’t it?
Our first post of the series will feature the Province of Florence. We know we promised to help you discover some unknown areas of Tuscany, but the province’s capital city of Florence is not to be missed and deserves a few days. Besides, even within the city center there is much to see that is often overlooked.
The entire historic center of Florence is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the land was originally inhabited by the Etruscans, the Romans officially founded the city of Florence as a colony over 2000 years ago. The majority of the sights and architectural works that you see today however, came from Florence’s Golden Age in the 15th and 16th centuries. At that time, Florence was then an economic, cultural and artistic powerhouse ruled by the Medici family, a dynasty that gained power and wealth from banking.
As the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence overflows with artistic heritage. This was a city of ingenious Tuscan painters, sculptors and architects. Giotto, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, Michelangelo, Botticelli, da Vinci, Donatello and the della Robbia family all contributed to the treasure-trove housed inside this beautiful city. That being said – below are some suggested sights to check out in Florence, some of which are more popular than others.
1. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, more commonly called the Duomo, is part of a cathedral complex located in the Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square). It contains the masterpieces of Giotto’s bell tower, Brunelleschi’s dome and Ghiberti’s bronze doors on the adjacent baptistery, which are called the “Gates of Paradise.”
2. Mercato Centrale. If you’re looking for an inexpensive, tasty lunch, pay a morning visit to the city’s main food market, home to the best picnic supplies in town! Buy your bread, cured meats, fruit and cheese (pecorino toscano is a personal favorite of mine), and head to the banks of the Arno River for a view of the Ponte Vecchio as you lunch.
3. You will find no finer collection of Renaissance art in the world than inside the Galleria degli’ Uffizi, which can be combined with a short visit to see Michelangelo’s David inside the Galleria dell’Accademia.
4. The Vasari Corridor is a remarkable, covered passageway that was commissioned by Cosimo I de’ Medici in the 16th century. Built in just five months and extending almost a mile, the Grand Duke wanted to be able to travel easily (and undisturbed) from his home in Palazzo Pitti to his government offices in the Palazzo Vecchio. Inside it houses an amazing collection of self-portraits. Unfortunately, this secret corridor is not always open to the public, though it is possible at times to visit the art collection with an advance reservation. Even without going inside however, it’s very easy to see where it crosses over the Arno River atop the Ponte Vecchio and then continues down to the Uffizi Gallery and on to the Palazzo Vecchio.
5. Located just behind the massive, Renaissance Pitti Palace Complex, the superb Boboli Gardens are home to an impressive sculpture collection. After a morning of sightseeing, it’s just about the best place I can think of in town to lie in the grass and relaxingly read a book. You’ll also notice fewer tourists & more locals on this side of the river.
6. Many who come to Florence just for the day hover near the Duomo complex and never make it down to the treat that is the Basilica of Santa Croce. Who’s buried inside this beautiful 14th century church? Answer: Rossini, Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Ugo Foscolo and many more. It’s a very interesting place, (and some great leather shops are located nearby).
7. While there likely will be crowds, if you travel up to the Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset – you’ll understand why. The views of Florence are pretty unbeatable from up here.
8. The Bargello Museum is home to Florence’s top sculpted masterpieces. Inside you will find masterpieces by Donatello, Michelangelo and the della Robbia family.
9. If you happen to be in Piazza Santa Croce at the right time, you might luck out and witness the calcio storico fiorentino festival. This 16th-century ancestor of soccer is played by four teams (in three games) every June in Piazza Santa Croce. Imagine a mix of soccer, rugby and football played by men wearing Renaissance costumes. Pretty entertaining!
Photo by Massimo Sebastio
10. Alas this post is not just about the city of Florence but instead the Province of Florence. So yes, I heartily recommend that you venture out to the countryside to visit some of the spectacular Chianti wine estates as a day trip from Florence.
11. Fiesole is an independent town located just above Florence – high up in the hills. Very easily visited from Florence, the highlight of any visit is to its Etruscan-Roman Archeological area which contains many artifacts and the ancient remains of city walls, bath houses and a Roman theatre.
12. Last but not least- the slow-paced, medieval and non-touristy hilltop town of Certaldo and its gorgeous Old Town merit a visit. Located just under an hour from Florence, consider spending an evening here to see an authentic Italian village, or pass through and stop for lunch on your drive from Florence to Siena.
Please click the respective links for a look at our Italian vacation packages and many sightseeing options in Florence. Now that you have an idea of what to see in Tuscany’s capital city of Florence, stayed tuned for the next part of our Tuscany series, which will spotlight the Tuscan provinces of Livorno and Pisa.
Grazie e a presto!
