Tuscany has long been a desirable travel destination because of its rich artistic culture, unparalleled landscapes, and internationally heralded food and wine. From stately mountains cradling a vast hinterland to its nearly 400 miles of shimmering coastline, the activities and attractions in this Italian region are endless.
Plan an olive oil tasting in Chianti
Olive oil from the coveted Chianti Classico appellation is equally as delicious on the palate as the world-renowned wines from this region. To demystify the millennial tradition of transforming olives into liquid gold, the Pruneti family organized olive oil tastings in its storefront, located in charming Greve in Chianti. Swirl, taste, and analyze your way through a selection of the highest grade of olive oils (EVOOs) while sharpening your food pairing skills—a takeaway that keeps on giving. Afterward, enjoy seasonal dishes like pureed chickpea soup with a glass of wine to round out your sensorial awakening.
Admire Arezzo’s style
Every first Sunday of the month residents converge on Piazza Grande for the vintage open-air market in Arezzo, Italy. Photograph by Maria Triolo, Shutterstock
Arezzo’s a city its residents embrace with irrepressible gusto. Roughly equidistant between Siena and Florence, this architectural jewel built its wealth on goldsmithing. On the first weekend of the month, join stylish Aretini on a quest for treasure at the open-air antiques market in the historical center, one of Italy’s oldest and largest. Recharge in one of the bistro-style establishments lining Corso Italia or revel in Piero della Francesca’s magnificent frescoes and Cimabue’s luminous Crucifix in Basilica di San Domenico. Indulge in hearty Tuscan fare at the storied Buca di San Francesco, a glitterati favorite since 1929.
Get medieval in Monteriggioni
Atop a hillock, minuscule Monteriggioni’s fortified walls and 14 watchtowers set the stage (A-list directors have filmed here) for its medieval festival held in July. The ceremony enfolds jocular street performers, artisans plying handicrafts, and a costumed historical procession. Partake in a sumptuous banquet featuring period-inspired dishes from the castle and the cottage. On closing night, watch dazzling fireworks illuminate the Tuscan countryside.
Tour a marble quarry
Sculptors work to create marble masterpieces in the historic Nicoli Sculpture Studios, which has been in operation for more than 150 years in Carrara, Italy. Photograph by Alessandro Gandolfi, Panos Pictures/Redux
Carrara marble has reigned supreme in the region’s northwest corner bordering Liguria for centuries. Today, over 70 quarries mine the precious stone in the Apuan Alps basin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of unrivaled biodiversity. To appreciate the luminosity of Michaelangelo’s David, take a guided tour of an open-air quarry—abstract works of art in themselves—to see extraction techniques in action. More adventurous gourmands can try melt-in-your-mouth Lardo di Colonnata, a Slow Food Presidium, aged in marble caves for up to 10 months. In Carrara, admire stunning marble craftsmanship and sample chewy calda, a savory, unleavened chickpea pancake.
Pair great wine with great architecture
If wine is the elixir of deities, one must build a temple. Some of Tuscany’s most prestigious wineries—a network of 14 wine “cathedrals” scattered across the region—did just that by enlisting acclaimed architects to create sustainable, visually stunning structures that exalt the natural landscape and the great wines produced within. In a nod to the nearby sea, Tenuta Ammiraglia’s angular lines recall a ship’s bow while Cantina di Montalcino’s curvaceous exterior and stunning cellar blend tradition and innovation. If you have time to visit only one, Antinori nel Chianti Classico is worth the trip.
Cruise the historic Setteponti
A meandering drive along the nearly 40-mile-long Seven Bridges Route and the city’s din fades away. Straddling Florence and Arezzo provinces under the gaze of the Pratomagno massif, you’ll coast through cultivated hills and picturesque hamlets with stunning panoramas of the Arno Valley. Pievi, rural churches, sprang up along this thoroughfare, their austere Romanesque facades a reflection of the harsh conditions in which isolated communities once lived. In Loro Ciuffenna, one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, traverse terraced olive groves to reach the Pieve di Gropina, embellished with fantastical carved figures that mystify and delight. Drive to the hamlet of Chiassiaia for mouth-watering Schiacciata, or dine year-round at the charming, family-owned osteria Il Canto del Maggio for thoughtful farm-to-table cooking paired with small-production wines.
Trek of the Argentario Promontory
Castelmarino is the oldest watchtower located in the Maremma Nature Park in southern Tuscany. The 32- to 49-foot-tall defensive towers were used to look out for potential pirate attacks between the 15th and 18th centuries. Photograph by Fabio Lamanna, Shutterstock
South of Grosseto, the Maremma Natural Park unfurls to your right, an oasis of unspoiled nature. Beyond, the Argentario peninsula juts into the Tyrrhenian Sea— back in the day it was a strategic stronghold for a succession of foreign rulers. Porto Santo Stefano should be your base for exploring crystalline beaches and hidden coves along the coastal route sprinkled with watchtowers. Traverse its interior for sweeping views of the mainland and Tuscany’s Archipelago or try one of these trails. During warmer months, stay at Torre di Cala Piccola and dine on elevated Maremman cuisine inspired by land and sea. A glass of Vermentino in hand and you may never want to leave.
Rejuvenate at a traditional thermal spa
Since Etruscan times, Tuscany’s thermal spas have been a ritual for treating ailments and soothing the soul. Immerse yourself in the regenerative, mineral-rich waters at one of over 20 thermal spas in stunning settings, most within easy reach of major cities. With its elegant courtyard pool, Bagno Vignoni’s therapeutic waters soothed road-weary pilgrims and illustrious figures like Lorenzo de’ Medici. Steps from Siena, Terme Antica Querciolaia’s seven pools range from tepid to toasty for year-round dipping. This spa near the Etruscan Coast is an invitation to explore major archeological sites, miles of pristine coastline, and nearby Bolgheri’s acclaimed wineries.
Try this one-day, five senses tour in Florence
Embark on a sensory overload by visiting Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti, home to the oldest market in Florence, Sant’Ambragio, where vendors sell produce, meat, wine, fish, spices, and more. Photograph by Simone Donati,TerraProject/contr/Redux
Whether you’re a repeat visitor to Italy’s Renaissance capital or planning your first trip, consider taking a multi-sensory tour of the unique and oh-so-local, easily doable in a day. See an exhibit at Palazzo Strozzi, the city’s premier showcase for contemporary art and culture. Cross the Ponte Vecchio and enter the olfactory paradise at Museo Villoresi, a museum dedicated to the art of perfumery. Taste quintessential dishes like pappa al pomodoro at Florentine-favorite Cibrèo located in the Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood. Warmed by Vin Santo, catch live jazz and new music amid 17th-century frescoes in this intimate venue tucked away in Piazza del Carmine. Bookend your day by stepping across the elegant Ponte Santa Trìnita, destroyed and rebuilt after World War II and one of the city’s most enduring symbols of resilience.
Getting around
From the U.S., travelers can take a connecting flight from Europe to Pisa International Airport or Florence Peretola. Florence’s sleek tramway runs between the airport and the city center; the recommended method for visiting major sites. If traveling to points beyond, explorers should reserve a rental car at the airport, or consider hiring a private driver for hassle-free sightseeing to popular destinations. Travel by railway between major and mid-sized cities or hop on a regional train, regionale, to explore smaller towns. For deeper exploration of the region’s treasures, ferry service between the mainland and the enchanting Tuscan Archipelago runs on a seasonal schedule.
Where to stay
Downvalley from the historic Sette Ponti Road, Tenuta Il Borro offers luxury accommodations in a breathtaking landscape. Owned by the Ferragamo family, this prestigious Relais & Chateaux property offers 10 rooms in the historic villa, which includes 38 beautifully appointed suites in the medieval village, among other guest options. Whether horseback riding, wine tasting, or strolling the manicured grounds after a thoughtfully prepared repast—the estate operates a gourmet restaurant and a bistro—this is Tuscan hospitality at its highest expression.
From April to October, tranquillity seekers can fully embrace a slower approach to travel at Campo Sasso, a three-bedroom, lovingly renovated farmhouse situated in Chianti Classico. Its owners, an expat couple who produces wine and olive oil in addition to aging cheeses, offer guests authentic, immersive experiences that exalt Tuscany’s bounty. Relaxed luxury describes regal Palazzo Tiglio, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World that seamlessly blends in with daily life in the charming hillside hamlet of San Pancrazio.
Tuscany-based Gia Marie Amella is a freelance writer and co-founder of Modio Media, an award-winning video and television production company.
