The beautiful Tuscany has everything that makes Italy such a beautiful holiday destination: picturesque landscapes, special historical cities, great cuisine, and numerous sights. It has a reason that Tuscany is seen as the region in Italy where “La dolce vita” originates. Discover these places and fall in love with Tuscany yourself.
Monte San Savino
Monte San Savino is a town of almost 9,000 inhabitants and has a small center with many historic palaces and churches where you can stroll around. In the center of Monte San Savino, you’ll find the Palazzo del Monte with its beautiful garden, the covered market hall Logge Dei Mercanti, the Palazzo Pretorio town hall with city tower, and the former monastery of Santa Chiara. Besides that, you can visit some impressive churches like San Giovanni and Chiesa di San Giovanni. Don’t leave Monte San Savino without drinking a glass of wine, since this area plays an important role in the production and sale of wines.
Siena
According to many, Siena is the most beautiful city in Tuscany. It is one of the few larger cities in Tuscany that have remained intact and can still be admired in medieval glory. Siena has so much to offer and tee. Spend a day out walking around the center, settling down on a terrace with a good glass of wine or eating a portion of pasta as they can only make in Italy. A highlight of the city is the Dom (Duomo). It has a richly decorated facade, a striking black and white striped bell tower, and a beautiful floor on the inside.
The Piazza del Campo is the central square of Siena. Here you will find the town hall Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia, the most important bell tower of the city with a height of 102 meters. A little further on you will find in Piazza Salimbeni. Here is the headquarters of the famous Monte Dei Paschi di Siena located which is built in the Middle ages. This is one of the oldest existing banks. On the edge of the center, you will find San Domenico (Piazza San Domenico), a Gothic monastery church whose construction began in 1226.
Arezzo
Another beautiful city with a historical center is Arezzo. This city is mainly known because the world-famous Italian movie La Vita è Bella was shot here. Arezzo is surrounded by hills and has many places of interest. In Arezzo, you can wander through the historic center between the cozy and sloping streets. You can also enjoy a beautiful view. The most famous square is Piazza Grande. From this square, you can walk the La Vita è Bella route. The route takes you past several locations where different scenes from the film were recorded.
Every first weekend of the month an antique market takes place on Piazza Grande. Stroll around the 500 stalls in search of unique antiques and art. Another square that you want to visit is the Piazza San Francesco. In the basilica, you can admire frescoes from the 15th century. The outside is not spectacular, but the inside against it is beautiful and worth a visit.
Lucignano
Lucignano is a village located on a 400-meter high hill. The village is extra special because it is completely walled. Here you can wander and admire the city walls and gates from the Middle Ages. Furthermore, there are some churches to visit like La Chiesa di San Francesco and Collegiata di San Michele Arcangelo. Lucignano is a lively place where many parties and events are organized within the city walls. On the first Sunday of April, there is a large market for flowers, plants, wine products, and regional products. The last two Sundays of May there are parades with flower-decorated carts, which ends with a flower fight.
Lucca
Lucca has been a political pawn that has always fallen into different ruling hands. Thanks to its varied history, Lucca still has a lot to offer. The city wall and the historic center have remained intact. The city wall is 4.5 kilometers long and runs around the historic center. You can walk along the wall and enjoy a magnificent view of the city. You can also choose to climb the Torre dell’ Orologio or Torre dei Guinigi towers for a breathtaking view. Lucca also has several squares (piazzas) that are worth visiting. The Roman amphitheater used to be on Piazza dell’Anfiteatro square. On Piazza San Frediano you will find the oldest and muzzily clad church of Lucca, the Basilica San Frediano. Every day there is a market with books and antiques on Piazza San Giusto. Every third weekend of the month there is a craft market with local specialties. On Piazza San Michele you will find San Michele al Foro with an almost four-meter higher marble archangel, Michael. Each column of the facade has a different color pattern. On the Piazza San Martino is the Duomo San Martino where you can spot a labyrinth.
Firenze / Florence
Florence is the capital of Tuscany and the center of the Renaissance. Nowhere else can you find so much heritage from this period. One of the most famous buildings in Florence is the Basilica di Santa Maria, also known as Duomo. On the other side, you find the smaller Battistero San Giovanni which is famous for its three bronze doors. Another beautiful basilica is the Basilica di Santa Croce. Galileo Galilei, Michelangelo, and Machiavelli are buried here.
Florence is primarily a popular city for art lovers. In the heart of Florence, you will find one of the best art museums in the world: the Uffizi Gallery. Here you can view works of art by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt. You will find a museum for modern art, painting, silver, and porcelain in the Palazzo Piti Palace. Florence has one of the most famous bridges in Italy, the Ponte Vecchio. Here you will find many small shops and stalls. A bit outside the center you will find Piazzale Michelangelo. From this square, you have a view of the city.
Hi! My name is Manon, an Amsterdam based travel junkie who wants to explore at least three new destinations each year. Follow my personal Instagram: @manonheitkamp
