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At a glance
Tuscany is arguably the prettiest region in Italy. Like the backdrop of a Renaissance painting, it's emblazoned with seemingly infinite colours and textures. We're talking scarlet poppy meadows and emerald green pastures. Ochre hillsides and orange-roofed villages. Every corner is worthy of a photograph. But away from this rustic scene you'll find some of Europe's most engaging cities, too. Take a trip out to Florence and stare transfixed at Michelangelo's David. Crane your neck sideways to gaze at the angle-defying Leaning Tower of Pisa. Or head to Siena and lose yourself in the rabbit's warren of Medieval lanes and alleys. Tuscany really is special. And what's really great about it is that you shift gear to suit your mood. One day you're strolling through fields with tall grasses tickling your legs and the next you're sipping a cappuccino in a bustling square. Wonderful.
Things to do
Memorable moment...
Montecatini Terme If you thought the spa craze sweeping Britain is a relatively new thing, take yourself along to this place. The 19th century saw an explosion in spa culture and the hot springs here meant Montecatini mushroomed into one of Italy's most en vogue health retreats. Flanked by pristine gardens and immaculate flower beds, the famous Terme Tettuccio spa offers up the ultimate in pampering. It's one of nine spoil-me-senseless delights spread across the town.
Monteriggioni A tiny speck of a hill town, this place finds a home in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. Time seems to have had little effect on Monteriggioni – it's barely changed since the Middle Ages. Tucked within mighty walls, lies a sleepy little village where life drifts by on a go-slow. Imagine dreamy stone cottages with faded green window shutters. A pretty piazza skirted by a handful of small restaurants. And a sprinkling of craft shops where locals proudly display their work. That's this Tuscan charmer in a nutshell.
Apuan Alps The Tuscan Riviera's mighty backbone is this mountain range, which makes for one seriously dramatic backdrop when you're horizontal on the beach. While some of you may be content to just look at them from the comfort of your sunlounger, others might prefer to get over there and explore. You can quite easily hike, bike of pony trek your way around these impressive peaks. But if that sounds too much like hard work, why not pack up a traditional Tuscan picnic and scope out a spot for lunch in the sun?
Pietrasanta If Florence isn't enough to satiate your appetite for art, get yourself along to this place, the artistic capital of the Versilia region. Take a moment to admire the architecture of the Piazza Duomo, which dates back to the 14th century. Amble the pin-thin cobbled streets where craftsmen work on their latest masterpieces. And check out the collection of early sculpture in the town's Museo dei Bozzetti.
Castelfiorentino If sensational countryside is what you're after, track down this tiny town. Set in the Chianti hills, it's surrounded by some of most spectacular natural beauty you're ever likely to clap eyes on. Think rolling hills. Emerald vineyards. Swaying cypress trees. And the odd splash of terracotta where a village appears out of nowhere. Explore to your heart's content, then reward your efforts with a glass or three of the local Chianti. It's heart-skip-a-beat stuff alright.
Beaches
While Tuscany is best-known for its artistic treasures and glorious landscapes, its beautiful coastline shouldn't be overlooked. Offering up flat, sandy beaches, gently lapping waters and chic resorts, the Tuscan Riviera gives you all you could want from a Mediterranean holiday. Cosmopolitan Viareggio is the oldest and largest coastal town and has one of the widest stretches of golden sands in Italy. Nearby Forte dei Marmi is another fashionable resort, characterised by elegant bars, cafes and designer boutiques.
Evening Flavour
Evenings out in Tuscany can be as lively or low-key as you like. If you're looking for peace and tranquillity, head up into the hills where you can enjoy a leisurely al fresco meal beneath the stars in an authentic trattoria. Tuscany's main town and cities are the place to head if you're looking for something a little more uptempo. Siena, Pisa and Florence all have a selection of laid-back bars, while the real party animals tend to gravitate towards Bologna's coast. During the summer months, the Tuscan Riviera is renowned for its bustling but sophisticated nightlife with bars and cafes lighting up its seafront promenades.
Shopping
While the region's many outlying towns and villages boast a variety of local handicrafts and specialities, such as hand-painted pottery and attractively bottled preserved vegetables, Florence dwarfs Tuscany when it comes to retail therapy. For a city of its size, it offers a wealth of stores and products. The shops of Via Dei Calzaiuoli invite visitors to wander around and treat themselves to elegant Italian couture and explore the streets around San Lorenzo market and Santa Croce, which are also ideal for shopping, enjoying delicious snacks or simply strolling around. Florence has a reputation as a top producer of leatherwork and is well known for its fashion accessories including handbags, shoes, belts and briefcases. The city is also well regarded for its jewellery - many of the workshops overhanging the Pontevecchio house expert goldsmiths – and its colourful marbled stationery and notepaper.
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