Things to Do and See in Tuscany

For those of you who are planning your trip to Tuscany, Italy, our blog is just the thing to help you figure it out! Full of things to see in Tuscany and unique things to do in Tuscany, whether you want to visit classic tourist attractions or try out more obscure activities and get off the beaten tourist path, you're in the right place to make sure your trip to Tuscany is the vacation of your dreams. This is our guide to Tuscany.

Whether you are going to be based in the tuscan countryside, amongst the rolling hills and picturesque villages and hilltop towns, and are looking for day trips, road trips, and outdoor activities, or if you are planning on staying in one of the towns and cities and want to see the likes of the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the Uffizi Gallery, we have articles with all of the information you might need about particular tourist attractions, as well as lists of things to see and do in different destinations.

We want you to have the most incredible holiday possible in Tuscany and to make memories that will last a lifetime. There are so many incredible things to do and special experiences in Tuscany. From wine tasting experiences and winery tours in the wine regions of Chianti and the stunning Val D'Orcia to exploring the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Gimignano with its medieval towers. From seeing Michelangelo's David, works by Leonardo da Vinci and other great Renaissance paintings with your own eyes in Florence's multitude of museums to trying your hand at a cooking class or joining a food tour to learn more about tuscan food and wine. From discovering the diverse Tuscan Coast from the city of Livorno to the island of Elba to soaking in the thermal baths and hot springs for free in one of the many spa towns. Or maybe you're interested in even more unique experiences in Tuscany like attending a festival within the historic city walls in Lucca, seeing the tuscan countryside from above in a hot air balloon, going for a horseback ride along a beach and enjoying the tuscan sun and much more besides.

So, if you want to plan a great trip in Tuscany and are looking for things to do and visit in Tuscany, then read on to our travel guides...

  

Monday, July 3, 2023
Palazzo Piccolomini, views
Photo credits: Quinok / CC BY-SA 4.0

There are an endless list of places to visit while enjoying a stay in a villa with pool in Tuscany that could compete for best view but many of these spots are in and around the famously picturesque area known as the Orcia Valley. This part of Tuscany epitomises the renowned beauty of the Tuscan countryside – think rolling green hills swathed in thin bands of fog in the early mornings and lit with golden light in the evenings, pretty and historic villages perched overlooking the valleys, cypresses lining winding roads, vineyards and olive groves stretching out to the horizon. It is an area of true pastoral perfection and one of the best places to enjoy these views, among all the amazing candidates, while staying in a vacation rental in the Orcia Valley, is from the gardens of the Palazzo Piccolomini.

     Read More
Posted in: Architectural Gems, Localities, Must See Attractions, Parks & Gardens, Pretty Views, Siena, Tourist Attractions

  

Friday, June 30, 2023
Negroni

There are various accounts regarding the origins of the Negroni cocktail. One of the most popular suggests that it was invented in Florence in 1919 at Caffè Casoni, now known as Caffè Giacosa. Allegedly, Count Camillo Negroni asked the bartender, Forsco Scarselli, to give his favorite cocktail a stronger kick. The bartender creatively replaced the usual soda water in Negroni's regular Americano with gin. To distinguish the modified version, an orange garnish was added instead of the customary lemon garnish. The drink became quickly popular and the Negroni Family established Negroni Distillery in Treviso, producing a pre-made version of the cocktail sold as Antico Negroni 1919.


Nothing compares to the authentic experience of savouring a freshly-made Negroni while on holiday in Florence so, as you browse our luxury villas in Florence and plan your vacation, try our recipe and look forward to the real thing in the magical setting of that beautiful city...

     Read More
Posted in: Florence, Food and Wine, Localities, Recipes

  

Monday, June 26, 2023
Podere D'Asso

If you are a person who enjoys a vacation experience that is luxurious and set within elegant and sophisticated surroundings and you are interested in a getaway in Tuscany, then Podere D’Asso might be the perfect spot for you. Nestled in the heart of the region, in the lush green surroundings of the Orcia Valley (the epitome of the famously beautiful Tuscan countryside), just 2 kilometres from San Giovanni D'asso and a mere 20 kilometres from Montalcino, this idyllic retreat offers a dream haven for anyone seeking peace and quiet, easy access to the attractions of Tuscany, and a taste of life in this magical part of the world. 

     Read More
Posted in: Localities, Orcia Valley, Pretty Views, Tourist Attractions, Villa Spotlights, Villas and Farmhouses

  

Friday, June 23, 2023
Festa dell'Unicorno
Photo credits: Criss! / CC BY 2.0

Vinci, the birthplace of beloved the Renaissance Master, Leonardo da Vinci, is an exceptionally beautiful and picturesque part of Tuscany. Surrounded by lush forests, vineyards, olive groves, and rolling hills that are often swathed in atmospheric fog early in the morning, the town is made up of charming old stone buildings topped by terracotta tiled roofs and overlooked by a fairytale castle (which plays host to a Leonardo Museum) and the church of Santa Croce, with its pretty campanile.


Those who browse our Tuscany Villas and find a villa in Vinci, however, who really want to lean into the fantasy and fairytale vibes of the city should plan their visit for the end of July, when the Festa dell'Unicorno will be taking place. Dedicated to fantasy culture, this annual event sees those picturesque streets become even more unreal with the addition of elves, angels, demons, orcs, dragons, dinosaurs, pirates, and famous characters from popular shows and movies and books wandering about. 

     Read More
Posted in: Concerts & Festivals, Events, July, Pretty Views, Tourist Attractions

  

Thursday, June 22, 2023
Canals in Livorno

Livorno is home to another Venice, the Venezia Nuova, or New Venice of Tuscany. A stunning coastal town in Tuscany, this gem of a place features a series less-famous but undeniably lovely canals of its own.


Throughout the year, there is plenty to recommend the town for a vacation in one of our Tuscany Villas but there are a few annual events that make time staying a villa in Livorno and exploring the city all the more appealing. One of the most exciting of these events takes place each August and sees the canals made yet more lovely with music, performances, street art, light shows, markets, and more. The Effetto Venezia, or Venetian Effect, is an event with an almost 40 year tradition and is a thrilling and colourful festival that makes Livorno into one giant work of art and party.

     Read More
Posted in: August, Concerts & Festivals, Events, Localities, Tuscan Coast