Tuscany, a region located in central Italy, geographical core of the ancient Etruscan civilization, has its capital in Florence, a city-museum with amazing and priceless architectural works of Renaissance art. The city was home to great Tuscan artists, who gave birth to the Italian Renaissance. Tuscany, a region appreciated for its natural landscapes of incomparable beauty, medieval towns, olive groves and vineyards spread throughout the Val d’Orcia (Montalcino, Montepulciano and Pienza), where wines of great international prestige are produced, as well as for its rich gastronomy. Tuscany is world renowned for its great architectural, artistic and cultural heritage, whose historic centers of San Gimignano, Pienza, Siena, Lucca and Florence are considered World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO
Florence, capital of the Tuscany region, has museums, palaces and churches where priceless works of art by the likes of Michelangelo, Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci are exhibited. Florence celebrates festivities of great historical tradition such as the medieval calcio soccer game between Florentine neighborhoods, the scoppio del carro is celebrated on Easter Sundays at the gates of the Duomo. The medieval city of Siena celebrates in July and August the Palio (horse race that confronts the different districts of the city).
WHAT TO EAT AS A LOCAL
Tuscan gastronomy takes advantage of the seasonality of its crops for the creation of its typical regional dishes, made with simple, genuine, fresh ingredients of great historical tradition; the local markets are a good option to taste authentic traditional dishes of Tuscan gastronomy. Not to be missed are lampredotto, ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, tripe and Florentine steak.
