Getting to Tuscany

As we’ve mentioned before, Tuscany is no stranger to tourists so getting to this region from almost anywhere in the world is pretty straightforward. With two international airports,

Galileo Galilei International Airport in Pisa and Amerigo Vespucci Airport (also called Peretola Airport) in Florence, you can reach the region’s major cities without any trouble at all. Book in advance and you may be able to get some amazing cheap flight deals too.

Getting around Tuscany

One of the most popular ways to travel around the region is by car and many travellers prefer the freedom of being able to explore different towns without the restrictions of public transport. There are a number of car rental companies and you can pick up and drop off at the two international airports in Florence and Pisa.

If you would prefer to use public transport, there are both bus and train services available. Fast trains link up the larger cities such as Florence, Pisa, Sienna, Lucca and Grosseto whilst slower trains link up the smaller towns.

Weather

Summer is undoubtedly the best time go to Tuscany. The summer season begins in April and lasts until October, with temperatures reaching 30°C and more during the hottest periods. High summer (July and August) can be extremely hot, humid and crowded so if you’re looking for a more relaxed trip, try visiting Tuscany during the low season. The low season is between November and March where temperatures are much cooler. Not only will popular parts of Tuscany be less crowded but you won’t be caught out by peak prices on travel and transport either.
If you want to catch the first weeks of summer without getting caught up in the tourist rush, we would recommend flying to Tuscany in April and early May. Temperature highs could be up to 28°C during these months, making it a glorious time to visit.

Regional Food & Wine

Tuscany is recognised worldwide for its food and wine excellence. So needless to say, you won’t have a bad food experience when holidaying in this region of Italy. The secret to its culinary success lies in its history of “Cucina Povera”, or what we might call “poor cooking”. And this just proves that in many cases, simplicity is better. The concept of inexpensive food, unfussy flavours and the freshest ingredients makes Tuscan cuisine one of the finest in the world. If you want food cooked with honesty, prepared and served in a traditional way, look no further than the stunning region of Tuscany…

Tuscan Dishes to Try

Tuscany is truly “foodie heaven” and you’ll be hard pressed to find a bad eatery anywhere. For delicious and affordable street food (found in major cities such as Florence) we would recommend Lampredotto which is tripe often served in a bun or the various pizza stands you will find around the cities. In restaurants, order Panzanella (cold bread salad) or Crostini Toscani to start – or try something more filling such as Cacciucco (fish stew) or the famous Florentine Steak. There are also some great regional cakes such as Castagnaccio (chestnut cake), Buccellato (fig cake) or Cantucci, which are perfect as an afternoon snack or for finishing off a meal.

Famous Wines of Tuscany

Most of the wines made in this region are red, descending from the Sangiovese grape and many of Tuscany’s wines carry the DOC or DOCG label. Some delicious red varieties to try include the Chianti DOCG, Rosso di Montepulciano DOC, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Bolgheri DOC, Monteregio di Massa Marittima DOC, and the Val di Cornia DOC. If you prefer white wine, be sure to try the Montecarlo DOC, Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG or the Bianco di Pitigliano DOC.

Frittelle Festival, Montefioralle (March)

This festival, which takes place every March on St. Joseph’s Day in Montefioralle was designed for foodies. Celebrating the deliciously moreish fried rice cakes, this day is all about coming together and enjoying street-food together. Commencing at 3pm, rice cakes will be fried in a huge communal cauldron and the atmosphere is always electric.

Calcio Storico Fiorentino, Florence (June)

Head to the region’s amazing capital on June 24th to watch as fabulous fireworks fill up the night sky in celebration of the city’s patron saint, St. John the Baptist. During the day, there will be a historical parade starting at Santa Maria Church together with an ancient sport called Calcio Storico.

Palio Di Siena (July and August)

The famous horse racing takes place twice a year, on July 2nd and August 16th, in the large square of Piazza del Campo. Turning the edge of the square into a racing track, the whole of Siena will turn up to watch. The atmosphere is incredible and a huge street feast is prepared and enjoyed by all before the race begins.

Giostra Del Saracino, Arezzo (September)

For a little sneak peek into the country’s medieval past, how about this fun jousting event which takes place on the first Sunday in September? The Giostra Del Saracino tournament is held every single year and is fantastic to watch. It’s great fun for the whole family and a great insight into Italy’s rich history.

Carnavale, Viareggio (January)

Carnavale is a lively event which brings locals together to celebrate and indulge in delicious food before the start of Lent. The carnival celebrations take place in the city of Viareggio and include pageants and parades, flower shows, fireworks – and of course, plenty of food and wine.