Top 10 Things To Do – Your Tuscany Villa Holiday
1| Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most famous monuments in the world but seeing it on photos really doesn’t do it justice. To really experience the tower and its surroundings, you have to go there for yourself. Read More.
2| Florence and the Gallery of Uffizi
It would be sacrilege to step foot in Tuscany without a few nights in the beautiful city of Florence, a city of spectacular art and gourmet cuisine. Read more.
3| Siena and Piazza Del Campo
Siena is one of Italy’s most beautiful medieval cities and you can catch a train from Florence to Siena in less than 2 hours. The biggest square in Siena is Piazza Del Campo and it is known worldwide for its famous annual horseracing event – if you manage to catch this (held in July and August) you will get to experience the electrifying atmosphere as locals cheer on the horses and enjoy a huge street feast. Read more.
4| The Medieval Town of San Gimignano
If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Tuscany’s busiest cities but still want to soak in the culture and architecture of ancient Italy, we would recommend a day or two in the striking medieval town of San Gimignano. This walled commune is small enough to explore in one day and the medieval buildings just look incredible against the hilly backdrop. Go to the Piazza Cisterna at night and see it light up after sunset.
5| Wine Tasting in Chianti
You’ve probably heard about the incredible food in Tuscany – and we can honestly say that there’s no exaggeration here. Although we enjoy food from all regions, many travel writers and critics will tell you that Tuscan cooking trumps all other cuisines in the world. Unsurprisingly, the region also excels in award winning wines. So if you’re a bit of a wino, head to the Chianti area and take a wine tasting tour. Be sure to visit Val delle Corti, Villa Pomona, Fontodi and the off-the-beaten-path 5-acre Le Boncie.
6| The Beaches of Monte Argentario
If you love the Amalfi Coast, you will love the Etruscan Coast just as much. In fact, you may love it even more when you realise that this part of the Italian coast is still pretty much untouched by tourist footfall. Read more.
7| Snorkelling off Elba Island
Just off the Etruscan Coast is Elba Island, a secret little island where sealife is abundant. Renowned for the large variety of different seabeds, Elba Island is the perfect place for a snorkelling adventure. Capo Sant’Andrea, which is known to the locals as the “island within an island” is beautifully preserved and has a huge array of both flora and fauna; the water here is wonderfully clear and with depths of around 10 metres, it’s extremely safe for even beginners.
8| Rolling Hills of Val d’Orcia
For post-card perfect sights, you simply cannot miss the Val d’Orcia countryside. You’ll have seen photos of these famous hills before, and even if you just pop by for half a day, it’s worth it just to take in the breath-taking sights of what so many epitomise as the “real Tuscany”. The landscapes are spectacular and we recommend heading there at sunset.
9| Saturnia Thermal Springs
If you want a day of relaxation, take a trip to Manciano to visit the Saturnia Thermal Springs. The warm, sulphurous waters of Saturnia date back to Etruscan and Roman times, and they are said to have healing properties that can soothe and heal a number of ailments. If you’re looking for the ultimate beauty makeover, thermal waters can also help to treat skin conditions and help to naturally exfoliate and deep cleanse the skin.
10| Vie Cave of Sovana
For an outdoor adventure away from the city streets, why not take a little walking tour of the Vie Cave archaeological site in the Maremma area? This incredible site is made up of narrow pathways that were dug out by the Etruscans into mile high tuff stone. Starting from the town of Pitigliano and leading to Sovana, the walk will take you around 1hr 30 minutes on foot.
