Visiting a country as old as Italy can often present some challenges when you are hard pressed for time and need to pick a few places at the cost of missing out on the rest. While most of these destinations have a rich history filled with interesting stories, the time which they have had to grow has made them explode into sprawling masses of human activity. In the Italian region of Tuscany, for example, there are more than ten cities and large towns that call it their home, making it hard for travellers to decide what they’d like to see. To give you a bit of a helping hand, this post will be exploring Tuscany, giving you an idea of what you should see when you arrive.

Florence

Start your exploration with the capital city of the Tuscany region – Florence. First finding its foothold during the Medieval times, this area has always been an important one, with people travelling from all over the world to trade, enjoy the sights, and even show off their passion for fashion. In more recent times, a huge amount of work has gone into preserving and restoring the ancient monuments which make this city much sought after. Florence is a great place to go if you’d like to get a good mix of the old and the new.

Siena

Boasting one of the highest traveller footfalls throughout the whole of Italy, Siena is another great place to vacation when you’re trying to soak up Tuscany. Like Florence, Siena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has this status as a result of the ancient buildings which have been standing here for hundreds of years. A horse race known as Palio is held in this city twice a year, giving you the chance to watch some real local rivalries unfurl.

Chianti

If you like wine, you’ve probably heard of Chianti before. Home to some of the oldest vineyards in the world, this region has a very strong legacy in making wines. There are few places in Italy which can better the quality of Chianti wines. You can visit this area with most Tuscany tour companies, making it nice and easy to get the chance to try some wine tasting. However, you will have to be careful if you plan to drive after your visit.

Pisa

Last but not the least, consider Pisa. Famous for the leaning tower which is a crowd magnet, this city has spent much of its history as a maritime capital. Like many cities with this sort of past, you will find loads of ancient affluence on display, with many of the oldest buildings remaining largely intact. It’s almost a shame that the tower gets so much attention as there are plenty of other unique and interesting buildings in Pisa for you to explore. With all of this in mind, you should be ready to start exploring Tuscany!

Have you been to Tuscany?

Got any recommendations for my readers?

Let me know through your comments below. 🙂

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