Tuscany is a region located in Central Italy. It is broken down into ten provinces: Arezzo, Florence, Grosseto, Livorno, Lucca, Massa Carrara, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato and Siena. The capital city of the region is Florence.

People visit Tuscany for a variety of reasons. It is a vast, beautiful region with unspoiled countrysides and extraordinary landscapes waiting to be explored. The following areas have been classified as World Heritage Sites: The Cathedral Square of Pisa, the historical centres of:  Florence, San Gimignano, Siena and Pienza and the area of Val d'Orcia.

Tuscany has many areas and landmarks that people are already familiar with. The Leaning Tower of Pisa for example, although the town has lots of other Roman ruins for you to explore. The Etruscans are the first recorded civilisation in Tuscany, who built roads as early as the 6th Century BC, and they are an interesting feature to explore today. The farmhouses here are an example of a more traditional way of life, while Saturnia is a great place to go for those looking for a relaxing holiday and spa retreats. The charming town of Lucca is also popular with tourists.

Tuscany is rich in art and culture, considered the place where the Italian Renaissance originated, and where a host of famous artists and scientists hail from. These include Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Puccini and Amerigo Vespucci to name a few and as a result, there are several museums dedicated to the arts and science.

Tuscan cuisine is simple and manages to combine health with taste in its dishes. The bases of many dishes are: vegetables, cheese, bread, seeds, nuts and of course olive oil, sourced from fresh olives that hail from Moraiolo, Leccino and Frantoiano. A popular dish here is panzenella, a type of salad where the ingredients vary widely, but usually have the addition of specific Tuscan bread. White truffles are a delicacy that can be found here in the autumn months, and the beef here is also of exceptional quality. Chianti is a famous wine region, and is a popular place when people to come to visit Tuscany.

There is so much to do in Tuscany the difficulty lies not in finding things to do, but rather where to start! Check out our travel guide for a breakdown of the provinces and more information on towns and cities and the activities available here.

Weather
The weather in Tuscany is generally quite mild, and typical of that in the Mediterranean. Temperatures on the coast and in the valleys are warmer than the higher altitude hills which see more rain.  Summers here are hot and can reach highs of 30oC, sometimes 38 oC- 40oC in the valleys, and it is during this time that Tuscany is the busiest. The best time to visit for those wanted less crowds is just before or after July or August which are the hottest months.

Transport
Tuscany is connected to airlines with its two main airports in Florence and Pisa. Generally, public transport here is excellent, not least to allow visitors easy access to popular and famous landmarks. Regular trains and buses connect to the main cities Pisa, Lucca, Firenze, Prato, Pistoia, Siena and Arezzo, and it is only for more remote areas that using your own transport is advised.

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