Italy has been a dream destination for many travellers. When you think of travelling to this lovely country, many places come to mind: Venice and its gondolas, Rome, Milan, and of course, Tuscany region. Known for wine and its stunning nature, Tuscany definitely a great choice for your trip to Italy. The place is steeped in culture, history and beauty. Not sure what to do in Tuscany? Fret not. In this article, we will share with you some of our favourite activities to do in this magnificent region in Italy.
- Stay in a Tuscany villa
Staying in a villa makes a very, very big difference to your holiday in Tuscany, as compared to staying in a hotel. For one, you will get to enjoy the utmost privacy, and don’t have to worry about having multiple guests sharing the same premise and facilities. Everything is private to you and your family. The villas upkeep very strict hygiene standards, which is very important during this pandemic time. But that’s not all. Every Tuscany villa is a unique experience itself. You will get to enjoy an incredible view of the Tuscany countryside, or be pampered with the greatest luxury and attended to by a team of dedicated staff who can help you with anything you need. Many of these villas have a private pool with excellent sunset views as well. Check them out!
- Explore the town of Montepulciano
If you love a beautiful town, you are going to have a great time in Montepulciano. Personally, we are in love with the narrow streets, the peaceful, ancient vibe that brings you back to the medieval time, and the charming views of Tuscany. There are plenty of Insta-worthy corners in Montepulciano, so you are sure to have a fun time capturing your photos. There are many things to see here, such as the famous Renaissance church, Tempio di San Biagio, the medieval town square, Piazza Grande a Montepulciano, Sant’Agostino church, the museums and also excellent wineries.
- Explore a Tuscan vineyard
Blessed with great weather and terroir, Tuscany produces some of the best wine in the world. When you are here, you will be greeted by rolling green hills and never-ending vineyards. Wine tourism is popular in this region, so you can easily find a tour where you will get to explore the vineyards and learn about the Tuscan wine making tradition. Many of these come with a wine-tasting event. While many vineyards have become commercialised, we love Sante Marie di Vignoni. It’s a family-run winery that still maintains the tradition and can give you an authentic experience. The wine here is made with great love and care, and you can really feel that from the friendly owner. The wine tours can take from 4 to 8 hours, depending on your interest.
- Relax in a hot spring
Tuscany boasts some excellent hot springs with magnificent views. It’s the perfect place to unwind and immerse yourself (literally) in nature. This will be a unique experience for the entire group that you will talk about for years to come. There are plenty of options for you to choose from. (talkofthetownatlanta.com) Some of the popular hot springs in Tuscany include Acqua Borra, Bagno Vignoni, Chianciano and Bagni San Filippo. Amongst these, we highly recommend Bagni San Filippo, also known as “White Whale”. This hot spring is located in a forest outside of Montepulciano, so it’s best to rent a car to go there. The waterfalls, calcium rocks and the secluded forest make this look like a scene from a fairy tale. Remember to bring along your bathing suit and apply plenty of sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.
- Spend some time in Cortona
Besides Montepulciano, Cortona is another town you don’t want to miss during your Tuscany holiday. This hilly ancient town is a major tourist attraction, and we can easily see why. From Cortona, you will be able to enjoy the unparalleled views of Lago Trasimeno and the Valdichiana. In this town, you can check out Piazza Signorelli, one of the filming locations of Under the Tuscan Sun movie. Etruscan Museum and the main town square of Palazzo Comunale are also interesting places to visit. Cortona is charming, beautiful and filled with character. You will be able to spend several days here without getting bored!
These are just the tip of the iceberg. We hope to have given you a glimpse of what Tuscany is about and some inspirations for your upcoming trip. However, there are plenty more to love and enjoy about this region. Regardless of what you choose to do and what type of holiday goers you are, you can be sure that there’s something in Tuscany that will fit your style. A dream, a fantasy or an adventure, whatever you want, Tuscany will give it to you.
