Villas in Tuscany

Tuscany exudes the air of its ancient past, being home to several Vacations’ worth of sights for lovers of antediluvian heritage and archaeology. Vetulonia is arguably Italy’s most important Etruscan city. Discovered in the 1800s, it houses the remains of myriad Etrusco-Roman homes, the town’s fortified wall and several tombs. In Volterra, archaeology lovers will find many of Tuscany’s most formidable Roman treasures, such as the magnificent amphitheater just below the city center. But the highlight is perhaps the hugely impressive ruins of the ancient Roman town of Cosa in the far south of Tuscany, with cyclopean walls, a forum and acropolis.

The Tuscan coast is synonymous with deep blue sea, clear waters, picturesque coves, wild nature, verdant pine forests, stunning views, ancient watchtowers, dramatic cliffs, watersports and delicious food! But for outright beauty, nothing beats Maremma in the south of Tuscany, with its turquoise waters, thrilling sunsets and the evergreen forest of the Uccellina Park nature reserve.

Romantic Tuscany beings you dreamy landscapes, gorgeous sunsets, and timeless cities like Florence and Lucca. Romantic adventures abound in Tuscany – balloon over the countryside, submerge in a thermal bath at Saturnia, visit the opera under the stars at Torre del Lago, and take a walk hand in hand around Pienza, where the streets speak of love. Join lovers from all over the globe and generations of Florentines in the mecca to Piazzale Michelangelo to declare your love. The view over the city is breathtaking and the park highly conducive to amorous walks.

The Orcia Valley is a true paradise where the landscapes of Tuscany reach their full splendor. The hills with medieval stone villages, the large houses that are reached by roads lined with cypress trees, the endless fields of vineyards, wheat and sunflowers all combine to form a color palette that will leave an indelible impression.

Lucca, known as the city of ‘the 100 towers and the 100 churches’, is a jewel that fully preserves the authenticity of medieval times. The 15th century walls that surround the city are fully intact, and its historic center is a World Heritage Site, containing an ancient Roman amphitheater from the 1st century.

Although Pisa is known worldwide for its leaning tower, it also boasts other attractions that place it among the best places to see in Tuscany, such as the wonderful Duomo and the Baptistery and the Monumental Cemetery.

Wine, oil, fruits, cheeses, jams, charcuterie, truffles, liqueurs, are just some of the myriad typical Tuscan products and specialities. In every town and city you visit, make sure to try out the Mediterranean and Alpine flavors of that region, without of course forgetting to taste the world-beating Italian coffee, ice cream and…. pizza.

At the foot of the Apennines, in a green valley, in the province of Massa-Carrara, a true promised land for nature lovers, with gorgeous hiking trails to explore, such as the truly amazing white marble quarries, with their characteristic lunar landscape.

The Chianti wine region invites you to its castles and cellars to taste these magnificent globally-renowned wines. Tour the area at your leisure and visit wine-makers for free tastings, stay at lovely agriturismi and dine at authentic trattorias.

Six places in Tuscany have been designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO due to their artistic and cultural wealth, including the historic center of Florence, the historic center of San Gimignano, the historic center of Siena, the historic center of the city of Pienza and its accompanying Orcia Valley, and the Piazza del Duomo in Pisa. Few places in the world have so many globally important heritage sites in such a small place!