---

---

---

---

Holiday Guide: Tuscany

The Italian region of Tuscany comprises scenery ranging from the mountainous inlands to the sandy coast, from the stretching green vineyards to the lone cypress trees. Tuscany, or Toscana in Italian, is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and home to some of the world's finest art. Its artistic heritage is nurtured and celebrated throughout the region in museums and art collections that include painting, sculpture and architecture. The Tuscan area is also noted for the famous Florentine steak, its production of olive oil and for the fine Chianti wines.

The provinces of Tuscany consist of Arezzo, Florence/Firenze, Grosseto, Livorno, Lucca, Massa-Carrara, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato and Siena.

What to See and Do

To get to the heart of Tuscany and of its capital, Florence, you must visit the famous Uffizi Gallery. In the Botticelli Rooms can be seen the Birth of Venus and the Primavera. Elsewhere in the gallery hangs Leonardo da Vinci's The Annunciation as well as works by Rubens, Caravaggio and Michelangelo. The museum only allows small groups in at a time, so to avoid queuing for many hours book a specific viewing time in advance.

The Medici Chapels are a part of the San Lorenzo complex in the Florence region. The main architecture was completed in 1524 although the sarcophagi sculptures were worked on by Michelangelo until 1533. You can view his completed works of the allegories of Dawn and Dusk, Night and Day, the Madonna and Child, as well as the symbolism which is said to be influenced by Michelangelo's own beliefs.

If it is religious architecture that inspires you, the San Michele Church at Lucca offers a unique sight. The higher sections are incomplete due to the lack of money, but the church columns are each individual in their design with spirals, carvings, and even stripes. On a windy day however, you should look to the archangel figure; its hinged wings can move in the breeze. Seeing the glimmer on the statue's ring is said to bring good luck.

One of Italy's most renowned sights is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Construction of the Tower began in 1173 with its original design to be vertical. It is now reopened to visitors having been shut for fear of its instability, and energetic tourists can now climb the 300 plus winding steps to the top.

The mountainous Tuscan landscape has its fair share of castles and castle ruins. One of the most aesthetically appealing is Verrucole Castle in San Romano, Garfagnana. Its position rests about 600 metres high making it possible to protect itself from the areas of the Alps Apuane and the Apennines.

The Apuane Alps themselves present a varied landscape that encompasses woods and fields as well as villages, quarries and beaches. Within the Alps lie around 200 caves, some of which you can explore. The Tecchia di Equi is significant from a paleontological perspective, while the Abisso Enrico Revel at an altitude of 1543m is the deepest well in the world.

Tuscany is the proud home to several National Parks. The Orecchiella Park near Piazza al Serchio boasts wildlife such as deer, Royal eagles and mouflon which is thought to be related to the sheep. The park contains a number of rare flora as well as fauna, particularly in its Botanical Garden that follows from the Visitor Centre.

When to Go

May: The springtime Festa del Grillo is a cricket festival held in Florence to celebrate the good luck emblems of spring. Children collect or buy crickets in little wicker cages and everyone enjoys a picnic in the park. Crickets that sing are meant to be auspicious, as is the tradition of releasing the crickets at the end of the festivities.

June: The ancient Game of the Bridge is a tradition of Pisa dating back to 1568. A symbolic battle is fought over ownership of the Pone di Mezzo which stands over the Arno River between the four historical divides of Pisa. Wearing 18th century costumes, teams must push a 7 tonne trolley to the opposite side of the bridge. The Game is accompanied by celebrations of folk music and culture.

July and August: For one day in each month the stunning city of Siena is taken over by crowds of pandemonium. Seventeen neighbours partake in the Palio Horse Race which lasts only a few minutes but is great cause for celebration. The race takes place to honour a vision of the Madonna that was once seen in the area. It truly lives up to its name as a horse race as the first horse to cross the line is declared the winner, whether its rider is still present or not.

At the lake of Torre del Lago the Puccini Festival of opera also takes place during these months. Giacomo Puccini came to Torre del Lago in 1891, and the festival began a few years after his death following his request. Every summer night time outdoor concerts feature some of the grandest names in opera.

November: The enormous outdoor tasting extravaganza that is the Festival of the White Truffle takes place in San Miniato. The San Miniato truffle is a rare form, and its kind is celebrated in a huge food festival that sees the truffle taking the throne in display in the Piazza del Duomo.

Where to Shop

Italian fashion is legendary, from the designers that create the clothing to the Italians themselves that wear them. The secret is however that throughout Tuscany there are plenty of designer factory outlets where you buy last season's quality clothes for big discounts. In Florence the designer outlet The Mall has designs from Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hogan and La Perla, and lays on a shuttle service to its stall. At Montevarchi, halfway between Florence and Milan, the Prada store is hidden.

To purchase some replicas of the fine art you will have seen in Tuscany or to track down some unique designs by local artists is not difficult. For example, the Romanelli Gallery in Florence reproduces sculptures in bronze, as well as by traditional Lost Wax methods. Florence is also home to Oro Due, a fine jewellers creating wholly hand made designs in 18 carat gold in the traditional Florentine style.

If you wish to explore some local markets to get a feel for the region, the monthly Lucca market specialises in furniture that ranges from utilitarian peasant designs to creations by French artisans that came with Napoleon's war. Other collectables that can be found here include handmade lace and antique ceramics. The market at Prato draws antique hunters for its books and linens.

Within the famous region of Chianti you will be spoilt for choice of lush vineyards where you can buy Chianti wine from the grower. The Chianti region itself extends through a considerable part of Tuscany and is divided into seven districts. In Greve, Podere San Cresci produces Chianti Classico alongside red and white table wines and fine olive oil.

Where to Eat

Art, fashion, wine and now food; Tuscany has plenty to offer the discerning holidaymaker. The basis of Tuscan cooking involves simple, fresh ingredients sourced locally doused with plenty of extra virgin olive oil. As well as the many pasta dishes, you will often find fish and game, such as hare or wild boar.

Starting in Florence, the Trattoria ZaZa is a hospitable eatery specialising in traditional Tuscan cuisine on a menu that includes stracotto, agnello, and cacciucco. With its outdoor seating and located next to the leather markets it creates a pleasant atmosphere.

To sample some renowned Florentine steak, Fiaschetteria-Trattoria Maria is open at lunchtimes, and cooks its 2lb t-bone steak rare. For something lighter, their menu also includes the vegetable soup and bread dish Zuppa di Verduna. The place is popular with the locals so get there early to avoid the queue.

Ristorante I’Toscano can be found by the old cigar manufacturing factory. Their dishes include peposo, a traditional meal of Impruneta, which was a Renaissance pepper stew. There is also a help-yourself crostini section.

Pisa is home to Antica Trattoria da Bruno, a restaurant that aims to create an atmosphere of intimacy. Specialising in fish and mushroom dishes including pasta e ceci and grilled fish caught from the Tyrrhenian sea.

Ristorante la Mora aims to provide a combination of traditional and contemporary cuisine. Based near Lucca, it offers a range of fish and game dishes and makes Tuscan bread, wine, and oil on site.

Also in the region of Lucca is Ristorante All’Olivo. Presenting both a la carte and set menus, it has veranda seating that is usable all year round.

What to do at Night

Tuscany's restaurants open until quite late, so you can finish your meal just before heading out to one of the bars to begin your night. The bulk of the nightlife is located in Florence. While there are restaurant –bars elsewhere, they tend to be quieter affairs and more respectable establishments.

In Via dei Renai, Zoe is a trendy bar and club that is frequented by young locals as well as many students. Universale Firenze is the most recent addition to the area's nightlife. Covering 3 floors and 1600 square metres, it boasts two bars, a restaurant, concert hall and more. The door entry and dress code is quite stringent however.

The gay nightlife is taking off well in Tuscany. Ma Ma Mia is a popular gay club that attracts a crowd both gay and straight creating a friendly, lively atmosphere. The outside dance floor is only small, so the crowd tends to overflow onto the pavement and beach, capturing passers by.

Other lively bars and clubs include the gay bar Tin Box Bar in Florence, Insomnia in Pisa, and Lo Scorpione in Arezzo. For some more risqué adult entertainment, Fandy is a strip club located in Arezzo.