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Tuscany is the most well known Italian region world wide, famous for its art, history and evocative landscapes. Strategically placed in the centre of Italy, it stretches over the slope of the Apennines and reaches the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Tuscan landscape, mainly mountainous and hilly, is one of the most representative images of Italy in the world, but the region also has a plane (the Maremma), long sandy beaches and headlands as well as the small enchanting islands of the Tuscan archipelago.
The whole region is an unrivalled centre of art dating across the centuries, with Etruscan ruins (in Fiesole, Chiusi, Volterra, Populonia), Roman monuments, Romanesque architecture and impressive Gothic cathedrals. Of paramount importance is the exceptional artistic heritage of the Renaissance, the 15th century reawakening of art and culture.
The Tuscan landscape is mainly mountainous and hilly, with a flat area besides the sea (the Maremma). The coastline offers both long sandy stretches of beach and headlands. The small enchanting islands of the Tuscan archipelago are just off the coast.
Cities: Florence, Siena, Pisa, Arezzo, Pistoia, Lucca, Livorno, Grosseto, Massa Carrara.
Places worth visiting: In addition to art, Tuscany offers outstanding nature sceneries, such as the National Park of the Argentario and the Isola of Elba. In Siena there is the beautiful Piazza del Campo.
Florence is the capital of Tuscany and one of the pearls of Italy, its wonderful masterpieces and great works of architecture enriching the everyday life of what is now also a vibrant modern city. One of the most important collections of paintings in the world can be found in the Uffizi Gallery and other magnificent paintings can be seen in the Gallery of Palazzo Pitti, hosting among others Tiziano’s and Raffaello’s masterpieces. The city is famous for its Duomo, the Baptistry and many other wonderful churches, for Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio and Ponte Vecchio, where you can still find fifteenth-century shops.
In Florence there are the fifteenth-century shops on the Ponte Vecchio
Lucca is surrounded by its medieaval wall still intact which encloses the charming town centre with its many churches, stylish shops and historic monuments.
Lucca still seems today like a labyrinth of squares and lanes which get narrower and more concealed the closer one gets to the heart of the centre. Visitors to Lucca not only admire the historic beauties of the town but can also indulge their palates in the mouth-watering local specialities. One can go shopping in the Via Fillungo (the most famous shopping mile of the centre) where boutiques, antique shops, coffee bars and “trattorias” characterize the townscape.
Very near to the Fillungo is the place drama lovers went to the theatre during the period of the Romans. Centuries later houses were built on the foundations of this imperial theatre and so the oval shaped “Piazza del Anfiteatro” was born. This square is one of the most picturesque in the whole of Italy and one of the most well- known in the whole world. It is a “must” for every tourist because you can still see the remains of the original town wall.
The surrounding areas of Lucca offer tourists a wide spectrum of possibilities on how to spend a holiday: beautiful strolls on the nearby hills, visits to the art towns of Tuscany, tasting of typical local products such as olive oil and wine, cultural and musical events, festivals in villages and craft fairs which take place throughout the year There is a stunning landscape only a few kilometres from Lucca in the direction of the Garfagnana which boasts beautiful scenery of mountains, rolling hills, cultivated land and thick forests. While driving through the middle part of the Serchio Valley you will discover the hills of the “Brancoleria” with its scattered antique Romanesque churches.
Many characteristic villages such as Pieve a Elici, Gualdo and Montigiano are situated in the municipality of Massarosa, which lies in the North of Tuscany – on the hills between Lucca and the sea. You can take in the amazing views from these villages
Pisa has the Campo dei Miracoli, with the famous Leaning Tower.
Other important cities in the region are Siena, Arezzo, Pistoia, Livorno, Grosseto, Massa Carrara.
In addition to art, Tuscany offers outstanding natural settings, such as the National Park of the Argentario and the Isola d’Elba. In the countryside, among the vineyards and olive groves, are wonderful villages and castles, a reminder of Tuscan life in the Middle Ages.
Tuscan Specialities
bistecca alla Fiorentina huge T-bone steak grilled over aromatic charcoal, arista roast pork, cacciucco fish chowder; triglie alla livornese red mullet cooked with tomatoes and oil, Minestra di Fagioli, La Ribollita, Small birds, such as quail and snipe, wild boar. tuscan olive oil,most famous wines.
Tuscan wines
Chianti, Chianti Classico, Barco Reale di Carmignano, Brunello di Montalcino, Capalbio, Carmignano, , Colli dell'Etruria Centrale, Colli di Luni, Colline Lucchesi, Montecarlo, Montecucco, Morellino di Scansano, Rosso di Montalcino, Rosso di Montepulciano, San Gimignano, Sant'Antimo, Sovana, Val di Cornia or Val di Cornia Suvereto, Valdichiana, Vin Santo del, Vin Santo di Montepulciano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
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Extras |
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The surroundings of Lucca offer tourists a wide spectrum of possibilities on how to spend a holiday: beautiful strolls on the nearby hills, visits to the art towns of Tusca |
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How to get to Lucca: By plane The n |
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Museums near Lucca:
The Cathedral Museum
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Restaurants in Lucca historical centre
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Rent a car in a few minutes: Thanks to a global car rental distribution system we can provide a comprehensive car rental solution to our clients. CarTrawle |
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Visit Florence:
Florence - home of classical Italian and of |
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The Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago began in 1930 according to Puccini's own documented wishes: "…once I would like to come here and listen to one |
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Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Florence : The city's biggest arts festival was founded in 1933 and is hosted at the Teatro Comunale, featuring an internati |
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The Luminara of Saint Ranieri - Pisa: Every year on the night of the 16th of June the enchantment of the Illuminations of Saint Ranieri is renewed on th |
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