The Tuscany region is located in the central part of the Apennine Peninsula, on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The relief is diverse in the region: in the east and northeast, the Apennines, Chianti and Pratomano ridges stretch, from the northern part, the ridges of the Apuan and Ligurian Alps, and along the valley of the river. Arno and closer to the coast begins a small strip of plains.
It is not surprising why this region is so loved by holidaymakers in Italy. Tuscany is one of its most beautiful parts, the birthplace of schools in many areas of architecture and painting, a place of historical unique saturation, as evidenced by the numerous reviews of tourists. This place is the formation of Etruscan civilization, the Apennine ancient culture, the state of the Lombards and the Roman Empire, in addition, the birthplace of the Renaissance. An incredible number of cultural objects are concentrated in this place, due to which as many as 6 cities of the region are included in the UNESCO List (among them the historical centers of Siena, Florence, Pienza and San Gimignano, Val d'Orcia Valley and Pisa Square).
Italy, Tuscany: Attractions
Many tourists who come here with pleasure then recall the picturesque town of Volterra with its pinacoteca, the Palazzo dei Priori, the Romanesque cathedral, art gallery, baptistery, Etruscan museum of Guarnacci and the Etruscan arch. In the town of Certaldo there is the opportunity to see the villas of Cetinale, Chigi, Volte Alte, Chela, as well as the castle of Velcaro. Pienza arose by the efforts of Pope Pius II on the site of the former village of Corsignano, whose roots go back to the Etruscan era. This is one of the most picturesque settlements in the region. Its decorations are the Palazzo Piccolomini Palace, which has a magnificent park, the Duomo Cathedral, the Palazzo Borgia (the collections of the Museo delle Cattedrale and the Diocesan Museum are now housed here), the Palazzo Comunale, Ammannati, Cardinal-Atrebatense and Gonzaga Town Hall, the church Francesco (the oldest in the city, built in the eleventh century), in addition, the grottoes of Monticchiello and the monuments of Pieve Consignano.
In Lucca, the sixteenth-century ramparts, the Roman amphitheater, the churches of San Fernando, San Michele, Santa Maria Forisportam, the pinacotheca, the eleventh-century cathedral of San Martino, as well as the magnificent villas of Torrigiani, Mansi, Garzoni di Pesca and Marlia with their magnificent gardens. In Pisto it is worth seeing the churches of San Andrea, San Domenico, San Giovanni Fourcivitas , San Francesco and Madonna del Umilta. In Arezzo, the Piazza Grande is interesting, the church of Maria della Piave, the palace of Fraternita dei Laichi, the palace of the bishop, the loggia of Vasari, in addition, the church of San Michele, Sant Donatus, Santa Maria in Gradi, the Basilica of San Domenico and San Francesco, the Cathedral of St. Agustin and a huge number of other architectural monuments. Each of these towns causes genuine delight among vacationers, who then share admired reviews with all their friends.
Resort Tuscany
The Tuscany region in the minds of tourists is mainly associated with the triangle Siena-Florence-Pisa. These once warring and powerful republics have become a true focus of medieval Italian life. There are no republic data for a long time. But outside the power of man and time, there remained a bewitching climate, sea and mountains of the Mediterranean, which Italy can give to vacationers.
Tuscany in the summer is an opportunity to kill three birds with one stone with a well-aimed shot at the same time, devote time to history, see the Tuscan Maremma (including thermae and Saturnia). No wonder about the region you can see mostly only admired reviews! You can also sunbathe on the luxurious beaches. And Italy is famous for them! Tuscany coast provides vacationers with a chic, wide, sandy.
To sea!
For some this will be a revelation, but in Tuscany (Italy) there is a sea - the Tyrrhenian Sea. Consequently, there are resorts, reviews of which also cause interest in this region. Forte dei Marmi has long been preferred by show business stars, European aristocrats and illustrious fashion designers, who are ideally suited for relaxation in Italy (Tuscany). The coast in Marina di Carrara and Marina di Massa is simpler, and the public too, with more hotels, and the beaches are more authentic. But in Monte Argentario, the yachtsmen manage. In addition, there is the island of Elba with seven dozen beaches, where there is the opportunity to go diving and snorkeling. Italy (Tuscany) is famous for this all. Resorts in the region will be considered in more detail below.
Impressions in Livorno
Livorno, the “ideal city” of the Renaissance, is famous for the Venetian area with a dense network of canals and a huge number of old buildings, the shrine of Montenero, the Mascagnano Museum, the monument to Ferdinando the First Medici, Castello Nuovo and Castello Vecchia. Therefore, the impressions of vacationers from staying here are only the most vivid.
Attractions Prato
Here you can see the Cathedral of Santo Stefano, the Palace of Pretorio, Castello del Emperor (ancient castle), the church of Sant'Agostinho, Santa Maria delle Carcheri, San Domenico, San Francesco, San Fabiano, as well as San Vincenzo (monastery). No wonder many tourists are attracted to this particular city in Tuscany, which they are happy to tell all their friends. Italy as a whole is full of attractions, but here they are concentrated very densely. In Massa you can see the Malaspina Castle, on the Piazza Aranci the Palazzo Ducale Palace, the Cathedral, Marina di Massa (a picturesque port) and Alpi Apuan Pietro Pelegrini (mountain botanical garden).
Nearby Carrara today is famous for the Palazzo Ducale palace and the cathedral.
Idyll in Chianti
Once in Tuscany, you need to visit the Chianti region for at least two days, which many vacationers advise here, try the wine of the same name, and enjoy the view of old castles and hills. Here you can spend the night - most of the castles currently operate in hotel mode, although there are more familiar hotels here. Tuscany (Italy) provides its guests with high-quality service. At the same time, amazingly trained personnel are astonishing, foreseeing the wishes of their guests. Basically, they have shops selling bottled Chianti, olive oil and other gourmet things, which makes this region famous and the whole of Italy famous. Tuscany, reviews of which can be found exclusively admired, pampers vacationers with its freshest olives and aromas.
Tuscan islands
They stretch between Corsica and the coast of the region. Judging by the reviews, the greenest, largest and most visited among them is the island of Elba. Today it is considered part of the National Park of the Tuscany archipelago and a prestigious resort area, which is famous for its olive and eucalyptus groves, picturesque beaches, the Baths of San Giovanni, the churches of Forte della Stella, Misericordia and Santissimo Sacramento, the fortresses of Forte del Falconone and Portol , the monastery of Madonna-Montserrat, the Palazzina dei Mulini (Napoleon’s link took place here), as well as the villa of San Martino, in which his museum is located today. The coast of the island is completely built up by elite resort areas, among them Capiloveri, Portoferraio, Porto Azzurro, Lacona, Procio, Rio Marina, Cavo Marciana, Campo del Elba, Marciana Marina, Marino di Campo and Poggia stand out especially. It is not surprising that many famous personalities like Tuscany (Italy) so much, a vacation in which is difficult to compare with anything.
Giglio Island, lying near Cape Argentario, is a paradise for divers, as it is a rock of granite, which abruptly goes into the sea. Many of the scuba diving enthusiasts then gladly talk about this place. The rocky coast of the island alternates with small beaches, while the ancient towns of Giglio Castello, Giglio Porto and Campez are famous for their excellent cuisine. The island of Capraia is located off the coast of Corsica and is known to many for the picturesque lake that occupies the crater of the volcano.
Giannutri is famous for its untouched nature and incredibly beautiful sea, which so attracts romantics. The miniature Gorgon island, which lies opposite Livorno, is incredibly beautiful, while it is unavailable for visiting (there is a prison in this place). The same fate befell the flat little island of Pianos near Elba and, in addition, the island of Montecristo, which lies between Corsica and Giglio.
The Amazing Cities of Fiesole
This is a small town in Italy, which is located very close to Florence - between them the distance does not exceed 10 kilometers. In this ancient town, which appeared in the sixth century BC. e., the remains of the fortress walls of the dwellings of the Etruscans, as well as the amphitheater and ancient baths, a legacy of the legendary Roman period, could be preserved. Incidentally, theater performances and concerts are still held in the amphitheater, which vacationers here later talk with enthusiasm for a long time.
All the main historical and architectural sights of the town are concentrated in its center, on Sq. Mino da Fiesole - Episcopal and Pretorio palaces, the Cathedral of San Romolo. Nearby is the Bandini Museum, where you can get acquainted with the stunning sculpture and painting of Italian masters of 13-15 centuries.
San Gimignano - a territory of luxury
It is a city of magnificent palaces and magnificent medieval towers, which Italy is famous for. Tuscany has collected a huge number of monuments, including San Gimignano. This attracts thousands of tourists to the city annually, having read reviews about the city from the very beginning. In the palace of the Palazzo del Popolo there is an art gallery with works by Benozzo Gozzoli, Lippi, Pinturicchio and other masters of the school of painting in Florence. The city also has a museum of religious art, a wonderful archaeological museum, the main city museum, which consists of 10 exhibition and spacious halls. Another interesting place in which the faint of heart is advisable not to meddle is the Museum of Torture and Torture.
Incidentally, the historic center of this city is included in the UNESCO list.
Such an unusual Lucca ...
Many people like the city of Tuscany. Italy as a whole is able to amaze and surprise vacationers. An example of this is Lucca. This Tuscan town is often called the "city of 100 churches." In fact, there are a great many of them. Built in different eras, they were miraculously preserved to the present moment, while others have the opportunity to see only in the form of ancient ruins.
Of great interest is the Cathedral, located on Piazza San Martino, the Church of San Giovanni, the Basilica of St. Fredian, San Pietro Somaldi, as well as other historical and architectural buildings.
Lovers of Renaissance art need to go to the National Museum in order to admire the works of Bronzino, Tintoretto, Giordano, while fans of leisurely long walks will be interested in a wide shady alley that stretches along the fortress wall of Lucca.
Famous siena
The city, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, is located in the Chianti Valley, famous as the main center of winemaking in the region. Thanks to its ramparts, he was able to maintain his own medieval appearance, which is so loved by many vacationers in the country of Italy. Tuscany generously provides tourists to fully enjoy these views.
Its central square, Piazza del Campo, is the focal point of the city's life - once the townspeople gathered here, wishing to solve important political issues, as well as to celebrate any events. Currently, there are popular Palio races that take place twice a year.
On the square you can admire the magnificent Cathedral, famous for the Fountain of Joy, while visiting the Civico Museum - its exhibits display stunning frescoes by Simono Martini. A stunning experience will also remain after visiting the works of Siena painters at the National Pinakothek, in addition, tasting the best Italian wines in Enoteka.
Pisa Attractions
The city, which is located on the Tyrrhenian coast, is primarily famous for the architectural white marble Square of Miracles, which includes the Baptistery, the famous Leaning Tower, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore. Near the square there is also the Campo Santo cemetery with holy land, which was brought from Jerusalem in the 13th century by ships.
An 11th-century Basilica of San Pietro a Grado is also an interesting architectural landmark of Pisa - the legend says that it was erected where the Apostle Peter landed , traveling from Constantinople to Rome. The University of Pisa is famous here - it is one of the most prestigious and oldest educational institutions in the whole world. Studied here, and after taught Galileo Galilei.
Also noteworthy is the botanical garden, which was founded in 1544. It is an example of a traditional Renaissance garden. Therefore, this place, judging by the reviews, is loved by all fans of architecture and history.
Italy, Tuscany: Florence
Stunning Florence, located near the border between Emilia and Tuscany, was founded in the 59th century BC. e.
At the very beginning, the town was just a settlement for legionnaires, and by the eleventh century, due to its convenient location at the intersection of trade routes, it had completely transformed, becoming a major craft and trade center in which the famous da Vinci and Michelangelo, Machiavelli, worked and lived in different eras. and Galileo, Petrarch and Dante. No wonder you can not find a single negative review about this city.
Acquaintance with the city must begin with the squares of Florence, which are a kind of open-air museums. It is interesting to see Piazza Signoria, densely laden with the works of famous Renaissance Italian sculptors, as well as Piazza Duomo with the Giotto's bell tower and the ancient baptistery.
Arriving here, you should definitely visit the country's most popular museum - the Uffizi Gallery, which presents one of the most complete European collections of fine art of the Renaissance, look at the palaces of Vecchio and Pitti, the original statue of David in the Academy Gallery and, of course, Boboli Gardens - this is one of the most famous parks in the world.
Tourists reviews
People who once visited this great country forever retain warm memories of it in their hearts. Regardless of whether this trip was business in nature or was a romantic trip, tourists first of all note the hospitality and friendliness of Italians.
Hotel staff deserve a lot of kind words, who perform their work efficiently and professionally.
Enthusiastic reviews are received by Italian culinary specialists, who impress with their exquisite dishes not only in expensive restaurants, but also in small cafes.
Without a doubt, with special delight our compatriots speak about the unique historical and architectural monuments of this country. In addition, they celebrate well-designed and interestingly conducted excursions to memorable places.
It is hardly worth saying that a vacation in Italy causes only the most pleasant emotions. Russians admire the level of service at the famous Italian resorts.
We could not find negative reviews about our stay in Italy. Perhaps they exist, but there are so few that they simply get lost in a sea of thank-you words.