Tuscany, Italy

Birthplace of the Renaissance...

The rolling hills, medieval towns, mouth-watering cuisine and art-filled cities of Tuscany have captivated people for centuries. Birthplace of the Renaissance, Tuscany is Italy at its best. Enjoy the warm sunshine, beautiful countryside, excellent wine and friendly people. The city of Florence is home to some of the most outstanding art collections in the world. Visit the Galleria degli Uffizi and wander through rooms filled with treasures by Giotto, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Van Dyck, Durer and Tintoretto. Head for the Galleria dell’Accademia to view Michelangelo’s masterpiece, David. Take time to discover all that this wonderful city has to offer.

The countryside around Florence is home to some of the more traditional Tuscan villages and is dotted with luxurious villas built by the Medici during the 15th and 16th centuries. The attractive town of Pisa is home to the world-famous Torre Pendente (Leaning Tower). The tower dates from 1173 and it is thought to lean because of the shifting soil beneath it. It stands in the Piazza dei Miracoli – one of the most beautiful squares in the world and also home to the town’s majestic cathedral.

The countryside between Florence and Siena is known as Il Chianti. Wreathed in vineyards and olive groves, it is here that some of Italy’s best wines are made including the famous Chianti Classico. Journey to historic Siena – one of the most captivating cities in Italy. Most of the city is still surrounded by medieval walls and it is literally weighed down with stunning Gothic buildings and the artwork contained in its many churches and museums. Again time is needed to discover all that Siena has to offer – not least its wonderful cuisine. Take a trip to the Isola d’Elba and lounge on the golden beaches and swim in the azure-blue sea. Napoleon was exiled here for a year in May 1814. The beautiful area of Le Crete lies southeast of Siena. An area of rolling clay hills, medieval farmhouses and cypress trees, it changes colour according to the season – from the light violet of ploughed clay to the green of the young wheat to the gold of the mature crop. Visit the Etruscan sites at Sovana and the Parco Naturale della Maremma – a magnificent stretch of unspoiled coastline in the south of the region.