Visiting Tuscany

Green hills covered with vineyards and olive groves, suggestive views, among rural churches and old farmsteads: the Chianti region is an astonishing territory because of its wine, known all over the world, but also for its small charming villages, like Castellina, Radda, Greve and Gaiole.

Placed on a high hill in the Val d’Elsa, San Gimignano preserves intact its historic center, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overlooked by its famous towers and enriched by palaces and religious sites, San Gimignano is a must-see place during a tour of Tuscany.

The Middle Ages and the Renaissance relive in Siena, where everything is art and tradition: Piazza del Campo with the Torre del Mangia, the Town Hall, the Cathedral and the folklore of the Palio, a tradition since 1656 which takes place still nowadays every 2 July and 16 August.

A medieval village that preserves untouched all its history and beauty: Monteriggioni and its XIII century castle, at the gates of Chianti, are an unparalleled location in Tuscany. Unmissable is a walk along its mighty walls with a view on the surrounding hills.

The city of Petrarca and Vasari, Arezzo is an extraordinary historical and artistic jewel: its churches enshrine frescoes by Piero della Francesca and Cimabue, every year Piazza Grande hosts the Giostra del Saracino and on every first weekend of the month the Antiques Fair.

A nature, art and culture park acknowledged as UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Val D’Orcia fascinates with its pastoral landscape and suggestive old villages, like Montalcino, medieval village well-known for the wine-making of Brunello, and Pienza, a Renaissance gem shaped by Pope Pius II.

Located on top of a hillside between Valdichiana and Val d'Orcia, Montepulciano is renowned for the richness of its vineyards producing the excellent Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG and for its center rich in churches, elegant Renaissance palaces and the wonderful Piazza Grande.

Among the main centers of Etruscan culture, lied on hills offering extraordinary panoramic views, Cortona and Volterra preserve an untouched historical center, full of churches and palaces, rural churches, monasteries and valuable archaeological evidence of Roman and Etruscan age.