A territory in small doses: general information, how to get there, geography, tourist opportunities, art, culture, gourmet cuisine, sport, nature and economy
General information
Tuscany extends over the heart of central Italy. The capital city is Florence, which is almost 300 km from Rome, the Italian capital. It has a surface area of 22,992 sq.km, with over 3 ½ million inhabitants and a density of about 155 inhabitants per sq. km. Despite the fact that it is surrounded by the Apennines, with imposing, mountainous massifs, the region is mainly hilly and has vast plains. Tuscany is especially known for the works of art present in its cities and for the beauty of its landscape. Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Pistoia, Prato, Massa, Arezzo, Grosseto, Livorno are the capitals of the provinces.
How to get there
Getting to Tuscany is easy thanks to the excellent connections that the region enjoys. The airport system includes the main airports of Florence and Pisa, with national, European and international flights. Tuscany is crossed from the north to south by the A1 motorway. Florence is connected to the Tuscan coast thanks to the A11. Important roads are the A12 (from Pisa to Genova to the north and Livorno to Rosignano Marittimo to the south) and the A15 that crosses the north-west extremity of the region, the Lunigiana. As well as the motorways, we find great communication roads and historical axis roads such as the Via Aurelia, Via Cassia and the Via Clodia. The main railway line is the Milan-Rome line that from north to south touches the Tuscan cities of Prato, Florence and Arezzo. There are numerous ports, even touristic ones. From the ports of Piombino and Livorno ships set sail for Corsica, Sardinia, Elba and the numerous islands of the Tuscan archipelago.
The territory
The territory is very varied and richly coloured, with a continuous rolling of green and fertile hills like those of the Chianti, often dominated by the undulating ridges of the Apennines and by the summits of the Apuan Alps. Mount Amiata, an ancient and now extinct volcano, stands out between the provinces of Siena and Grosseto; the Metalliferous Hills separate the inland Pisano area of the Maremma in the south; the Pisan Mounts stand out between Pisa and Lucca, and the Pratomagno, almost completely surrounded by the Arno River, divides the Apennine part of the Arezzo area, the Casentino, from the Higher Florentine Valdarno. And finally, Mount Cetona rises at the south-west extremity of the province of Siena, separating the Val d’Orcia from the Val di Chiana. The Arno is the most important river. The plains are mainly in the southern central area. The coastline is more than 300 km long and presents rocky coasts and headlands alternated with long stretches of beaches decorated with pinewoods. The 300 sq.km of the archipelago’s islands also make up part of the territory.
What does it offer?
Florence alone would be enough to promote this region as one of the most-loved destinations by tourists throughout the world. But Tuscany also means Siena with its Piazza del Campo and the legendary Palio; Pisa with her Leaning Tower and the Baptistery; Arezzo with her Parish of St. Mary; Livorno with its old fortress; Lucca with her historical walls; Chianti with her sweetness and the traditional viticulture. Also extremely fascinating is the so-called Minor Tuscany, scattered with little villages of a medieval atmosphere: San Gimignano, Fiesole, Volterra and Montepulciano. Pienza, daughter of the Renaissance, the historically rich beaches of the Versilia, the unique natural jewels of the Elba Island and of the entire Tuscan archipelago. Without forgetting the coasts of the Argentario or the wild heart of the Maremma, rich with agritourism resorts. For fitness lovers, on the other hand, are massages and treatments among the hot waters of the spas of Saturnia (Grosseto) or those of Montecatini (Pistoia), to regenerate both mind and body.
Wellbeing
Tuscany is the most thermal Italian region. Her spas are an interior voyage to feel good and in harmony with oneself. Hot waters rich in natural elements, spontaneous springs and pools. The thermal establishments are the new health temples. Saturnia, Montecatini and Chianciano, to name but a few: places where the natural beauty is enhanced by renewed structures and exclusive spaces for golf and sports.
Art and culture
Tuscany is universally known for her richness of monuments and works of art. Florence, Lucca, Pisa and Siena are famous throughout the world. Less well-known, but also rich in art are Arezzo, Carrara, Pistoia and Prato. There are also many minor centres, some of which are true, perfectly preserved, historical villages that hold invaluable works of art: Cortona, Fiesole, San Gimignano, Pienza, Montalcino, Montepulciano and Volterra.
Gastronomy
From fish, through soups, to meat. The tasty Tuscan cuisine ranges from the Finocchiona (aromatised pork) to Livorno’s caciucco (fish soup), right up to the Pisan cèe (new-born eel). A menu full of treats such as soppressata, prosciutto ham, ribollita soup, bean and lard soup or spelt soup. Among the pasta dishes: pappardelle pasta with hare ragù, tomato pappa, black rice. The Florentine steak is sumptuous, the mixed roast excellent, while, among the desserts, cenci, panforte and cantucci must be tried.
Sport
Tourists on bikes, but also on horseback; tourists that play golf, go canoeing, dedicate themselves to climbing, or quite simply follow the calendars of sporting events. The tourism-physical activity couple is very strong in Tuscany. Here the traveller can get to know the territory in a non-conventional, deeper and more sustainable way. Tuscany is an ideal land for cycling and trekking lovers and sailing, canoeing and golf enthusiasts.
Nature
Soft hills, the chromatic play of the fields, farmhouses and cypresses. But not only that. Tuscany is also surprising with her snowy summits, ponds and lagoons; the Mediterranean scrubland that pushes down to graze the sea; the woodland; the countryside marked by the thousands-year-old work of man. Without forgetting the parks and natural reserves: the Tuscan archipelago, the Casentino forests, the Apennines, the Apuan Alps, the Maremma and the whole uncontaminated area of Migliarino-San Rossore-Massacciuccoli.
Economy
The region’s economy is mainly based on the service industry, principally supplied by tourism. However, in Tuscany there are many industrial districts scattered around the territory that deeply affect the local-scale economy (marble, leather and biotechnologies). Also agriculture and breeding, thanks to the high quality typical products (wine, oil and cheeses) are of considerable importance. The Tuscan cigar is famous throughout the world, produced with Kentucky-type tobacco leaves cultivated in the Val di Chiana.
General information
Tuscany extends over the heart of central Italy. The capital city is Florence, which is almost 300 km from Rome, the Italian capital. It has a surface area of 22,992 sq.km, with over 3 ½ million inhabitants and a density of about 155 inhabitants per sq. km. Despite the fact that it is surrounded by the Apennines, with imposing, mountainous massifs, the region is mainly hilly and has vast plains. Tuscany is especially known for the works of art present in its cities and for the beauty of its landscape. Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Pistoia, Prato, Massa, Arezzo, Grosseto, Livorno are the capitals of the provinces.
How to get there
Getting to Tuscany is easy thanks to the excellent connections that the region enjoys. The airport system includes the main airports of Florence and Pisa, with national, European and international flights. Tuscany is crossed from the north to south by the A1 motorway. Florence is connected to the Tuscan coast thanks to the A11. Important roads are the A12 (from Pisa to Genova to the north and Livorno to Rosignano Marittimo to the south) and the A15 that crosses the north-west extremity of the region, the Lunigiana. As well as the motorways, we find great communication roads and historical axis roads such as the Via Aurelia, Via Cassia and the Via Clodia. The main railway line is the Milan-Rome line that from north to south touches the Tuscan cities of Prato, Florence and Arezzo. There are numerous ports, even touristic ones. From the ports of Piombino and Livorno ships set sail for Corsica, Sardinia, Elba and the numerous islands of the Tuscan archipelago.
The territory
The territory is very varied and richly coloured, with a continuous rolling of green and fertile hills like those of the Chianti, often dominated by the undulating ridges of the Apennines and by the summits of the Apuan Alps. Mount Amiata, an ancient and now extinct volcano, stands out between the provinces of Siena and Grosseto; the Metalliferous Hills separate the inland Pisano area of the Maremma in the south; the Pisan Mounts stand out between Pisa and Lucca, and the Pratomagno, almost completely surrounded by the Arno River, divides the Apennine part of the Arezzo area, the Casentino, from the Higher Florentine Valdarno. And finally, Mount Cetona rises at the south-west extremity of the province of Siena, separating the Val d’Orcia from the Val di Chiana. The Arno is the most important river. The plains are mainly in the southern central area. The coastline is more than 300 km long and presents rocky coasts and headlands alternated with long stretches of beaches decorated with pinewoods. The 300 sq.km of the archipelago’s islands also make up part of the territory.
What does it offer?
Florence alone would be enough to promote this region as one of the most-loved destinations by tourists throughout the world. But Tuscany also means Siena with its Piazza del Campo and the legendary Palio; Pisa with her Leaning Tower and the Baptistery; Arezzo with her Parish of St. Mary; Livorno with its old fortress; Lucca with her historical walls; Chianti with her sweetness and the traditional viticulture. Also extremely fascinating is the so-called Minor Tuscany, scattered with little villages of a medieval atmosphere: San Gimignano, Fiesole, Volterra and Montepulciano. Pienza, daughter of the Renaissance, the historically rich beaches of the Versilia, the unique natural jewels of the Elba Island and of the entire Tuscan archipelago. Without forgetting the coasts of the Argentario or the wild heart of the Maremma, rich with agritourism resorts. For fitness lovers, on the other hand, are massages and treatments among the hot waters of the spas of Saturnia (Grosseto) or those of Montecatini (Pistoia), to regenerate both mind and body.
Wellbeing
Tuscany is the most thermal Italian region. Her spas are an interior voyage to feel good and in harmony with oneself. Hot waters rich in natural elements, spontaneous springs and pools. The thermal establishments are the new health temples. Saturnia, Montecatini and Chianciano, to name but a few: places where the natural beauty is enhanced by renewed structures and exclusive spaces for golf and sports.
Art and culture
Tuscany is universally known for her richness of monuments and works of art. Florence, Lucca, Pisa and Siena are famous throughout the world. Less well-known, but also rich in art are Arezzo, Carrara, Pistoia and Prato. There are also many minor centres, some of which are true, perfectly preserved, historical villages that hold invaluable works of art: Cortona, Fiesole, San Gimignano, Pienza, Montalcino, Montepulciano and Volterra.
Gastronomy
From fish, through soups, to meat. The tasty Tuscan cuisine ranges from the Finocchiona (aromatised pork) to Livorno’s caciucco (fish soup), right up to the Pisan cèe (new-born eel). A menu full of treats such as soppressata, prosciutto ham, ribollita soup, bean and lard soup or spelt soup. Among the pasta dishes: pappardelle pasta with hare ragù, tomato pappa, black rice. The Florentine steak is sumptuous, the mixed roast excellent, while, among the desserts, cenci, panforte and cantucci must be tried.
Sport
Tourists on bikes, but also on horseback; tourists that play golf, go canoeing, dedicate themselves to climbing, or quite simply follow the calendars of sporting events. The tourism-physical activity couple is very strong in Tuscany. Here the traveller can get to know the territory in a non-conventional, deeper and more sustainable way. Tuscany is an ideal land for cycling and trekking lovers and sailing, canoeing and golf enthusiasts.
Nature
Soft hills, the chromatic play of the fields, farmhouses and cypresses. But not only that. Tuscany is also surprising with her snowy summits, ponds and lagoons; the Mediterranean scrubland that pushes down to graze the sea; the woodland; the countryside marked by the thousands-year-old work of man. Without forgetting the parks and natural reserves: the Tuscan archipelago, the Casentino forests, the Apennines, the Apuan Alps, the Maremma and the whole uncontaminated area of Migliarino-San Rossore-Massacciuccoli.
Economy
The region’s economy is mainly based on the service industry, principally supplied by tourism. However, in Tuscany there are many industrial districts scattered around the territory that deeply affect the local-scale economy (marble, leather and biotechnologies). Also agriculture and breeding, thanks to the high quality typical products (wine, oil and cheeses) are of considerable importance. The Tuscan cigar is famous throughout the world, produced with Kentucky-type tobacco leaves cultivated in the Val di Chiana.
