Toscana

Porto di Livorno

Tuscany is a unique region with an historic and artistic heritage of priceless value preserved in its marvellous cities of art. Siena is considered the only living model of a modern city and every year is host to a unique event involving folklore and tradition which thrills adults and children alike: the Siena Palio which takes place in the famous Piazza del Campo. Florence is home to masterpieces known throughout the world such as the Uffizi, the Church of Santa Maria in Fiore, Pitti Palace, Ponte Vecchio bridge, and Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce churches.

Another undisputed reference linked with Tuscany and also with Florence and its district is the prestigious Chianti area with its typical hilly landscape alternating vineyards and olive groves, rows of cypresses, castles, cottages, ancient parish churches, villas and gardens.

Lucca has many palaces and ancient homes and Pisa - an important university city and famous world-wide for its leaning tower in charming Piazza del Duomo - has a wealth of artistic treasures including Roman and Gothic churches. Arezzo – one of the most important Etruscan cities – has numerous incredible monuments such as the amphitheatre.

A holiday in Tuscany also means wellbeing and health. This region is home to the highest number of thermal baths in Italy, whose waters enriched with natural elements were even well-known in ancient times. Montecatini Terme, Chianciano, Saturnia, San Giovanni on Elba Island and the baths at Lucca and San Cascina Terme are just some of the more common thermal baths for those looking to rediscover interior balance and get in physical shape.

However, Tuscany is also nature, seaside and nature reserves. If you are looking for long endless beaches, high society and fashionable places, then Versilia is the tourist destination for you. If offers many renowned places and ideal beaches even for younger guests, with a slowly sloping seabed, multicoloured seaside amenities and clubs, bars and restaurants patronised by tourists and by personalities from the world of show business. There are some 20 km of unbroken beaches with over 400 seaside amenities – not to mention kilometres of public beach. The climate is moderate, also thanks to the natural barrier provided by the Apuane Alps. Of the numerous prestigious events taking place along the coast of Versilia, the Viareggio Carnival is without a doubt one of the most well-known in Italy and is loved by both adults and children. During the festivities, the city is flooded with music, masks, and enormous floats up to 30 m high.
Other very interesting tourist destinations are scattered along the Riviera Apuana – 15 km of equipped beaches protected by the green pinewoods and the mountainous chain of the Apuane Alps. Marina di Carrara and its quarries must be toured, and Cinquale, followed by the Malaspina castles and other fortresses such as Aghinolfi di Montignoso, which was completely restructured and can be toured. Boat trips are organised from the Riviera towards Cinque Terre, Portovenere and Lerici. Climatic conditions comprising short mild winters and long temperate summers along with the nearby seaside and mountains make this area the ideal holiday destination both in high or low season.

Costa degli Etruschi - Archivio APT Costa Etruschi

There are also many charming inlets along the Etruscan Coast, dotted with several well-known seaside resorts offering hospitality and qualified services. These local waters have also been awarded the European Union’s Blue Flag for its quality. This incredibly rich environment reveals parks and protected areas, botanical reserves, faunal refuges populated by rare and valuable species, thick vegetation comprising deep pinewoods and woods embracing the hills. The Bolgheri Oasis, Magona Park, Rimigliano Park and Sterpaia Park are just some of the treasures that are a part of the naturalistic heritage of the Etruscan Coast.

Bibbona is precisely on the Etruscan Coast; it is also the ideal destination to experience a holiday in touch with nature. Its typical ancient medieval town rises just a few kilometres from Marina di Bibbona, which thanks to a mild climate, tranquillity and beautiful scenery, has become a well-known seaside town for a relaxing holiday surrounded by nature. The presence of two marvellous pinewoods also makes it the ideal place for baby tourists. Its clear water has been awarded the Blue Flag and its fine sand beach, typical sand bars with Mediterranean scrub and characteristic dunes make it truly unique.

The Etruscan Coast is the ideal place for bicycle enthusiasts looking to get in touch with nature and provides many paths suited for amateurs and professionals alike. Bibbona has become the ideal destination for cycle tourism. In fact, many teams travel here to train thanks to its particularly mild climate all year round and to the conformation of its territory whose hills and plains provide a wide range of routes with little traffic.
However, cycle tourism is possible throughout the region and not just along the Etruscan Coast. Specifically, the Riviera Apuo-Versilese has the ideal territory for cyclists, so much so that many national and international champions train here year round.

Moving over to the archipelago, Elba Island is the preferred destination for those who love rocky seabeds, a crystal-clear sea and unforgettable diving not just during the main summer months, but in low season too. Holidaying families on the third largest island in Italy can enjoy many isolated bays with magnificent rocky seabeds whose typical marine flora includes octopuses, lobster and morays.

Elba meets everybody’s needs as it offers the seaside, mountains, woods and hills. Its mild average annual temperature is 15.7°C with highs of 24.3°C and lows of 9.7°C. The primary town on the island is Portoferrario. It is fortified on all sides and is home to some interesting buildings worth taking a tour of. The most well-known seaside resorts include Marina di Campo where modern tourist equipment, a charming beach and large pinewood provide relaxation and cool relief on hot summer days.

Torre della Meloria - Archivio APT Arezzo - Andrea Barghi

The Tuscan coast is not only a summer destination. Sports and outdoor holiday lovers travel to the coast and to the Tuscan archipelago in the spring too, to participate in numerous sports. This territory’s extraordinary sea, thermal waters, outdoor sports facilities, hotels and specific services for any sports activity provide endless choices. Underwater activities and water sports such as sailing, sports fishing, canoeing and kayaking alternate with cycle tourism and golf (the coast has many 9 and 18-hole courses). There are also several trekking paths and riding trails with organised tours throughout the region year round.

No one leaves Tuscany without cherishing its cuisine which is known and appreciated all over the world. This simple and genuine gastronomy comprises just a few ingredients which are skilfully combined to provide truly memorable dishes. Everyone knows Tuscan bread, which is rigorously made with no salt, baked in many shapes and is used to prepare excellent hors d’oeuvres such as panzanella bread salad and fettunta garlic bread. There is also ribollita or Tuscan soup made with beans, cabbage, spinach, tomatoes, stale bread and prosciutto bone or pork rind, all seasoned with extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper.

Second courses include common hare meat, which should be tried in its “in dolce forte” version aromatised with wine and accompanied by a dessert made with pine nuts, raisins and plain chocolate.

Fish-based dishes include three types of baccalà or dried salt cod (baccalà ai porri, baccalà alla maremmana or baccalà fiorentina).