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Regions of Italy : Tuscany - Toscana
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 Tuscany is a charmed land, equally blessed by the genius of man and
nature, and often by the combined efforts of both. Think of the vineyards:
rows of baby green vines that manage somehow to march in arrow-straight
formation up the gently rolling hillsides, bounded by single files of darker
green cypress trees, snaking sandy roads leading to rust-colored farmhouses
and moss-coated castles, symmetrically rounded hilltops surmounted by towns
so homogeneous as to seem one single building. Every inch of land has been
sculpted, first by the elements and then by generations of inhabitants whose
goals were always twofold: make the land produce as much as possible, make
the land as beautiful as possible. Tuscany enchants us today because it
holds together as a region, from the tiniest hamlet to Florence the
Magnificent. For the living proof, take a short walk one day along the sides
of the Belvedere in Florence: you will leave behind the traffic and suddenly
find yourself strolling down quiet lanes bounded by tall stone walls,
cypress trees and creamy-colored villas. You could be anywhere in Tuscany,
and we dare you not to fantasize about living here. Territory: The region stretches over the slopes of the Apennines,
in front of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Tuscan landscape is mainly mountainous
and hilly, with a flat area beside the sea (the Maremma). The coastline
presents different aspects, offering both long sandy expanses and headlands.
In front of the coast there are the small enchanting islands of the Tuscan
archipelago.
For golf courses Tuscany click here
Cities: Florence is the capital of Tuscany. Other important cities
are Siena,
Pisa,
Arezzo,
Pistoia,
Lucca,
Livorno,
Grosseto, Massa Carrara.
Art: Tuscany is unrivaled as a cradle of all-time art. One can
find examples of every age and style: from the Etruscan civilization (Fiesole,
Chiusi, Volterra, Populonia) to Roman monuments and ruins; from the
Romanesque architecture to the impressive Gothic cathedrals, to the
exceptional artistic explosion of the Renaissance.
Museums: Florence has preserved its masterpieces and great works
of architecture over the centuries. The most important collection of
paintings in the world is offered by the
Uffizi Gallery; visitors can enter
the very interesting Designs and Print Room; the collection of
self-portraits. Great paintings can be seen in the Gallery of
Palazzo Pitti,
with Tiziano’s and Raffaello’s masterpieces. Florence also has the Museum of
the Costume and the Museum of the Carriages; the beautiful Italian gardens
can be admired in the Giardino di Boboli. In the Museum of the Opera del
Duomo the famous "Pietà" by Michelangelo can be admired. Then, there are the
Museum of the Bargello, St. Mark’s Museum, the Academy Gallery and the
Ethnologic Museum Stibbert. Pisa, an ancient Roman naval base and maritime
republic, has the Museum of the Sinopie, which holds the preparatory
drawings for the frescoes, and the National Museum of St. Matteo. Siena is a
well-preserved medieval city; here there are the Civic Museum, which houses
the Histories of Alexander III, the Museum of the Opera Metropolitana and
the Pinacoteca Nazionale, with Senese painting. Tradition and art are strong
everywhere: in Arezzo the Gallery and the Medieval and Modern Museum can be
visited.
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Uffizi - The greatest art gallery in Italy - it's as simple as that.
 Occupying
the top floor of a large building erected by Giorgio Vasari between 1560
and 1580, the gallery has a large collection of Primitive and
Renaissance paintings. Amongst the pieces are works by Botticelli,
Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello, Giotto, Cimabue and Masaccio.
To reserve a Guided Visit to the Uffizi Gallery
click here |
To be visited: In addition to art, Tuscany offers outstanding
nature sceneries, such as the National Park of the Argentario and the
Isola
of Elba. In Siena there is the beautiful Piazza del Campo. In Florence there
are the fifteenth-century shops on the Ponte Vecchio. Pisa has the Campo dei
Miracoli, with the famous Leaning Tower.
Our visit to Tuscany will help you navigate through its many world-famed
attractions, but it will also introduce you to some of its lesser-known
jewels. Italy's most skilled cowboys, for instance. Or a host of colorful
outdoor food markets. Spectacular natural parks. A mystery church, an
ancient Etruscan mineral spa, a dozen Last Suppers in Florence...... and a
thousand narrow farm roads waiting patiently for you to make the wrong turn
and find your own secret treasure, basking happily in the Tuscan sun.
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 Discovering Tuscan Flavours
Tuscany lies the southern region of Italy and is well worth a visit. Start by
visiting the small village of Lari in the district of Pisa, 443 feet (135
meters) above sea level. See the ancient Vicari castle right in the center of
town, also visit Volterra, a city founded by the Etruscans. Earlier in the day
take the opportunity to sample wines and local produce from the area. |
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» PISA Sightseeing Tours Events &
Attractions |
Airport Transfer Pisa |
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Siena
Siena may be the best-preserved medieval city in Italy, thanks to its
conquest by Florence nearly 500 years ago. While the Florentines were busy
launching the Renaissance, the Senese played the role of country
cousins--and as a result, Siena (or at least the walled portion of the city)
still looks much as it did in the Middle Ages.
Many tourists regard Siena as being worth a day trip from Florence or a
half-day stopover on a tour of rural Tuscany. That's a mistake. You should
allow at least two days to visit Siena's major churches and museums, plus
another day simply to enjoy the unique atmosphere of this historic but
lively university town.
Inhabited continuously for over a thousand years, Siena flourished in the
Late Middle Ages when the merchant oligarchy known as "the Nine" spent vast
sums in order to create the most beautiful and impressive city in Tuscany.
The many churches, palaces and military fortifications which survive from
this period bear witness to the magnificence and sophistication of Sienese
civilization. Most interesting are the wonderful black-and-white Gothic
Duomo (don’t miss the magnificent Bernini statue of Mary Magdalene hidden
away in a niche or the dazzling mosaics on the floor), the Palazzo Pubblico
(for its impressive frescoes) and the Torre del Mangia you can climb for a
nice view over the city.
If you’re there at the beginning of July or in the middle of August try
not to miss the world-famous the palio . A tradition dating from the
Renaissance it takes place in the
Piazza del Campo a marvelous shopping
plaza in the shape of a half-shell whose circumference is topped on race day
with a layer of dirt to create a track.
For those interested in nightlife - Siena is a fantastic city in which to
eat - amble into any restaurant and you won't be disappointed.
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Prato
Capital city of the province of Prato since 1993, Prato is situated
61 meters above sea level in the plain which is traversed by the Bisenzio
River between Pistoia and Florence. An important industrial center
(textiles, manufacturing, chemical and mechanical sectors), it possesses
notable Medieval and Renaissance monuments of historical and artistic value.
These are well-conserved thanks to the circuit of walls built in the 1300's.
The Cathedral of S. Stefano, emerging from the pieve of the same name
from the High Middle Ages, was begun in the 13th century by Giudetto da Como
and amplified in Gothic style in the 14th century. The elegant façade with
white and green stripes presents a beautiful doorway ornamented by a
terracotta by Andrea della Robbia. On the right corner stands the Pulpit of
The Sacred Belt. This canopied pulpit was created by Michelozzo in the 15th
century and decorated by seven valuable tiles by Donatello. Alongside the
transept stands the bell tower, which is decorated by bifore and trifore.
The three-naved interior, with green marble columns, conserves its
Romanesque character. Among the notable works of art are the Pulpit by Mino
da Fiesole and Antonio Rossellino (15th century) the grandiose fresco cycle
by Filippino Lippi and Paolo Uccello (15th century), and the sculptured
works by Benedetto da Maiano. In the Chapel of The Sacred Belt, alongside
the 15th-century façade one can admire the frescoes of Agnolo Gaddi and the
Madonna with Child by Giovanni Pisano. Alongside the Cathedral is the Museum
of the Works of the Duomo, located in the Medieval Episcopal Palace. Besides
furnishings and sacred objects, the museum displays paintings, sculptures
and frescoes by Filippino Lippi, Paolo Uccello, and Spinello Aretino. From
the museum, one reaches the characteristic 12th-century cloister, which is
decorated with frescoes, sculptures and marble inlays. Closed Tuesdays.
The central Piazza del Comune is dominated by the imposing Pretorial
Palace, rising out of 13th and 14th-century houses. This building, crowned
with merle-work and decorated with elegant tri-lobed bifore, houses the
Communal Art Gallery. The Gallery exposes important works from the Tuscan,
Neapolitan, Roman and Dutch Schools. Closed temporarily for repairs.
The piazza is enclosed on two sides by the doorway of the Communal
Palace, in which the public can view the Council Chamber (1300's) and the
Gallery of Medici portraits. Only by appointment.
Near the Commune (or Town Hall) is the Renaissance S. Maria delle Carceri,
begun done by Giuliano da Maiano in 1484 and finished by Giuliano da
Sangallo in 1495. The harmonious construction, in the form of a Greek cross
surmounted by a dome, contains glazed terracotta decorated made by Andrea
della Robbia (1492).
In the Piazza della Carceri stands the imposing Castle of the Emperor,
also called S. Barbara Fortress. Built by Federico II in the 13th century,
it is the only example of Swedish architecture in central-western Italy. The
impressive merled building, on a square plan, incloses a vast courtyard
today used for performances. From the walkway on the walls one can enjoy a
beautiful panorama of the city. Closed Sunday afternoons and Mondays.
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 Art Hotel Museo Prato 
Located only 15 minutes from the historical centre of Prato, the hotel is a
pleasant place to stay for business travellers or tourists alike. Guestrooms
include all the standard modern comforts. Guests can have a drink in the
American bar and eat in the Art Restaurant, where they can sample the best
traditional dishes in Tuscany. The hotel offers a swimming pool, fitness centre
and conference facilities.
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Cortona - The Etruscan Town
The Etruscan town welcomes its visitors not only on behalf of the "Lucumoni"
(the ancient Etruscan lords), but also on behalf of its popular patron
saint, Saint Margaret of Cortona along with San Francis of Assisi who
founded the hermitic monastery of "Le Celle" in Cortona.
It was one of the most evolved medieval city-states, still profuse with pure
renaissance forms; The Calcinaio church, Francesco di Georgio Martini's
masterpiece.
The present perimeter is about 3 Km. And it coincides, for almost 2/3, with
that one of the ancient Etruscan town-walls, on which the present walls are
built.
The Etruscan remains can be distinguished from the overhanging walls which
were built during the Middle Ages, because they are made of huge
quadrangular rocks. On the hilltop of the cortonese's hill is the Medicean
fortress required by the Medici family and built by Francesco Laparelli in
1549.
Cortona, hometown to so many famous painters from Luca Signorelli to Pietro
Berrettini da Cortona to Gino Severini. And then the last little secret
about Cortona: some ancient historians suggested that Ulysses was buried
here! It is only a legend, but what an extraordinary one! |
 Corys Hotel Restaurant Cortona
Corys Hotel Restaurant Cortona is located in one of the prettiest parts of
Tuscany. Old Cortona, with its excellent restaurants, shops, museums, churches
and a Medici fortress is a walking distance from the hotel. Lake Trasimeno, just
inside Umbria a short distance to the south, offers boating, fishing and water
sports. There are excellent road links to the Tuscan cities and wine lands and
the railway station too is just 5 kilometres away. This welcoming hotel has 7
well-furnished and spacious bedrooms offering luxurious accommodation and
wonderful views of the surroundings. You can enjoy the panoramic views over
breakfast on the veranda, relax at the bar or dine at the excellent restaurant.
A carefully selected list concentrating on the excellent wines of Tuscany is
also offered.
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Gastronomy
PROBABLY the most famous region of Italy, renowned for its gently rolling
farmland and vineyards bathed in that golden light, the home of Florence and
the medieval university town of Siena. It is famous for its olive oil
(particularly from the elegant city of Lucca which is also known for torta
di verdure, or sweet spinach pie), wine including chianti and numerous
chicken dishes. Eat cacciucco fish soup in
Livorno and panforte fruit cake
in Siena. In the mountains north of Pistoia, chestnuts are grown and used to
make a soft sweet flour that is baked with olive oil and rosemary into sweet
flat castagnaccio cake. Maremma is a favourite coastal wine-growing area
that produces Sassicaia, Ornellaia and Tignanello. |
Italy
Tuscany, known all over the world for its wine and countryside of unequalled beauty. Alternating woods with vines and olive trees, where Romanesque Churches, farmhouses, Villas and Castles of rare beauty are to be found. |
 Afternoon Tour to the Chianti Region with Wine Tasting
While you are visiting Florence, be sure to take a trip to the famous Chianti wine growing region. On this tour you will visit a castle farm and winery to sample a tasting of the prestigious wines they produce. With Chianti located only 40 minutes from Florence, the Afternoon Tour to the Chianti Region with Wine Tasting is a relaxing afternoon outing.
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 Villa Ambrosina Hotel Tavernuzze di Impruneta
The Hotel Villa Ambrosina is set in a peaceful location, in the heart of Chianti, near Florence and Siena. It is also close to one of the most famous Monasteries of Florence known as the Certosa di Firenze. There are 31 guestrooms at the hotel, which are furnished with elegance and provided with air conditioning, private bathroom and other amenities. It also has a comfortable conference room for people travelling on business issues.
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Sofitel
Hotel Florence
Guided
Visit to the Accademia Gallery Florence
Grand
Duomo Hotel Pisa
Private
Walking Tour of Siena - The Golden Years