The Tuscan countryside is a thing of beauty. The rolling hills and medieval churches and villages scattered in the greenery of the idyllic region never cease to enthuse the soul.
Among the best loved holiday destinations in Tuscany are the vineyards of Chianti, a beautiful wine and art-rich area just south of Florence. Here visitors can enjoy a spot of wine tasting and rambling in gorgeous landscapes.
Those looking for medieval art should visit the quaint town of San Gimignano and explore its famous towers and the glorious Cathedral (Duomo). The Val D'Elsa region where San Gimignano is situated is also host to several more beautiful little villages well worth a visit, such as Colle Val D'Elsa walled town, Abbadia a Isola, Casole d'Elsa, Mensano and Monteriggioni.
For lovers of art history and architecture, the Etruscan art trail is perfect: the southern part of Tuscany bordering with Lazio is home to extensive pre-Roman cemeteries and evocative archaeological remains of the mysterious civilisation: one of the hotspots for Etruscan art and grand mortuary architecture is The Parco Etrusco at Pitigliano.
Nonetheless, visitors should travel sotuh to the Colline Metallifere region, the location of the Etruscan cemeteries of Volterra, Poggio Buco and Populonia. Visitors can go for health kick in the small thermal town of Chianciano, enjoying healing water treatments if they so wish.
Finally, the scenic rural Val D'Orcia is the site of picturesque hamlets and town such as Montalcino, Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia, Castiglione, Rocca d'Orcia and Bagno Vignoni.