Visit Tuscany - Tourism and travel tips for your vacation or weekend.

Just 25 kilometres south of Florence lies beautiful medieval Figline Valdermo. The town is strategically located in the Chianti area making day trips to such Italian must sees as Florence, Sienna and the verdant hills of Chianti a real possibility.

Right at the town's centre lies the auspicious looking Logge del Vecchio Spedale Serristori, along with the Church and Cloister of San Francesco with its almost fairy tale feel. You'll find plenty of other historical delights too that will generate that unmistakable connection with the past in Valdarno. 

Never far away is the delightful Tuscan countryside with all its many wonders and allurements from rolling hills of verdant green, mountain paths, and of course, a host of wine tasting opportunities. What better way to spend a warm and sunny afternoon.

Today the historical centre of Figline Valdarno allows plenty of opportunity to sit and relax amidst its authentic historical resonance. The ancient town square is the place to sit while allowing your imagination to run away with you while you imagine all that's taken place within the surrounding medieval walls running along the perimeter of the town.

Today there are many places to relax with bars, restaurants and cafes and a number of shops to buy souvenirs and just peruse while on an early evening amble. There's no doubt, you'll find everything you and your family need for a relaxing and memorable holiday here.

The birthplace of Renaissance, Tuscany region is located in central Italy. Among the region's most popular wines are Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Morellino di Scansano and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

There are various blends of the world famous Chianti red wine. Aptly named the "Bordeaux of Italy", Chianti wines are usually made from 80 percent of Sangiovese grapes and other varieties of grapes. Chianti Classico is the premium type, which is produced in the original jurisdiction for production of Chianti wines.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano red wines originates from the charming town of Montepulciano and its surroundings. Though these wines are also mainly made from Sangiovese grapes, but the aging time in oak and other factors vary from the Chianti wines. For a taste of the world famous red Brunello di Montalcino wine, take a trip to the historic and charming medieval town of Montalcino. Among the varieties of Brunello di Montalcino wines, Rosso di Montalcino stands out. This particular variety is made from 100 percent Sangiovese grapes. To learn about how any of these wines are made, taste various blends and buy a couple of your favourite wine bottles, you can visit any of Tuscany's wineries.

Bistecca alla Fiorentina, which refers to a thick T-bone steak that is made from Tuscany's Chianina cattle, is one of the must-try traditional Tuscany dishes. Another must-try food is the disc-shaped, sweet caramel Biscotto Fiorentino. This dark chocolate based biscuit is made from ingredients like candied cherries and nuts. Whether to sample or buy various Tuscany cheeses. There are Italy's famous hard Pecorino cheese, which is made from sheep's milk, Raviggiolo, ricotta and other kinds of cheeses for your selection.

Tuscany is full of wonderful beaches. It is not easy to establish a ranking of the most beautiful beaches of Tuscany, but we still tried to choose for you some of the most attractive areas of its coast, which are worth a visit during a beach vacation or adventure with your family.

Let's discover some of the beaches of Tuscany that deserve to be seen and reached: Cavoli Beach is a sandy beach considered ideal for youngsters. It is located in the western part of the Elba island. The sea is crystal clear and the vegetation is pristine, typical of the Mediterranean.

Castiglione della Pescaia, in the province of Grosseto, boasts the most beautiful sea of Italy and, for this reason, this year has been rewarded by Legambiente with five sails. It stands for the protection and enhancement of the coastal ecosystem and habitat conservation dune, with the involvement of schools, citizens and tourists.

Near Porto Santo Stefano there is Cala del Gesso, that is one of the most beautiful coves of Tuscany and has a stunning view.
Cala Bagno delle Donne is in the Maremma Park, near Talamone, in the province of Grosseto and it's protected by a rocky promontory. The sea is deep and clear; it can be reached via a steep ladder, after crossing the country. The seabed is perfect for diving. 

Cala Violina is a very picturesque cove and it has white and transparent sand. A feature makes it unique: the sounds produced when the beach is trampled by those who cross during periods of just season, when these places are not crowded.

Feniglia Beach is located within the National Nature Reserve of the Dunes of Feniglia and it's surrounded by pine forests, Mediterranean plants and characteristics as sea lilies, mastic, myrtle, heather and spurge. The sea is clear, with sandy and sloping seabed ideal for swimming. Walk to the beach from Cala Galera or from the entrance of the Reserve.

Versilia: not only vip, Viareggio has been considered for years a city suitable for children with its numerous initiatives.
Near Montecatini Terme and Lucca, not far from Pisa, Pistoia includes in his province the Pinocchio Park, that is a veritable amusement park. Rather, it can be considered a tribute to the most famous puppet in the world and its author realized within the garden that acts as a sort of large open-air museum with works by famous artists from all over the world.

The Provincia di Lucca in Tuscany is a province centred around the capital city Lucca. It is an area of great beauty, from the medieval capital city to the surrounding countryside which is typically Tuscan.

Visitors to Lucca itself can enjoy the peace of a city where little traffic is allowed within the walls which enclose the historic centre, with the top of the walls themselves being a popular route for cycling and relaxing evening walks.

The city is sometimes referred to as Pisa without the crowds, and while there is no leaning tower, there is the Torre Guinigi whose 230 steps will reward with a great view of the town viewed in the shade of the giant oaks which grow on the top. Also worth a climb is the Torre del Ore or Clock Tower, which is slightly higher and a little less visited by tour parties. The Piazza San Michele, in the centre is built on the site of the ancient Roman forum and is surrounded by 13th century buildings of great architectural interest.

Elsewhere in the Lucca province, the Versilia coastline has several good beach resorts with Viareggio the best known and easily reachable by train, while the interior Garfagna is a beautiful piece of countryside with tree-clad rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards. A notable sight near Borgo e Mazzano is the 11th century Ponte della Maddelena which spans the river Serchio, with a high central arch which seemingly defies gravity, and makes for a scenic place to stop and enjoy the countryside.

Almost everybody knows the name of Chianti because of the links it has to the wine that is one of the main reasons for enjoying this region.

However, throughout the year the most popular areas of Chianti are well known for their stunning landscapes that take in much of the Tuscan region of northern Italy.

The Chianti region is well known for the many historic sites that can be found throughout this popular visitor area, many of which date back as far as the Roman period of history.

Despite the many different reasons to visit the area the chance to enjoy a gastronomic festival can be enjoyed in the early spring, which makes this area popular throughout the warmer months of the year.

Family holidays are catered for in the rolling hills of Tuscany with excellent attractions for all the family to enjoy across the many different areas that make up this popular wine country.

Versilia Golf Resort, Forte dei Marmi, Tuscany. Just a few words to describe an entire world. There is Tuscany, with its joie de vivre which since, time immemorial, has attracted those who have made travel an art. There is Forte dei Marmi, just a short distance away, currently more vibrant and exclusive than ever before. The air echoes with memories of past seaside holidays, children and nannies, villas and the beach which, in former days, could be accessed by a private, hidden path. And there is the golf course.

A golf course which, here, in this corner suspended between the Apuane Alps and the Tyrrhean Sea, is transformed into a resort where each and every detail is the result of a special passion for hospitality.
The sea is just a short distance away and its smell is carried on the breeze that gives these skies their blue, cloudless effect. And the green looks even greener. This sophisticated, welcoming venue, reminiscent of a country residence, acts as a backdrop to the golf course. The golf course is its centre, its focal point. The course was designed by Marco Croze and inaugurated in 1990: 18, par 71 holes, extending over a surface area of 5873 metres. Course rating: 71.7 men. Slope rating: 123, winding through natural green surroundings amidst sand bunkers and water hazards.

Tucked quietly away in the north west of Tuscany, Versilia is the perfect holiday venue for anyone who wants to combine sunshine and sand with a vibrant nightlife.

And that's not all - there's plenty of history and culture to explore and enjoy, too. Ideal for families, it boasts golden beaches and safe bathing, all against the majestic backdrop of the Apuan Alps.

If you're visiting in the spring, don't miss the spectacular Viareggio Carnival with its giant floats and colourful fun. Enjoy a boat ride on the clear, rippling waters of the Massaciuccoli Lake before visiting the House-Museum of the great maestro of Italian opera, Puccini.

And if opera is your passion, the 3,000 seat open air theatre on the lakeside hosts productions of two Puccini operas at its August Festival each year. After some sight seeing, you might like to visit the chic town of Forte dei Marmi, with its designer shops for daytime browsing and lively clubs for evening entertainment. Tuscany offers some of the finest regional cuisine anywhere in Italy, so eating in Versilia is a delight. As you might expect, seafood plays a significant role in local cuisine, so sample risotto with cuttlefish, or spaghetti with arselle for the seafood experience.

Traditional Tuscan dishes for the fine diner include tagliatelle al tartufo (pasta covered in truffle sauce) or a range of noodle recipes using wild hare or wild boar sauces. And no Versilian holiday can be complete without enjoying some local Chianti wine.