I ❤️ Tuscany (And Why You Will Too!)

Tuscany is one of my favorite places in Italy.  It may be because it was one of the first places that I visited, however I think it's more than that.  There is so much beauty and culture in Tuscany.  Keep reading to see five reasons why I love Tuscany, or just watch the video below.

The Scenery
If you’ve ever seen a movie based in Tuscany (Under The Tuscan Sun is the one that I immediately think of), you’ll understand why people are immediately drawn to Tuscany.  It has rolling hills, cypress trees, and villas, along with vineyards and olive groves adding to the scenery. When you add in the greens and golds of the area, it creates one inspiring scene after another.

The Villages
​There are Tuscan villages that are well-known, such as San Gimignano, the village of many towers.  However, there are other villages throughout Tuscany that are worth discovering. Monteriggioni is a small village that is built completely inside of a fortified wall.  You have to enter the town through one of the two gates in the wall, and it’s like stepping back in time as everything has been well preserved for over 700 years! Panzano is another interesting town in Tuscany.  It’s split between its modern section and its medieval center. It’s also home to Dario Cecchini’s, an amazing meat-centered restaurant run by a famous butcher.

The grill at Dario Cecchini!

The food
The beginnings of Tuscan food are poor - the food that people without a lot of options created in the most tasty way possible.  Today, the food is the same, not because the Tuscan people don’t have a choice of ingredients, but because it is really good! Things like pecorino cheese, made from local sheep’s milk, the long strands of freshly made pici pasta, everything truffle (my favorite!).  Other options are thin slices of locally cured meat and ribollita, a delicious veggie and bread soup. Speaking of bread, Tuscan bread is made without salt and has a taste uniquely its own.

The Wine Is Amazing...And It's Everywhere!
Everyone knows that Tuscany produces some amazing wine.  Chianti, Super Tuscan and Brunello di Montalcino are some of the most popular varieties.  There are many vineyards in Tuscany where you can have a tasting, lunch or dinner with wine pairing, or even stay overnight. 

At local vineyard, I Balzini

Away from the crowds
​A lot of the cities in Italy can be crowded, especially during the summer months.  There is good reason for this, of course, as there are many wonderful things to see in the cities.  However, because Tuscany is a region, people are more spread out. It is possible to find a quiet village to wander through, and there are many hotels that are in a quiet country setting.  After a day of touring, it is nice to enjoy your aperitivo at the end of your day, sitting outside, enjoying the views and listening to...nothing!

Have I convinced you that Tuscany should be a part of your next vacation plan?  I'd love to help, you can contact me here to get started.  Or considering joining me this May when I travel to Tuscany with my exclusive hosted group.  Get the details of that here.