What You Need to Know When Planning a Vacation in Tuscany
Whether you’ve been to Tuscany before or not, we’re sure that you’ll have heard of it if you’re looking for the perfect place to spend your next Italian getaway. There are a wide variety of reasons why so many individuals simply fall in love with this region, whether it’s the perfect weather, the fascinating history, or the irresistible charm. With so much to offer though, a number of people struggle to decide on what to do during their stay.
We’re here to help people plan out their perfect vacations in Tuscany, using the information and experience we have from years of being a professional tour company to give you some tips. Better yet, you could choose to come on a trip with us and explore the wonders of the area without having to worry about planning it out yourself!
How to prepare for your stay
Even if you think that you’re ready, there’s a chance that you’ll finally arrive only to realize that there was so much more you could have done. As a few examples, have you:
Hired a car?
Tour companies generally take care of transportation, but if you’re visiting alone, it’s wise to ensure that you’ll be able to get around the region. Most will find that renting a vehicle is an excellent idea, particularly cars. This gives you the opportunity to make the very best Tuscan day trips during your vacation – going where you want at your own pace, as well as the ability to take a scenic drive and take in all the stunning beauty.
Decided how you want to spend your vacation?
A large portion of those who come to Tuscany know that there is plenty on offer, yet don’t take the time to properly consider how they want to spend their vacation – which can lead to a waste of time and overall a trip that’s not as good as it could be. If you learn a little bit more about what’s in store and what you might want to do, there’s a much better chance of you enjoying your stay. Some of the most common options include:
- Immerse yourself in the ambience of the many medieval locations (such as Siena, San Gimignano, or Monteriggioni)
- Take in a variety of amazing pieces of art (Florence is a city full of masterpieces, particularly from the Renaissance era)
- Visit vineyards, wineries, and try some delicious wines (especially from areas like Chianti or Bolgheri)
- Explore the natural vistas of the countryside (Maremma and Val d’Orica are just perfect)
- Travel around and see some of the iconic sites (like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or Duomo di Siena)
While there are a broad range of options available to you, and while you could certainly spend your trip doing any of these things, these are just a few examples to give you an idea of what options are available.
Found a city or town you want to stay in?
There are so many different options for places you can reside in during your getaway, which is why figuring out where to stay in Tuscany can often be vital. While it often varies depending on your own preferences, it’s often a good idea to settle on a general area and rent out accommodation in a location that’s in that region. This way, you can reduce travel time and often make the most of your exploration of this part of Italy. It’s also important to remember that there are a range of different things on offer in each city, so regardless of where you stay, you’re sure to have an excellent Tuscan adventure.
Decided on which time of year to come over?
In most cases, picking a season to visit heavily relies on what you plan to do. Many people will agree that spring and fall can be ideal for a number of reasons, whether it’s the comfortable climate, breathtaking scenery, and fewer tourists than you’ll find in summer months
July and August can also be excellent choices, especially for those who aren’t bothered about other visitors and are hoping to enjoy the Italian sun at its most powerful. This season is actually the most popular time of year to visit – and in general, it’s not hard to see why the majority of individuals opt for a summer vacation. Winter can also be a great choice too, especially for those who want the lowest prices and fewer tourists.
It’s entirely up to you to decide – and if you pick the best one for your needs, you’re likely to find you’ll have an amazing experience when visiting Tuscany next year.
Top 10 places to check out
You may already know that there are a wide variety of options when it comes to locations you can explore in this part of Italy. With a limited time to actually see all of the wonders that the region has in store, it can be a wise idea for those planning a vacation to take a closer look into some of the cities and towns they could visit.
Arezzo – The architecture and landmarks that are located in Arezzo truly give this area a strong and impressive ancient atmosphere, and there is so much history to delve into (a great place to learn more about the past of Arezzo is in one of the many museums located here).
Chianti – One of the main reasons why Chianti is well worth a visit is because of the absolutely magnificent vineyards and countryside. A very traditional and rural area, you’re sure to find that you’ll have a good chance to immerse yourself in the Tuscan lifestyle, see stunning sights, and more.
Florence – Florence is one of Italy’s most popular cities, and if you take a closer look into what it has to offer, you’ll see why. The wonderful art that is kept here alone makes it worth a visit – and that’s not even taking into consideration the beauty of the city itself.
Lucca – The 16th century walls that surround this city make it quite distinct from other parts of Tuscany, and this is exactly why you should pay Lucca a visit. Incredible landmarks and a large number of churches are just two of the things about this area that tend to draw the attention of tourists, so don’t miss out on the chance to come and explore.
Monteriggioni – Within the countryside of Siena is Monteriggioni, one of the region’s many breathtaking hilltop towns. You’ll find plenty of medieval architecture here and a traditional charm that we’re certain you’re going to fall in love with.
San Gimignano – The medieval hilltop town of San Gimignano is popular for a variety of reasons, whether it’s the awesome scenery around the hill, the beautiful architecture, the friendly locals, or the amazing landmarks like Torre Grossa (which you should definitely check out).
Pisa – This city is most well known and often only visited because of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but there is much more to love about this location. The iconic tilted structure isn’t the only notable landmark here either; there are other incredible sites like the San Matteo Museum and the Chiesa della Spina church.
Siena – Another spot that’s famous across Italy (and well-known around the world) is Siena – and if you visit, you’ll see why. The architecture and charm of this city is one of the key things that draws so much attention from tourists, which is why you really can’t pass up an opportunity to stop by.
Val d’Orica – Known for being picture perfect, Val d’Orica is exactly what you would imagine from Tuscany’s countryside. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this magnificent location is a truly remarkable area that’s well worth a visit.
Volterra – This part of Italy is interesting for the many different parts of history you can see here; ranging from medieval architecture and Renaissance structures across the city, to landmarks like an ancient Roman theatre and several Etruscan sites.
Take a trip with Tours of Tuscany
If you’re hoping to have the best possible experience in this part of Italy, you’ve come to the right place – as this is exactly what we do. We’re dedicated to providing our guests with the perfect vacation, and we want to give you the chance to make the most out of your time here.
Our range of options
Weddings in Tuscany, Chianti wine tours, cycling trips across the region – there are a number of different things that you can do, and this is why we’ve created several itineraries to suit practically anyone’s needs. Regardless of what you’re hoping to do during your vacation, we’re certain that we have a schedule already planned out that’ll be ideal for you.
We also provide meals in local eateries, plenty of great activities, luxury villas for you to rest in whenever we’re not exploring, and much more. So, if you’re looking for the best Tuscany tours 2021 has to offer, we’ve likely got something for you.
