Tuscany is one of the most mysterious, fascinating, and historically rich places, and my family and I have wanted to visit this fantastic place for quite some time. However, we finally got the chance this year and decided to make the most of this trip.
It is home to some of the world’s most incredible renaissance art and ancient architecture, and has so much more to explore than people assume.
Home to the incredible Leaning Tower of Pisa, deserts, snowy mountains, beautiful beaches, and 8 UNESCO heritage sites, this beautiful region is worth the visit.
This article will help you learn how to enjoy your trip to Tuscany and explore some of the best places while having a great time with your family. So, let’s move without any further delays.
Where is Tuscany?
Tuscany is a region in central Italy with ten provinces. This beautiful region borders five other regions, one of Italy’s most prosperous agricultural regions. The fantastic place is rich in culture, and people admire the traditions wholeheartedly. Whether looking for rich Italian food or some historical sites, you will find everything in Tuscany.
Here you will also find some of the most amazing beaches, your favourite film sets, aesthetic buildings, various castles, and heritage sites. Tuscany is also the biggest region of Italy. One of the best things about this beautiful region is that you will never get tired of capturing the captivating sunsets and admiring nature.
How to Get There?
Since there are only two airports in Tuscany, Galileo Galilei International Airport in Pisa and Amerigo Vespucci Airport, it is easier to manage flights without getting confused. Both the airports manage flights to major European cities, which means you will not be able to get a direct flight from anywhere farther than Europe.
All major airlines, including British Airways, Qatar, and Turkish Airlines, manage flights in and out of the airports. Buying tickets for connecting flights is cheaper than a direct flight and allows you to explore other places. Since my family and I flew from London, we booked a direct flight and landed in this beautiful place within two hours.
Best Things to do in Tuscany
Tuscany is a region full of beautiful places, fascinating sites, and fabulous restaurants. However, when visiting this place, people can get easily confused about exploring this place and might miss some best-hidden gems of this region.
Since I recently visited Tuscany with my husband and two kids, I would love to guide you about the best places to visit and the best things to do during your stay in Tuscany.
Road Trip to Cortona
Planning a road trip to Cortona was the best part of our holidays. We not only enjoyed our visit to this beautiful hill town, but also had fun during our ride because of the mesmerizing views and mini trivia competition about Cortona. Cortona is a beautiful town with so much to explore that we decided to stay for a few days more.
We went to the castle of Montechi Vesponi, situated 364m above sea level in Arezzo, which has magnificent architecture. We entered the massive buildings with ancient walls and medieval art. However, we had to book our tickets through a private tour company, as the castle is now private property. My husband loved the interior, since he is a big fan of Lord of the Rings.
We also visited the Villa Bramasole, and as we stepped into the premise, we saw beautiful olive trees, flowers, and vineyards more beautiful than we had pictured. Apart from the castle of Montechi Vesponi and Villa Bramasole, we also had a great time at the Fortress of Girifalco and the historical centre.
Visit Val d’Orcia
On our way to Val d’Orcia, we came across beautiful roads with cypress trees on each side and a massive rich green land with a natural aroma. We were already high on peace and calmness, but the destination was yet to arrive.
Val d’Orcia, also popularly known as the Tuscany of Your Dreams, is an isolated valley with castles, villages, vineyards, sunflowers, and cypress trees. We immediately captured the blissfully emasculating nature, as the whole place is very photogenic.
Don’t miss the UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Tuscany is home to some of the best heritage sites, and visiting each one was a marvellous experience. In total, Tuscany has 7 UNESCO world heritage sites. Florence Historical Center was the first-ever site to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Florence, the capital of Tuscany.
Visiting this amazing place was a great experience because it is popularly known as the Cradle of the Renaissance and is famous for its rich history, art, and culture.
Another popular heritage site is the historic centre of San Gimignano. Even though it was difficult to reach this fascinating place, the view, and experience were the best. The ancient houses, beautiful fountains, and fascinating architecture made us fall in love with this place.
We also visited the historic centre of Siena, the Piazza of Miracles, the historic centre of Pienza, Medici villas and gardens, and Val d’Orcia.
Siena, the crowning jewel of Tuscany, jewelled with the distinctly shaped central plaza, the medieval town hall, and the bricked houses appeal to the eye instantaneously. The shining white crown was one of the best parts as we were mesmerized by its beauty.
The glistening Piazza of Miracles attracted me from far away. Spawning over 8.87 hectares, this marvellous structure was quite the catch. It was one of the most beautiful Plazas we visited in Tuscany, Italy.
However, the historic centre of Pienza was not the most appealing from afar, but we were astonished when we glanced at it closely. Its placement and environment transported us to how essential and bustling this centre was in its maiden days, marvellous and spectacular.
The lush greenery, the tall pine trees, and the peak Italian architecture made us fall in the adornment of the Medici villas and gardens. The Villa and the garden superseded their expectations in terms of their appeal, as the beauty was encapsulating, and the bright Italian sun made it all the better for us.
Since the Medici Villas and Gardens is the perfect spot to capture some beautiful family pictures, bring your camera along.
Go to a Sagra
Not going to a Sagra on your trip to Tuscany can be one of your biggest regrets, as this festival is impressive and makes for a great, fun trip to enjoy traditional Italian food. Sagra allows you to know the culture and admire the region’s community while enjoying various traditional Italian food.
My family and I went to the local pasta Sagra in Cortona and enjoyed a great variety of pasta there. All of us decided to spread far and wide in the festival, and each of us grabbed a plate of pasta that attracted us the most and rated all of them accordingly. Various games made the experience even better.
Visit the Adventure Park Il Gigante
If you also get bored with visiting heritage sites and aesthetic towns during your stay in Tuscany, make sure to spice your trip a little and explore the fun and adventurous options this region offers. A visit to Adventure Park Il Gigante was a must because my kids are obsessed with forests and adventures, and to be honest, the park was way better than I expected.
The Adventure Park Il Gigante is located in Vaglia and offers fantastic fun and adventurous courses for kids of all ages. Their initiative for the betterment of the environment was something unique and appreciated by many people. My family and I also enjoyed delicious Italian snacks and fresh juices at Bar Bagianni.
This fantastic park is fun for kids and adults because they have different courses for people of different ages, so you will not have to stand and watch while your kids have fun.
Segway to Vivoli Gelato
Visiting Tuscany, Italy, and not eating gelato can be one of the biggest regrets of your life. Italy is known for its amazing variety of Gelatos, and to make this experience more fun, my family and I decided to rent Segways. Roaming around the streets of Florence on Segways was one of the best experiences because the fantastic tour guide helped us explore the hidden gems.
We even visited Vivoli Gelato and enjoyed the creamiest and most flavourful gelatos. Vivoli Gelato was launched in 1930 and has been one of Italy’s most famous gelato stores. They offer 20 delicious flavours, various coffees, snacks, pastries, and other drinks. We also tried some croissants, and they were exceptionally soft and flavourful, which was enough to make our experience better and overwhelming.
Hot Air Balloon Ride at Lucca
Who doesn’t like to enjoy a ride on a hot air balloon, especially when you are overviewing one of the fascinating regions of Italy? If you want to enjoy your trip, riding a hot air balloon is one of the best things to do in Tuscany, Italy. Since hot air balloons are popular in Lucca, you can easily find travel organizers to book a ride on a hot air balloon.
It might cost you more than regular trips, but your family will enjoy the fascinating and adventurous ride. Navigating in the sky, watching a beautiful sunset, and enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime view with your loved ones will make your trip worth the money. Hot air balloon trips usually last an hour or so, which means this trip can easily fit into your holiday schedule.
Visit Bibonna Beach
Even though there are many beaches in Tuscany, we decided to opt for Bibonna because it is one of the cleanest beaches. The water isn’t too deep, which is great for kids and parents. Since Bibonna beach is quite popular among families, it is best to visit on a weekday rather than on the weekend (it can get crowded at certain times).
You can easily buy some sand tools from the shops near the beach and enjoy a relaxing and fun day with your family. There are also numerous restaurants and public restrooms around the area, so you will not have to worry about food or the bathroom.
Travel Tips to Make Your Trip Better
Many people are nervous about visiting a new place as the unexpected traditions and cultures can be a shock often, and here’s why I am sharing some tips to make your trip to Tuscany better and more fun.
As most people speak English, you don’t have to learn Italian before going to Tuscany, but it is always better to catch a few common phrases.
Tuscany is a dream come true for every cheese lover out there, as every restaurant offers a great variety of cheesy flavoured food, and you will also find some of the best and most flavourful wines.
Public Toilets aren’t public, and they might charge a certain amount to ensure clean restrooms.
The timing of museums, restaurants and other public attractions might vary with the seasons. So, make sure to check the timings before visiting.
Bars in Tuscan are not alcoholic drink bars, but they refer to a place where one can enjoy a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, or a light snack.
The Bottom Line
Tuscany is a beautiful place with so much to explore and learn from. Even though you might not find the best drivers here, the region is rich in culture and known for its mesmerizing renaissance art, history, food, and exceptional wine. Tuscany will make for a great memorable trip with fantastic adventures, fascinating sunsets, and lots of Gelatos!
