DK Travel : Tuscany

Limiting the choice of prime sights is not an easy task in a land as rich and varied as Tuscany. Its storybook landscape is home to medieval hill towns, fabled wines and, as crucible of the Renaissance, an unrivalled collection of artistic masterpieces. Here are the best of the best.

The Palio

This is a magnificent event to witness. The fervour and excitement, the anguish and the glory of the crowd on the four days of the event in July and August make you become part of the Italian people for that short time. You will have to allow a lot of time for waiting around but it is well worth it in the end.
The Uffizi, Florence

A veritable who’s who of the greatest Renaissance masters installed in the former offices (uffizi ) of the ruling Medici family.
Three Towns in a Day

Morning

Start early in Monteriggioni which takes all of five minutes to walk from one end to the other, but take time to stop in the bar on the piazza for a cappuccino.

Drive on to Volterra starting with San Francesco and its amazing frescoes. On the Piazza dei Priori admire the Palazzo dei Priori (1208–57), the oldest Gothic town hall in Tuscany and the model for most others, including Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio. Tucked into an alcove on the square is the back door of the Duomo – dive inside. Head down Via dei Sarti for the Pinacoteca; continue on this street, which becomes Via di Sotto, lined with several good alabaster workshops, then Via Don Minzoni, where the Etruscan Museum lies.

Afternoon

One block back, on Piazza XX Settembre, Il Sacco Fiorentino is a good spot for a quick lunch before retrieving your car and continuing to San Gimignano getting there just as the tour buses are leaving (but before 4pm in winter, when things close early). Take a quick spin through the Collegiata frescoes before clambering up the Torre Grossa for perhaps the most beautiful panorama in Tuscany.

If you have time after descending – and after pausing at the Museo Civico – head to the other end of town for Sant’Agostino’s frescoes (by 6:30pm). Try to be up on the Rocca for sunset over the towers.
Tignanello

Antinori’s complex, beefy wine made with 80 percent Sangiovese, 15 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 5 percent Cabernet Franc.
Tintoretto (1519–94)

Aspiring to the grace of Michelangelo, Tintoretto worked with a more sombre palette than that used by Titian.
Titian (1480–1576)

Greatest Venetian painter. Paintings such as his Venus of Urbino hang in the Uffizi (see Venus of Urbino).
Torre di Bellosguardo, Florence

The views from Fiesole are famous, but the panorama from the Bellosguardo hill above the Oltrarno is better, a close-up sweep of the Florence skyline from the gardens and pool of an evocatively medieval retreat. The central tower contains a suite featuring unsurpassed views in four directions.
Torre Guelfa, Florence

While most rooms in this converted 1280 palazzo don’t have great views, the lofty terrace bar has an unbeatable panorama across Florence.
Torre Palombara

Amazing Villa hotel in the southern part of Umbria, 1 hour drive from the border with Tuscany and 1 hour from Rome. Highly reccomended, an hidden treasure. Incredible views, Villa, pool, garden, furniture, food and excellent price for the superior quality.

www.torrepalombara.com
Torta della Nonna

The traditional, creamy “Grandmother’s pie”, topped with pinoli pine nuts.

Jump to top

Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under €50
- €50-€100
- €100-€150
- €150-€200
- over €200