Tuscany
Luxury Travel to
Tuscany
You know you’re supposed to be admiring the artwork—this is, after all, one of the most important collections of Renaissance art in the world—but the room itself is so breathtaking it keeps distracting you. Long and narrow, a row of large windows along one wall, gilded doors and paintings along the other,
black-and-white checkerboard marble floor… And the ceiling!
You stand directly beneath the majestic dome and look up. Intricate, delicate, exquisite. So much beauty.
Tailor my trip5 things you don’t know
about Tuscany
When you think about Florence, and the entire Tuscan region, you automatically think art, the beautiful Pitti and Uffizi palaces in Florence, the leaning tower in Pisa, Sienna with its amazing Piazza del Campo, and the extraordinary Tuscan countryside with vineyards and hilltop villages. You might feel you know this region well, but here are a few interesting facts you might not know:
01
Florence was founded by Julius Caesar in 59 B.C. as a settlement for veteran Roman soldiers.
02
Tuscany is home to 7 UNESCO sites: Florence, Siena, the Square of Miracles in Pisa, San Gimignano, Val d’Orcia, Pienza and the 12 Medicean Villas near Florence.
03
The massive dome of the cathedral in Florence was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, who had no previous experience in architecture.
04
Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Michelangelo, Dante Alighieri, Galileo Galilei, Niccolo Machiavelli, and Amerigo Vespucci all lived in Florence. As did Florence Nightingale.
05
Florence is the birthplace of opera. The very first opera, Dafne, was written by Jacopo Peri in Florence in 1598.
Tuscany travel guide
Where to stay in Tuscany?
With its insider knowledge, AAV has carefully evaluated and selected the finest hotels to make your vacation unique.
You will be surprised by The Four Seasons Hotel in Florence. The historic pallazo feels like a country retreat thanks to its 11 acres of woods and lawns. It’s the ideal place for a romantic stroll—or for the kids to run and play. The Four Seasons Florence has 37 guest rooms and suites, all sumptuously decorated and immensely comfortable. The restaurant Il Palagio has a Michelin-star.
When you stay at the Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, you will actually be living in one of oldest estates in Tuscany and a prestigious producer of Brunello wine. You can enjoy on-site wine-tasting seminars or simply walk through the vines and take in the beautiful countryside. The accommodations include 42 suites and 11 villas, furnished with antiques, local textiles, and artisanal accessories.
In the heart of Tuscany’s wild Maremma countryside, the Castello di Vicarello is a 900 year-old castle hotel, offering amazing suites, each unique, each beautifully restored and elegantly decorated with a mixture of antiques and modern craftsmanship. The Castello grows over 50 varieties of vegetables and
30 aromatic herbs, which you will enjoy in the restaurant. It’s even possible to have a romantic dinner served in a secret location, just for you and your beloved.
In the famous Piazza della Repubblica in the heart of Florence, the Hotel Savoy Rocco Forte offers a vibrant sophistication and contemporary elegance in a historic setting. Rooms and suites here showcase fine Tuscan silks and local artwork. And the food! The menu is based on classic Tuscan recipes, reinvented by two top chefs to take advantage of the of all that the generous Tuscan countryside provides. Simply wonderful.
A façade designed by the School of Michelangelo, woodlands where Leonardo Da Vinci first attempted to fly, the blossoming MITICO art installation, breathtaking views over Florence… the Villa San Michele, a Belmond Hotel, is the summum of luxe and indulgence. You will love the enchanting rooms, suites, and villa, with their exceptional comfort and elevated service. The Villa San Michele has a gastronomic restaurant as well as a ristorante with traditional Italian cuisine with specialties from the Slow Food Foundation.
Tailor my tripBest luxury experiences in Tuscany
Florentine artisans
Your AAV local guide will take you on a fascinating tour of Oltrarno, the district in Florence where top artisans ply their trade. You will meet different craftsmen and see the beautiful, high-end products they create handmade handbags and shoes, jewelry, paper, ceramics, word carving, and textiles. A rare behind-the-scenes glimpse at “Made in Italy” products.
More than just Chianti
Tour Italy’s most famous wine region with an AAV local guide and sommelier who will take you to several prestigious wineries for a private visit of the cellar and a wine-tasting. Your tour may include Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi, Tenuta San Guido, Case Basse di Gianfranco Soldera, among others.
The beauty of Tuscan villages
You will enjoy seeing the beautiful Tuscan countryside and its many Mediaeval villages. A private chauffeured car will take you to see the stunning hilltop village of Montepulciano, picturesque San Qiricio d’Orcia, lovingly preserved Monticchiello, Bagno Vignoni and its hot springs, and San Gimignano with its many towers, among others.
On the footsteps on Michelangelo
A very special visit with an art and history expert who will bring to life the years Michelangelo spent in Florence. You will tour several museums and churches where you will see Michaelangelo’s masterpieces, as well as the house he gave to his nephew, and the church where he was buried.
When is the best time to visit Tuscany?
Fewer tourists in winter and spring, longer days in summer, amazing colors in the countryside in autumn… it’s hard to choose just one time to visit Tuscany.
Tuscany in winter:
Tuscany can be cold and snowy in winter, so skiing is one way to see the beautiful countryside. The bonfire festivals are also interesting to see, with San Niccolò and San Geminiano competing to see whose is the biggest and best. Another good reason to visit in winter? The sales. In January, it’s winter sales season which makes shopping in Florence even more fun.
Tuscany in spring:
Warmer weather, reduced crowds… spring is a wonderful time to visit Tuscany, both the coastline and inland. Florence’s gardens are beautiful, especially the Bardini Gardens and its stunning wisteria tunnel. Red poppies cover the Val d’Orcia from late April to mid-May. You will also enjoy the Maggio Musicale Florentino, a month-long music festival in May in Florence.
Tuscany in summer:
Summer can be hot, with temperatures in the high 90s, so you will want to head for the coast and the sea breezes. The Mount Argentario is a great spot to explore in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Or go to Tuscany’s gorgeous hilltop villages where it is cooler. July and August, enjoy Palio di Siena, the famous horse races on the historic Palio racetrack.
Tuscany in autumn:
Cooler temperatures, the leaves changing colors… autumn is a wonderful time to visit the Tuscan countryside. Hike in the Casentino National Park and visit the lovely hilltop villages, often surrounded by vineyards which are yellow, orange, and red during this season. Enjoy the Truffle Festivals in San Miniato and San Giovanni d’Asso in November and taste the chestnuts at the Chestnut Fair in Marradi in October.
Travel tips about
Tuscany
Florence, Pisa, Siena, Montepulciano, the Chianti Region, the Medici Villas and Gardens, the island of Elba, the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas… there is so much to see and do in Tuscany there is no wonder that Sting, Richard Gere, Ed Sheeran and Colin Firth all have homes here.
With AAV organizing your vacation, you can be sure that accommodations and restaurants will be superb, and that you will see all the major sites and monuments.
If you like things that are off the beaten path, here are a few ideas:
01
Art al fresco
Installed among the olive trees of the 14-acre park are a sprawling castle with rainbow mosaic tower, a blue head, a sphinx with mirrored blue hair and bright red crown, among many others. These are the works of artist Niki de Saint Phealle in the Tarot Garden near Cepalbio—a must-see for anyone who likes her famous ‘nanas’.
02
Bird’s eye view of Florence
A masterpiece of Italian gothic architecture, Giotto’s Bell Tower is almost 85 meters high. Climbing 414 steps to reach the top balcony, which may be daunting but is definitely worth it. You’ll have the best view of Florence, including a view of the famous cupola on the Duomo.
03
For garden lovers
The Boboli Gardens are a sumptuous marriage between architecture and landscape. The vast, green gardens with a regular layout are punctuated by ancient and Renaissance statues, amazing grottoes, and gorgeous fountains. The Kaffeehaus is one of the rare examples of Rococo architecture in Florence.
04
Michangelo’s graffiti
In 1530, Michelangelo was forced into hiding for three months, in a tiny secret room under the Medici Chapel in Florence. To fight boredom, he drew, with charcoal, on the walls and almost covered them completely. The room was rediscovered by accident in 1975, so the drawings are in exceptional condition.
05
Soak up more than just the atmosphere
For a true Tuscan experience, head to the Saturnia hot springs and soak in the waters of the Cascate del Mulino, a tradition here since Roman times! Just be sure to bring a swimsuit you can throw away afterwards—the springs are sulphuric water.
Plan
your trip
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