Tuscany is a north-western region stretching from the mountainous Liguria border down to the sun-warmed lakes of Umbria and Lazio. Poppy fields, medieval castle towns, pinstriped vineyards and Renaissance cities fulfil the postcard promise. Some of the best hotels retreat to the countryside, where gold-dipped villages burrow between swooping hills.
This is where you’ll find places like Pievescola and Castelnuovo Berardenga. These hamlets feature field-to-table menus, green-shuttered farm shops and country villa hotels. Add to that some of the most scenic roads in Italy, and the postcard gets even prettier.
These bike-friendly country roads lead to every other flavour of Tuscan town, from walled hilltop villages to towering cities like Siena, Florence and Pisa. It’s easy to get caught up in the grandeur of the squares and palaces of these open-air museums.
Wherever you stay, one thing’s for sure – you won’t go hungry. Tuscan food is simple and flavourful, and the cities offer creative takes on traditional fare. Wine connoisseurs should head for central Tuscany, where Chianti and Montepulciano vineyards cover the hills.
