Italy Vacation Rentals

Beautiful Tuscany

When I think of Tuscany, I see sun playing on rolling hills covered with olive groves. I also remember culinary delights like delicious pastas, hearty salads, the perfect risotto and stunning desserts. This is an enchanted land with beautiful vineyards, rust-colored farmhouses, moss-coated castles, colorful outdoor food markets and thousands of narrow farm roads.

Tuscany is so rich in things to do that it's sometimes difficult to know where to start. If you're looking for the most famous sites, you should start with Florence, Pisa and Siena. However, you'll not want to miss the stunning countryside and all the midieval towns with town walls, castles, fortresses, and watch-towers that are off the beaten path. Since the region is also rich in culinary tradition and great wine, you'll also want to experience these if time allows. See Italy Vacation Rentals.

Florence

In Florence, you'll want to take about a day and see the Uffizi Gallery, one of the world's great art museums with works by Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli. You'll also want to see Michelangelo's David and works by Botticelli in the Accademia. See Italy Vacation Rentals.

Siena

Siena is home to a fairytale Gothic cathedral with a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside from it's ramparts. See Italy Vacation Rentals.

Pisa

Pisa, the birthplace of Galileo, is also home to one of the best universities in Italy and, of course, home to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. See Italy Vacation Rentals.

Luca

One of Tuscany's best kept secrets is the city of Luca. Luca is home to beautiful Renaissance architecture, superb dining, antique markets and is protected by massively thick 16th century walls. The ancient ramparts that surround the city are particularly stunning. See Italy Vacation Rentals.

Wonderful Tuscan Food

Tuscany is a land of tasty vegetables, meat, poultry, cured meats and cheese. World famous for it's olive oil, it's also known for its dishes made with natural ingredients. Bistecca Florentina (an Italian T-bone Steak) is the epitome of rustic and simplistic Tuscan cuisine. On our last Tuscan trip, we experienced succulent slices of Tuscan cinghiale (wild boar) roasted over a wood fire and served in its own juices. At Florence's more trendy restaurants, you'll want to try Pappa al pomodoro, a rich tomato based Tuscan country soup thickened with bread or a bowl of classic Tuscan vegetable and bread soup (ribollita) .

Great Tuscan Wine

Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and other wines from Tuscany are known around the world. First inhabited by the Etruscans, Tuscany's soil and weather conditions is ideal for growing grapes. The Etruscans domesticated and bred the forbearers of grapes such as the Sangiovese and the Lambrusco from the wild grape vines that grew in abundance in the sunny Tuscan hills. Wine from Chianti, Carmignano, Brunello or other areas accompanies most every meal in this region.