Tuscany Holidays

Tuscany Holidays
@ The Tuscan Towns


Tuscany is divided into ten provinces, each of them with its own distinctive identity. The province of Florence is certainly the most visited, due to its artistic and landscape beauties, including Mugello, the Arno valley and part of the Chianti. The province of Siena, with the Sienese Chianti, the Val d`Orcia and the many villages and towns that dot this part of Tuscany is probably the richest one in things to see of the whole region. The province of Arezzo spreads in the eastern part of Tuscany The province is famous for its goldsmiths. In the north of the province there is the hilly region of Casentino. The province of Prato is the most recent of the ten Tuscan provinces. With its textile industries, this small part of the region plays a fundamental role in Tuscan economy. Although it does not attract many tourists, the province of Pistoia is rich in relevant monuments. In winter, the Abetone attracts many Tuscan skiers, whereas Montecatini Terme and Monsummano Terme are two famous spa towns. Going to the west, there is the province of Lucca, spreading between Florence and the sea. With its diverse landscape, in summer it is one of the favourite destinations of sea lovers, whereas the Garfagnana attracts many hikers. The marble quarries that dot the Apaun Alps are the most striking feature of the province of Massa-Carrara. Michelangelo travelled personally to this part of the region to choose the pieces of marble for his masterpieces. The Leaning Tower is the most famous attraction in the province of Pisa. This province offers a magnificent hilly landscape dotted with charming countryside villages. The Etruscan city of Volterra is another point of interest of the province. The province of Livorno consists of a narrow strip of land spreading from north to south along the coast. The Elba Isle, a popular summer destination, is part of this province. The province of Grosseto is the southernest of the ten Tuscan provinces. Grosseto is the main city of the Maremma, a reclaimed swamp area. The Monte Argentario, the Uccellina national park and the Monte Amiata are the main attractions of the province.

Florence - Thanks to its magnificent historical center and to its many works of art, Florence is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Today`s Florence is mostly the Florence of the Renaissance, but only a few meters under the ground there are the remains of the ancient peoples that inhabited the Florentine territory in the past. In the first few centuries ... Read more .... Florence

Siena - The Palio is an event that is well celebrated in Italy and beyond. It is one of the numerous annual events which take place in the country. From around the world, people fly all the way to witness the exciting event – a horse racing competition that by the time everything is over, talks and snapshots would have been exchanged from various .. Siena

Pisa - To some, it is the home of the leaning tower while to others; it is their favorite one-stop spot for all holiday activities. Whichever way you look at the Italian city of Pisa you will see a city that has since become an Italian symbol to many tourists from all over the world. The leaning tower has been reinforced ensure that it is very safe for all who are drawn from far and wide to visit Pisa As a famous tourist attraction for both Italians and other Europeans, the tower is known today .. Pisa

Lucca - Unlike most of Tuscan towns, Lucca is situated in a plain. Lucca`s origin dates back to the Paleolith. Its name probably derives from the language of the Ligurian Celts, who called Lucie, that is `marshland`, the area in which Lucca is situated. Under the Romans, Lucca became an important political and economic center. In the 3rd century B.C. Lucca was a Roman stronghold, then in 180 B.C. .. Read more .... Lucca

Grosseto - Grosseto is the most important town of southern Tuscany Unfortunately, the heavy bombings in World War II destroyed many of its ancient buildings; however, the 16th century walls and some ramparts have survived. Grosseto is considered the capital of the Maremma. In the Middle Ages, Grosseto was a fortified village along the road linking Pisa to Rome. In 935 the Saracen destroyed .. Read more ... Grosseto

Arezzo - Arezzo was founded by the Etruscans. It was one of the twelve most important Etruscan cities that composed the so‑called Dodecapolis. The famous Chimera of Arezzo now in Florence was found here. As Arretium it was a flourishing city in the days of the Roman Empire, .. Read more ..... Arezzo

Livorno - Livorno`s origin is uncertain. In documents dating back to 904, the name "Livorna" designates a small fishing town situated in a natural cove of the Tyrrhenian coast, just a few kilometers south of the mouth of the Arno. The villages was ruled by Pisa Between the 13th and the 14th century, the village, which was becoming increasingly important thanks to the .. Read more .... Livorno

Massa and Carrara - Massa boasts of ancient origins. Some archeological findings in Resceto witness the presence of the man in this area as early as the Paleolithic and Neolithic ages. The first settlements developed in the 9th century, when Massa was under the episcopate of Luni. The Obertenghi family ruled the town between the 10th and .. Read more .... Massa and Carrara

Pistoia - Pistoia was founded in the 2nd century B.C. and served as a base for the Roman troops in the war against the Ligurians. In 62 B.C., Consul Petreio defeated Catilina and his followers in the neighbouhood of a town called Pistorae or Pistorium. Under the Longobards, Pistoia became an important administrative and military center. In 1105 Pistoia was declared free commune. The most ancient Italian document of the communal era was issued in Pistoia in 1117: it was the "Statute of the Consuls". In 1158, the Podestà substituted .. Read more .... Pistoia

Prato - As the many archeological findings in the area witness, the territory of Prato has been inhabited as far back as Etruscan times. However, the first documents about the town of Prato date back to the 9th century AD, when the Pieve di Santo Stefano, today`s Cathedral, was built on an pre-existing church in the village of Borgo al Cornio... Read more .... Prato