FIRENZE

Florence is the capital and the largest city of Tuscany. Florence is the most popular city in Tuscany, it attracts over a million visitors every year. Tourists come to Florence to admire its many treasures in shape of statues, museums, churches, cathedrals and countless beautiful buildings decorated by big artists out of the renaissance age. Many famous artists were born in Florence or spent part of their life here. Florence owes many of its treasures and beauties to the Medici-family: a rich family that commissioned many churches and palaces throughout Florence. Florence is known worldwide because of this family and still remains one of the most culturally rich cities all over the world.

Monuments and attractions

The Duomo of Florence is something you don’t want to miss: this beautiful marble cathedral is huge, it can accommodate 30,000 people. The Duomo of the cathedral protrudes above the rooftops of Florence. The Duomo is covered with marble in the colours white green and pink. There are so many beautiful details to see that you do not know where to look. In any case, don’t forget to look at the most beautiful door, the so-called Porta Della Mandorla (Door of the Almond) on the side of the Duomo, where the stairs to the Duomo start. In 2012, the door was restored to its original state after a 12-year restoration. Ponte Vecchio is an historical bridge over the Arno-river The bridge is home to jewellers from major brands such as Rolex. The bridge dates back to the 13th century and is very popular among photographers and tourists. Palazzo Vecchio used to be the home of the Medici family, nowadays the building is used as a museum. The museum exibits the art collection of the Medici family. In addition to the furnished rooms, even various paintings and sculptures can be seen. The Boboli Gardens are also a must see its part of the Palazzo Pitti originally the private residence of the Medici family and later the Lorena and Savoy dynasty. It was built between the 15th and 19th centuries. Everywhere in the gardens is a huge range of images scattered ranging from the Etruscan period to the present. There is also an amphitheatre, coffee house, various lakes and fountains, winter greenhouses, temples, caves and beautiful paths.

Shopping

Florence isn’t only known by its culture but also as a great city for shopping, it has many big brands such as Gucci and Rolex in combination with many small shopping alleys filled with nice and interesting shops makes this city a shopping paradise. Florence is well known because of its leather shoes, bags and jackets. In the historical centre of Florence you will find many restaurants and of course many ice-cream cafe’s.

Events

There is always something going on in Florence, from large exhibitions to concerts and special events. Every third weekend of the month (except in July) a large antique market is held at Fortezza da basso. The last weekend of May all wine cellars in the city open a nice tradition to experience and of course to score a nice wine.

CRETE SENESI

Crete Senesi is a area in Tuscany located south of Siena. Crete Senesi has a lot to offer when it comes to nature since it offers natural warm water sources and gorgeous landscapes. Crete Senesi is a paradise for people that love hiking and mountain biking due to the many paths and roads throughout the area. Crete Senesi is a real farm region with many farms and farmlands. Museo Della Mezzadria is a museum about the farms in Crete Senesi-are. Its purpose is to exhibit the true beauty of the region and the farms and their products. This is done by recreating the farms from the past and today complete with videos and pictures so you can admire the way these farmers work and live in the Crete Senesi region.

Local products

Crete senesi has many farms: each of them with their own products; a portion of those farms produce Pecorino: an Italian cheese made from sheep milk, pecorino is often eaten in combination with honey and good (red) wine. Olive oil is produced all across Italy, since it is often used in the Italian cuisine. This is also the case for the Crete Senesi. Truffles are also found in the Crete Senesi, it offers a forty square meter area with white truffles. Truffles are a luxury product so it’s a true goldmine for the Crete Senesi region, they call it white gold for a reason.

CHIANTI REGION

The Chianti region is well known because of the Chianti vineyards where the famous Chianti Classico is produced, but also because of its beautiful landscapes full of olive trees and the little medieval style villages. A popular activity to do in the Chianti wine region is visiting a wine house where you can taste and purchase the Chianti Classico wine.

Panzano is a small town located on a hill in the Chianti region which provides you with beautiful views over the surrounding hills.

Gaiole is located in the middle of the wine region circled by wine fields and castles. Its location is truly stunning and definitely worth your visit. Furthermore, Gaiole also owns Italy’s oldest wine house where Chianti Classico is produced.

Another interesting town to visit is Radda in Chianti. It is well known as one of the most fascinating villages in the Chianti region which is definitely worth a visit since it is surrounded by medieval walls and small alleyways, which are spread throughout the town. In addition, it has a town hall and a palace which where build in the 15^th century, Radda also has a church out of the 13^th century.

Shopping

Are you a fan of big brands? Than look no further than the Chianti region and vicinity: it has multiple outlets such as The Mall in Lecco Reggello, Lo Spaccio in Montevarchi and the Barberino Fashion Outlet in Barberino di Mugello. At these outlets you will find brands such as Gucci, Armani, Valentino, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, Tod’s, Fendi and Ermenegildo Zegna.

Events

The small town of Panzano offers several wine events throughout the summer season with the biggest and well visited ones like Festa Della Stagion Bona which starts at 25 April, and Vino al Vino which is a popular wine festival organized at the end of September.

AREZZO

Arezzo è senz’altro una delle città più belle della Toscana. Le sue origini affondano le radici al tempo degli Etruschi. Fu inoltre una città fiorente in età romana grazie alla vocazione all’artigianato che la caratterizza fino ai giorni nostri. Di quel lontano passato, troviamo innumerevoli vestigia come l’Anfiteatro romano (sec. I-II) appena fuori dal centro storico, oppure le mura e il santuario etruschi di San Cornelio. Altri reperti antichi sono esposti al Museo archeologico statale “Gaio Cilnio Mecenate”. La fioritura politica e culturale di Arezzo continuò fino alla battaglia di Campaldino(1298). La città conserva tutt’oggi il suo fascino medievale a testimonianza dei suoi antichi fasti: si pensi alla maestosità di Santa Maria della Pieve, alla bellezza di San Domenico dov’è custodito il celebre Crocifisso del Cimabue, capolavoro della pittura duecentesca. E non dimenticatevi di visitare la chiesa di San Francesco e il suo celebre ciclo di affreschi: La leggenda della vera Croce, il punto più alto di Piero della Francesca. La città ha conservato la propria vitalità anche nel Rinascimento, come ci testimonia l’elegante chiesa Santa Maria delle Grazie e le Logge vasariane. Altre importanti collezioni sono esposte al Museo statale di Arte Medievale e Moderna e nella Casa Museo “Giorgio Vasari”. La vita aretina è colorata da festival e mercati: tra gli eventi degni di nota ricordiamo la celebre Fiera dell’Antiquariato che si svolge lungo tutto il centro storico ogni primo fine settimana del mese. Se andate ad Arezzo, non perdete l’occasione di visitare Piazza Grande: pittoresca cornice che racchiude armoniosamente stili architettonici che vanno dal XIII al XVIII sec. Qui vengono organizzate svariate manifestazioni, della quali la più celebre è la Giostra del Saracino, rievocazione medievale tenuta il penultimo sabato di giugno e la prima domenica di settembre. Per concludere, alcune parole sulla cucina tradizionale aretina: essa è caratterizzata dalla sua semplicità e naturalezza, così come è generalmente conosciuta la cucina toscana: basata su pochi ingredienti, genuini e completi per una pietanza squisita. Un esempio è la carne chianina, razza che essendo allevata da 22 secoli, appartiene a una delle più antiche al mondo.  Tra i prodotti agricoli d’eccellenza spiccano i fagioli zolfini, una varietà originaria del Pratomagno in Casentino.