Tuscany

Tuscany is the Italian countryside of cinema and myth: Rolling hills covered in vineyards, castle-topped mountains, colorful city festivals in walled medieval towns, and enough tasty locally grown food to feed the army of tourists who visit every year. Siena is a must-see, for its spectacular cathedral and museums, as well as for its annual Palio horse-race festival. Pisa has been a tourist trap for 200 years, but that Leaning Tower is pretty impressive in person. The lesser known cities of Lucca and Arezzo are also worth visits. Wine country of Chianti is a great place for a bike ride, a scenic drive, and of course tastings at the ...

Tuscany is the Italian countryside of cinema and myth: Rolling hills covered in vineyards, castle-topped mountains, colorful city festivals in walled medieval towns, and enough tasty locally grown food to feed the army of tourists who visit every year. Siena is a must-see, for its spectacular cathedral and museums, as well as for its annual Palio horse-race festival. Pisa has been a tourist trap for 200 years, but that Leaning Tower is pretty impressive in person. The lesser known cities of Lucca and Arezzo are also worth visits. Wine country of Chianti is a great place for a bike ride, a scenic drive, and of course tastings at the many area wineries. With all the key cities only an hour or two drive from each other, visitors should rent a countryside villa, or stay in a rural B&B for the length of their visit, rather than moving every night. Get to know an area, take a horseback ride, a cooking class or an art class, and immerse yourself in this rich culture.

About the Expert

Bill Fink is coauthor of Pauline Frommer's Italy, contributing the introduction, sections on Tuscany and Umbria, and chapters on Italian food, arts, and history.