People have been visiting Italy for centuries and Tuscany has been part of the famous Grand Tour almost since it began in the late 17th century. Certainly, as the Grand Tour flourished in the 18th century, several Tuscan cities were very important itinerary stops, among them Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca and San Gimignano. And by the mid 19th century, travelling to Italy, that had once been reserved for the elite and academics, started to be extended to the Victorian middle classes and even to American tourists who started to explore Italy for the first time. Back to today and Tuscany remains one of Italy’s most visited regions. In fact, year after year, it’s the second most visited region in Italy, beaten only by the Veneto.
Many of you may therefore have already started ticking off items on your Tuscany bucket list. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller to Tuscany or someone looking to visit for the very first time (what a treat you have in store for you!) take a look at our Tuscany bucket list for your next trip to Italy. 30 things to do in Tuscany that should be on anyone’s bucket list!
- Spend the day in Florence to explore the Duomo, Uffizi, Palazzo Vecchio and Accademia before walking across the Ponte Vecchio to admire the Boboli gardens (whilst there visit the world’s oldest pharmacy at the Basilica Santa Maria Novella)
- Visit the birthplace of Pinocchio in Collodi
- Discover how the Tuscans make their incredible virgin olive oil at one of the many olive groves in the region
- Prop up the Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Climb the Torre Grossa, the only one of San Gimignano’s towers that it is possible to climb up.
- Take a trip to the marble quarries in Carrara
- Join the wealthy Florentines on the beaches of Forte dei Marmi and Viareggio
- Go outlet shopping at The Mall
- Enjoy a passeggiata in one of Tuscany’s ‘borghi piu belli dāItalia‘
- Play a round of golf at Italy’s oldest golf course – Golf Club dell’Ugolino – just outside Florence
- Enjoy all the fun of the fair at Tuscany’s largest amusement park – Cavallino Matto
- Enjoy a wine tasting in Tuscany’s famous Chianti region
- Sample the truffles at Tuscany’s most famous truffle fair in San Miniato
- Enjoy the 4km walk along Lucca’s city walls
- Attend one of Andrea Bocelli’s concerts at the Teatro del Silenzio
- Visit the smallest theatre in the world in Vetriano
- Explore the Roman remains in Volterra or Fiesole
- Go dolphin and whale watching off Tuscany’s coastline
- Search for a bargain at Arezzo’s monthly antiques market
- Enjoy a soak in Tuscany’s thermal waters (these include those at Gambassi Terme, the Terme di Petriolo near Montalcino, the Terme di Saturnia, Casciana Terme, the Bagna di Lucca and the Bagni San Filippo)
- Enjoy an aperitivo in Siena’s Piazza del Campo
- Sample Tuscany’s most famous dish – Bistecca alla Fiorentina
- Take a boat trip to the island of Elba
- Head underground to explore what’s below Tuscany’s surface at the Antro del Corchia caves.
- Visit Cortona, the setting for one of the most famous 20th century books which looks at life in Italy – Frances Mayes’ āUnder the Tuscan Sunā
- Visit the Gaudi-esque sculptures and artworks at the open-air Giardino dei Tarocchi
- Follow in the footsteps of thousands of Christians by heading to La Verna, St Francisā mountaintop retreat, where you can enjoy spectacular views over the Apennine mountains.
- Take a walk along the Vie Cave
- Make a point of exploring Tuscany on one of its more unusual modes of transport – from the sky in a hot air balloon or by land via steam train.
- Go back in time at the Medieval festival in Monteriggioni