The charming beauty of the 'heart of Italy'

An Tran• February 24, 2018 19:06

Tuscany or Toscana is the heart of Italy and is famous for its picturesque landscape. Tuscany consists of 10 provinces in central Italy, covering an area of about 23,000 square kilometers.

Fairytale scenery in Tuscany - Photo: Mauro Maione

Tuscany is famous for its endless olive groves, ancient stone houses, vast sunflower fields, medieval castles, charming Renaissance cities with straight rows of cypress trees and green lawns.

It can be said that Tuscany converges all the unique characteristics of Italy. In Tuscany, time seems to stop, visitors when coming here are immersed in a past rich in history and tradition.

In addition to its landscape, Tuscany is famous for its rich cultural and artistic heritage and exquisite cuisine. Florence is the cradle of the European Renaissance with brilliant achievements in painting and architecture.

Many paintings, frescoes and sculptures by great names such as Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Donatello are held in high esteem in Florence museums and churches in many of the region's small towns.

Florence attracts 10 million tourists every year. The city of Siena with its annual horse races, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and countless beautiful towns like San Gimignano, Pienza and Cortona, the green vineyards along places like Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, the hills covered with wildflowers in spring and a beautiful winding coastline of Elba, Giglio, Montecristo, Capraia, Pianosa, Giannutri and Gorgona.

Morning on the green hills - Photo: Mauro Maione

Rows of cypress trees in Tuscany - Photo: Mauro Maione

Even in the dry season, Tuscany is beautiful - Photo: Mauro Maione

Grape fields in the morning mist - Photo: Mauro Maione

The green grass fields are like waves - Photo: Mauro Maione

When talking about Tuscany, it is impossible not to mention the rich cuisine of this place. When coming to Tuscany, you must definitely try wine made from grapes of this land, and eat the typical cake of the Tuscana region, Cantuccini.

Drop the Cantuccini into a glass of wine and let it absorb the alcohol. When you enjoy it, you will find it soft, spongy and very fragrant. Don't forget to try the bistecca fiorentina, oak-grilled beef, marinated in olive oil and local herbs.

To discover the beauty of Tuscany, you can go to the cities of Florence or Siena and then buy a 1-day, 2-day or more tour to small towns like Montalcino, Pienza...

But the most interesting way is to rent a scooter to ride around this area to explore all the corners, hills, farms. Or if you have more time, rent a bicycle, leisurely cycling between the blue sky, golden sunshine, two rows of cypress trees and up and down slopes - typical of Tuscany.