Will you be visiting Tuscan anytime soon, or you just want to read up, here are the top 3 Tuscan adventures you can try out on your visit.
Vespas and The Tuscany Countryside
I was foolish enough to wear a skirt that day, I mean, I had seen plenty of Italian women on Vespas in dresses, skirts… so it must be okay, right? Ummm not if you don’t know how to ride one, ha! The Vespa instructors/guides saved the day as they were very patient with me while I practiced my “vespa’ing” before we took off on our tour of the Tuscan countryside.
Hint: If you don’t know how or are not very comfortable with your Vespa skills, wear pants! The experience was unbeatable though. There was a group of about 12 of us on the Vespas and we visited several wineries and had a picnic lunch at one of the vineyards. A great memorable day.
You do not want to be outdone by the wonderful cheeses and meats whether you love Chianti wine, or maybe olives, … it’s a foodie’s paradise in Tuscany… as well as romance. Read on for my top 3 destination ideas for Tuscany.
Florence Italy
Florence: It’s very renowned for its Renaissance architecture and art center with several excellent museums. From the cathedrals to the duomo to the landscape, it just shouldn’t be missed. It’s also the chianti region.
My favorite tip of things to do: Vespa ride through the countryside. Tuscany Vespa tours offer one-day Vespa tours just south of Florence in the heart of the Chianti wine region. A single-day Vespa tour in Tuscany has everything from wine and oil tasting, to visiting a charming 12th-century medieval castle that is home to a Count and Countess.
What a beautiful way to spend the day with your loved one. It’s a memory you will cherish for years to come!
Cortona Italy
Made famous by the “Under the Tuscan Sun” book. Surrounded by 3,000-year-old Etruscan walls, Cortona retains much of its history through its layers of architecture. Cortona’s stately buildings include the Abbazia Farneta and the Chiesa San Francesco.
This area has a large American expatriate community so tourists from the States will find plenty of English speakers. In Cortona, how about a Tuscan e Gusto cooking lesson: We dedicate our cooking sessions to those who wish to learn Cortona and Tuscany recipes and techniques for the preparation of a sunny, healthy Mediterranean cuisine.
Whatever is your level of culinary experience our Cooking School is passionate about teaching in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, attentive to details. The in-house Chef program is available for a special occasion or just to enjoy at your home the pleasure of a Tuscan menu.
Montepulciano Italy
There is yet another walled city in Tuscany, it is built on a sloping and narrow limestone ridge. Montepulciano has one of the most impressive main squares in Tuscany. It has many beautiful Renaissance buildings, including the Chiesa di Sant’Agostino.
Visit the Avignonesi or Gattavecchi vineyards or any of Montepulciano’s many wineries for a taste of the famed Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Wine and Dine…Another suggestion which is a little less travel (so maybe a bit more secluded and romantic): head south towards Montalcino and the famous aromas of Brunello.
Next door you will find the newly denominated flavors of Orcia DOC, a mix of reds, whites, and sweet wines. Another area to visit is right next to Pienza; where you can delve into the barriques of the Vino Nobile from the Montepulciano area.
Italy is a beautiful country and you can read some more here and here
