What should I NOT miss when I go to Tuscany??

Question

Besides the obvious Pisa and Florence. Any specifics?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I wouldn't skip Pisa, even though you probably wouldn't want to spend more than a day there (or maybe even half a day)

Absolutely no skipping Florence.

Definitely visit Siena. S.Gimignano and Volterra are also two of my favorites. Touristy, but nonetheless just beautiful.

S. Donato in Poggio and sorrounding areas are also really beautiful..

Bottom line is -- wherever you are in Tuscany you can't go wrong.

Answer 2

Piero della Francesca's frescoes in Arezzo.

Experiencing a farmers' or antiques market.

Going off the beaten track to rustic osterias for lunch.

The Chianti Classico wine route (Route 222 from Florence to Siena + side-trips to Radda, Brolio etc.)

San Gimignano towers

Tuscan antipasti

Roast pork ("porchetta") rolls from a road-side van

The Piazza del Campo in Siena

Walking around the walls of Lucca, which are topped by a municipal park and bike/walking track - the most amazing views of the old city and people's beautiful courtyards.

Somewhere you SHOULD miss...

Poggibonsi

For an "official" list, Eyewitness Top 10 Guides list the Top 10 Tuscany highlights as follows:

1. The Uffizi Art Gallery, Florence

2. The Duomo (Cathedral), including belltower and baptistry, Florence

3. Pitti Palace, Florence (includes Boboli gardens)

4. San Gimignano

5. Campo dei Miracoli (the so-called "Field of Miracles", in the locale of the Cathedral, where the Torre Pendente (leaning tower), the Cathedral's belltower, is located).

6. Siena's Duomo

7. Siena's Campo & Palazzo Pubblico (Town Hall), where the tall tower referred to by the previous poster is located.

8. The Chianti region.

9. Cortona, setting of Frances Mayes' book (now film) "Under the Tuscan Sun".

10. Lucca

Answer 3

Skip Pisa and go to Sienna.  So much more to see and do.  It also has big tower by the way, with a fab view.  Also lots of great Siennese food: e.g. panaforte mmmmm!

Answer 4

I agree with the above commenter about visiting Siena instead of Pisa.

Expanding on the theme of that comment:

avoid touristy stuff in Tuscany.  In Rome I would not advise this.  but Tuscany is all about soaking in the atmosphere and the wonderful lifestyle/landscape of the region.  

Pick a small Tuscan hilltop city to spend a few days in.  don't plan too much.  go with the flow.

Answer 5

It all depends what are you  looking for.I've been in Tuscany I was looking for magapolis escape somwhere in the middle of nowhere.I found Albereso.I'ts a park zone on the sea shore , where locals spend their weekends.Irt was so recharging , free beaches , great sea I totally recharged

myself just in 1 day which I spent there

If you are looking for yourist attractions more  go to Milan andVenice it's very unique, but very expensive

Answer 6

Travel and spend atleast a day exploring Cinque Terre along the coast,  villages where in some cars cant even reach them only by boat, walking to some and the train to a few of them.  travel the paths between them and explore the coastal atmosphere