Holidays in Tuscany will take you on an invigorating trip back through time. From the renaissance art of Florence to the gothic brick buildings in Siena, and the many castles, museums, and supreme works of art in between. Away from the romance of the region’s art and architecture lies a culture of food and wine that will delight the senses. From the sun drenched vineyards and celebrations held during the olive harvest, to the quirky street food and delicious pasta dishes, every day will bring a new culinary experience.
Tuscany holidays aren’t just about city breaks and cultural icons. The countryside has a charm all of its own, with sun drenched hilltop towns, small museums, traditional crafts and local food festivals. Enjoy a hot balmy summer day spent taking in the glorious views, or head to one of the many beaches on the coast and relax before taking a dip in the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.
Our expertise as Italian specialists will ensure that you make the most of every holiday booked with Citalia. We help ensure you never miss the iconic sights of Tuscany, and suggest some lesser known treasures and hidden gems too.
If the busy towns are getting too much, the lush green Valdinievole area between Lucca and Florence is the perfect place to explore small churches, museums and traditional artisan crafts. For a touch of history why not visit the scenic town southwest of Florence, San Gimignano. Encircled by 13th-century walls this town is lined with medieval houses and surrounded by the breathtaking countryside.
Just a 16 minute train ride from Lucca is the perfect summer town of Viareggio. Enjoy a day or more in this Riviera style beach resort. Take a cooling dip in the calm seas as the sun beats down, or take a relaxing stroll along the promenade, which is lined with local shops and cafés.
Take a look at our hotel and flight combinations.
Discover more of Italy on a multi-centre holiday
Discover more of Italy on a multi-centre holiday
Tuscany holidays are a feast for the senses, whether you choose to explore coast, countryside, take a city break, or plan a multi-centre holiday. The region is well known for its art and architecture, spectacular views, and is home to Chianti, the world’s first officially defined wine producing region.
Our Dinner in the Chianti Vineyards Excursion offers a unique insight into wine production, in beautiful surroundings. Spend the evening taking a tour of the wineries, complete with tastings, before dining under the stars on traditional Italian fare, all cooked on the barbecue.
Why not follow an unforgettable evening with unforgettable icons by exploring Pisa and Florence in a day? The world famous Uffizi gallery is quieter in late afternoon, so first take in Pisa’s square of miracles and breath-taking leaning tower, before ending the day in Florence, viewing work by famous renaissance artists including Michelangelo. With just an hour’s train ride between the two, it’s perfect for a day trip.
Ancient city of Cortona in Tuscany
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The majority of international flights arrive into Pisa airport (PSA). Direct flights to Pisa are available from Belfast, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle and take approximately 2 hours.
Tuscany is predominantly a summer destination, with the main tourist season generally running from April to October. Temperatures are at their hottest in July and August, this is also when Tuscany is at its busiest. However, Tuscany also enjoys a mild climate in spring and autumn with temperatures rarely going beneath 20 degrees which makes it perfect for visiting at the beginning or end of season too. The coast has wonderful sea breezes and the hilltop towns are much cooler than the lower countryside villages. The best time to visit is during the quieter season, from April to June and September to October when the weather is good, prices are a bit lower and there are fewer crowds. There are many festivals and events throughout the year in Tuscany and Easter and Christmas are always busy.
Tuscany’s tantalising cuisine crosses different budgets and tastes, while retaining its one common theme. Whether you are wandering the local markets sampling gelato, breads or olive oils, tasting the delights of a street food cart, or dining in a family run restaurant, the common themes are simple dishes and high quality ingredients.
Start your taste experience in Tuscany with a bowl of Pappa al Pomodoro, one of the best examples of traditional Tuscan comfort food. Featuring quintessential Italian flavours, this thick bread soup is widely served throughout the region, so why not sample a few variations to find your favourite? Although recipes may vary from town to town, the principle ingredients are the same, and typically include bread, tomatoes, and delicious Tuscan olive oil.
The autumn season doesn’t just mark the harvesting of grapes and olives in Tuscany, it signifies a change in menus through the restaurants and cafés too. Warming hearty stews and pasta dishes are common, but for a real mouth-watering treat try a risotto flavoured with precious truffles or porcini mushrooms. Risotto is a popular part of Italian food culture, and the perfect dish to share with your partner or friends on a bright autumn day.
One of the best ways to end a relaxing Tuscan meal is by satisfying your sweet tooth with Cantucci. These traditional biscuits originated in Prato, and are famous for their crunchy texture and delicious almond flavour. Eat them on their own or go with tradition and enjoy these twice baked delicacies the right way, with Vin Santo (Holy Wine). Often served up as dessert wine for dipping, Vin Santo adds to the nutty, sweet flavours, for an end of meal treat.
To pre-book one of our specially selected excursions, please call our Italy Experts on 01293 762410*.
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The Foreign Commonwealth Office and the NHS have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk/. Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk For further information, please visit our "Travel Aware" information page at http://www.citalia.com/holidays/content/travel-aware. The advice can change so check regularly for updates.
