Tuscany
Italy
- Countryscape
- Ancient towns, fertile slopes
- Country life
- Pleasures for every palate
When mother Nature was handing out charm, she really piled the goodies up high when it came to this above-the-knee patch of Italy.
If the slopes dotted with cypress trees and olive groves don’t win your heart, the aromas and flavours of the flourishing farmlands will, via your stomach. Perfectly preserved Renaissance treasures in culture-packed ancient cities scream out for attention, while the quieter lure of Maremma, Italy’s Wild West, is characterised by beautiful coastline, hot springs and marshes once patrolled by cowboys. Don’t let Tuscany’s popularity with tourists fool you into thinking you can’t get away from it all here – sure, this beloved province will treat you to the gamut of holiday activities, but whether you feel like touring mediaeval hilltop villages, hitting the designer boutiques, or flopping on a lounger-for-two for poolside sun-kissed snoozing, Tuscany’s allure can be enjoyed at every pace.
Pictured: Villa Bordoni
Boutique hotels in Tuscany
Our round-up of the hippest hideaways and boutique hotels in Tuscany
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Getting there
Planes, trains, automobiles, or maybe even helicopter – we tell you the best way to go.
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Worth getting out of bed for
Highlights the best Tuscany has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.
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Eating, drinking & dancing
We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Tuscany.
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Smith Maps
Here is the map of Tuscany; each Mr & Mrs Smith hotel is marked by a flag; click it for more details.
moreLocal knowledge
- Taxis
- Your best bet is to ask your hotel to organise pick-ups and transfers for you, as you won’t be able to hail a taxi in the hills.
- Tipping culture
- Service charges aren’t a huge deal here, so forking out five or 10 per cent extra is the polite thing to do. It's cheaper to drink your coffee standing at the bar than sitting down; leave a couple of small coins if you like.
- Siesta and Fiesta
- Many shops close between 1pm and 5pm. Restaurants get especially busy from 8pm to 9pm. Sundays can be very quiet in the smaller towns and villages.
- Packing tips
- Bring tress-taming headscarves and caps for open-top touring; a designer bikini and some walking shoes will ensure you get the best of coast and country.
- Recommended reads
- Frances Mayes restores a villa and lives the rural dream in Under the Tuscan Sun; gothic novel In Maremma by Ouida recalls the grittier side of 19th-century romance; John Mortimer’s Chiantishire comedy thriller Summer’s Lease provides a witty take on holidays in Tuscany. Other classics include A Room with a View by EM Forster and Giovanni Boccaccio's The Decameron.
- Cuisine
- Peasant fare is at its finest in Tuscany, with fagioli-filled tasty soups and stews often the headline acts. Supporting roles are played by beautiful green cold-pressed olive oil, pecorino cheese, spinach, mushrooms, and wild boar from Maremma’s pine forests. You’ll certainly appreciate a hearty meal, to help you soak up the irresistible liquid enticements of Chiantis, Brunellos and Montepulcianos. The sweet-toothed should sample the rainbow of tempting flavours on offer at a gelateria, or try a slice of Panforte di Siena: a spicy, chewy calorie bomb of almonds, honey, cocoa and candied peel. Head to Nannini’s patisserie in Siena at Conca d’Oro on Via Banchi di Sopra for the best panforte, cantucci and orange-infused riciarelli biscuits (+39 0577 236009).
- Currency
- Euro (€).
- Time zone
- GMT +1.
- Dialing codes
- Country code for Italy: 39. Florence: 055; Grosseto: 0564; Pisa: 050; Siena: 0577.
- Do go/don't go
- Tuscany can be busy with tourists throughout the summer months, although once you’ve escaped to your retreat you won’t notice. The cities of Florence and Siena in particular are best enjoyed outside the peak summer season.
