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- Destinations
- Europe
- Italy
- Tuscany
Tuscany
Tuscany's rolling hills are garlanded with cypress trees, lush
vines and olive groves, that make way here and there for sleepy
villages and medieval hill-towns. The area rests languidly in the
middle of the Italian peninsula, with parts stretching to the
coastline of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Snaking through the Tuscan
landscape from Florence to Pisa and soaking its thirsty banks is
the Arno River. Akin to the gentle flow of a river is the ebb of
life in the region. People work in the fields in much the same way
AS their ancestors did before them, producing some of Italy's
finest wines and olive oils. From this same landscape emerges a
profusion of art and architecture that has grafted Italy onto the
world's cultural map. Tuscany was the birthplace of the
Renaissance, a period of unprecedented innovation in art,
architecture and humanist scholarship. The grandeur of the High
Renaissance was enjoyed during the Medici family's reign, when they
commissioned the art and architecture that lives on within the
elegant precincts of Florence.
Information & Facts
Climate
Tuscany has a mild Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and
cool, wet winters. Winter temperatures range from 50°F to 59°F
(10°C to 15°C), while summer temperatures range between 77°F and
86°F (25°C and 30°C). Humidity can be high. The best time to visit
Tuscany is in May, September and October.
Eating Out
Most visitors to Italy will have heard of Tuscan food. A visit
to Tuscany is a gastronomic affair from start to finish. With a
great selection of regional specialities, visitors will be spoilt
for choice.
Language
The official language of Italy is Italian. English is
understood in the larger cities but not in the more remote parts of
the country.
Money
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, which is divided into
100 cents. Those arriving in Italy with foreign currency can obtain
Euros through any bank, ATM or bureaux de change. ATMs are
widespread. Travellers cheques can be exchanged with ease in the
large cities, not so in the smaller towns. Credit cards are
accepted in upmarket establishments and shops around the cities.
Banks are closed on weekends, but tend to have better rates than
casas de cambios.
Sightseeing
Tuscany has a number of interesting attractions and exciting day
trips. From the ancient castles and great wine of the Chianti
region, through to Montepulciano's limestone ridge, tourists
visiting the region will have more than enough to see and do in
Tuscany. The charm of San Gimignano should not be missed, while the
Truscan sites are facinating and walking along the ancient Roman
roads of Lucca is an equally enchanting experience.