Tuscany flights and travel guide

Medieval villages hidden behind towering cypresses and miles of emerald vineyards, Italy's prized Toscana has remained virtually unchanged since the days of the Renaissance. And long before tourists became enraptured by it the region of Tuscany was home to many of Italy’s greatest artists including Michelangelo and Leonardo de Vinci.

Florence, the capital, is the first stop for travellers taking flights to Tuscany. Renowned for being the birthplace of the Renaissance, the city is a living art gallery with museums in every piazza and Baroque churches dotted throughout. Wine aficionados can drive to Chianti from Florence where the famous red wine is produced, then head south to Siena the home of the elegant Palazzo Pubblico, Tuscany’s tallest tower. Music aficionados should book a flight to Tuscany in summer when the international Siena Jazz festival is in full swing.

The lesser known, but equally as fascinating, other Tuscan cities are also well worth a visit. A short drive from Florence is the preserved city of Lucca. Nestled between olive groves and wineries the city was once an important stopover for pilgrims and crusaders travelling from the north of Europe. Arezzo, in the east, is where the famous inventor of modern musical notation Guido d'Arezzo was born. Every summer the city plays host to one of Italy’s most important events, a medieval jousting tournament - the Giostra del Saracino.

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Tuscany climate

The region of Tuscany has a temperate climate with warm, dry summers and cool winters. Spring is warm and dry with temperatures in the teens in April and May. July and August are the hottest months with temperatures are in the high 20s. September cools down to the low 20s, and December through February are usually about zero or just over it. Winter is also the rainy season, but it rarely snows.

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When to fly to Tuscany

Peak season:

July and August are the peak months of Tuscany's high season which runs from April to mid-October. The evenings tend to be cool and provide relief from the heat and pollution.

Easter week is also a very busy time, and busloads of schoolchildren arrive from March to May to visit the museums and historical sights. If you're planning on visiting during peak season, book Tuscany flights far in advance.

Off season:

The shoulder season is April to June and September and October. The weather is pleasant and there are fewer tourists.

December is cold and crisp, but the rest of the winter tends to be cold and damp.

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Tuscany insider information

• Head to Monte Argentario, which was once an island. Visit its two charming towns - Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano. For those looking to splurge you can charter a private yacht at the Cala Galera Marina in Porto Ercole or take a ferry to the island of Giglio.
• Wine connoisseurs can’t miss a trip to Montalcino home of Italy’s famous Brunello red wine. While there, stop by the 14^th century fortress, Rocca, which has a wine bar where visitors can sample some vintage wine from the region.
• Outdoor enthusiasts should hike up to Fiesole, a small town that sits above the city of Florence. The town was made famous after a scene in the movie A Room with a View was shot there. Visit the Roman baths, Roman theatre, Palazzo Comunale and Il Duome which contains St. Romulus’s shrine.
• Fans of Frances Mayes' books Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany should visit the medieval town of Cortona where both books were set. Dubbed  the "City of Art," this small town has museums and palazzos that house fascinating Etruscan remains and 15^th century Italian art.

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Tuscany airports

There are two main airports for flights to Tuscany:

Peretola Airport (FLR) (Florence) (website: www.aeroporto.firenze.it)

Pisa International Airport Galileo Galilei (PSA) is located 1.5km (1 mile) north of the city.

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