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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