Tuscany

Italy’s great Tuscany province seduces with art and scenic vistas

Tuscany is one of the most culturally and politically influential provinces -- the development of Italy without Tuscany is simply unthinkable. It was Tuscany, with its sun-warmed vineyards and towering cypresses, that inspired the artists of the Renaissance. Nowhere in the world is the impact of the Renaissance still felt more fully than in its birthplace, Florence, the repository of artistic works left by Leonardo and Michelangelo. Since the 19th century, travelers have been flocking to Florence to see the Donatello bronzes, the Botticelli smiles, and all the other preeminent treasures. Alas, it's now an invasion, so you run the risk of being trampled as you explore the city’s historic heart. To escape, head for the nearby Tuscan hill towns, former stamping ground of the Guelphs and Ghibellines. The main cities to visit are Lucca, Pisa, and especially Siena, Florence's great historical rival with an inner core that appears to be caught in a time warp. As a final treat, visit San Gimignano, northwest of Siena, celebrated for its medieval "skyscrapers."

© 2009, Wiley Publishing, Inc.