Top Tips to the Best Sights While on Holidays in Tuscany

Ask anyone what's their favourite region of Italy, and chances are the answer will be Tuscany. With its rolling verdant hills, sprawling vineyards, centuries-old villas cradled by olive and citrus groves, and cities filled with ancient edifices and artistic masterpieces dating to the Renaissance and beyond, it's no wonder holidays in Tuscany are on the bucket list of almost everyone who dreams of travel to Italy.

Pisa, Siena, Cortona, Florence, Lucca and Arezzo – the list of stunning Tuscan towns goes on and on. With such a wealth of choice, coming up with an itinerary can be difficult. Below, we list a few of the region’s best and most beautiful attractions, which definitely shouldn't be missed when planning holidays in Tuscany.

Duomo di Siena, Siena

If gorgeous Gothic cathedrals are high on your list of "must-sees" on your holidays in Tuscany, they don’t come more breathtaking than the Duomo di Siena in, naturally, Siena. Renowned as one of the most beautiful structures in Italy, construction of this majestic cathedral began in 1196 (replacing a small medieval church in the 9th century) and took nearly three quarters of a century to complete. Contributing to its creation was a host of famous sculptors, architects, and artists, including Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Nicola Pisano, who is known as the founder of modern sculpture.

Externally, the cathedral features several different façades, one for every direction, with the west façade (where the entrance is situated) being the most intricate. The inside is filled with Gothic sculptures, Renaissance artwork, and Baroque detailing; however, the most fascinating works are the 59 floor panels, created between 1372 and 1547 by Italy’s greatest artists, and the mosaic floor.

The Uffizi, Florence

The cache of historically important works of art is often behind the reason so many people book holidays in Tuscany, and there’s no better to place to see them than in The Uffizi Gallery, in Florence. Botticelli, da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Michelangelo are only some of the great artists whose works are showcased by this immense and overwhelming gallery. Its home in the Palazzo degli Uffizi, a building originally constructed as offices for the Medici family and the Florentine magistrates, it is a work of art in itself, with an inner courtyard considered by architecture historians as the "first regularised streetscape in Europe." The gallery houses approximately 1,700 artistic masterpieces, with another 1,400 pieces either held in storage or loaned out to other museums. A word of warning however: be sure to get there early as it is one of the most popular attractions in Florence, and queues can be horrendous.

Terme di Saturnia, Saturnia

It would be a great shame not to enjoy some of the many natural wonders of the region during your holidays in Tuscany. A visit to Terme di Saturnia is a great place to kill two birds with one stone. The Saturnia hot springs are visually awe-inspiring, with heated underground springs, natural waterfalls, and rock formations embracing welcoming natural pools. The site is so beautiful, in fact, that it has been nicknamed "the spa of the gods". However, beauty isn’t the only reason visitors flock here: the steamy sulphuric waters, heated to a constant 37 °C, are also reputed to have healing properties.

Carolyn Spinks is COO of ABTOI - The Association of British Travel Organisers to Italy. If you’re looking for the perfect holidays in Tuscany their LoveItaly website provides destination information, contact details of tour operator members to help you plan the best Italian holiday, ‘insider’ tips, year round special offers and information on everything from beach holidays in Sardinia, cycling in Sicily, to a wedding or honeymoon in Tuscany.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.