Top 10 Must see sights of Tuscany, Italy

For world class Tuscany holidays, travelers have to make sure to visit the centres of Florence, Siena, San Gimignano and Pienza, Val d’Orcia and the Cathedral of Pisa. These are all designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Tuscany hotels have character and are as varied as the following 10 provinces:

1. Arezzo –Watch the famous crossbow competitions, ‘Palio della Balestra’ held on the last Sunday in May and the second Sunday in September in Sansepolcro or the ‘Giostra del Saracino’. There is jousting, processions and tournaments held on the third Sunday in June and first Sunday in September.
2. Firenze (Florence) – Home of the shopping heaven known as the Via de’Tornabuoni, famous designers have shops here and Tuscany hotels are well represented. Alternatively, start an Easter break with a bang during ‘Scoppio del Carro’ when a huge cart with fireworks is set off to ensure a good harvest. Between April and June, Florence hosts a series of concerts, recitals, opera and ballet called the ‘Maggio Musicale’. On 24th June, there is a costumed parade followed by the ‘Calcio Storico’, a game where football, rugby and wrestling are combined.
3. Grosseto – Choose 4 star Tuscany hotels or Maremma holiday farm in surroundings described by some as mystical but with a bit of beach time thrown in! Don’t miss the Saturnia Hot Springs, where there is free bathing in natural pools and waterfalls. This is the devils’ doorway to hell and legendary meeting place of wizards and witches.
4. Livorno– If boats are your thing then you will find them here as it’s the hub of the cruise ship tourist industry.
5. Lucca –Here you will find the ‘Grotta del Vento’ or ‘Wind Caves’ where the cliffs and drops offer spectacular scenery for those with a head for heights. Visit the Giacomo Puccini House Museum and the nature reserve at Apuan Regional Park. May is festival time and two annual events to look out for are Lucca Summer Festival, which has previously hosted Santana, Eric Clapton and Lucca Comic and Games, the largest annual comic festival in Italy.
6. Pisa –On 16th June, celebrations honour the patron saint of Pisa with over 70,000 candles lighting up the palaces along the Arno River and a fireworks display. About a week later there is a re-enactment of the ‘Battle of the Bridge’ and a costumed procession.
7. Pistoia – Blues fans, book your Tuscan holiday in July and stay at a hotel in Pistoia. Blues artists from all over the world gather in the main square during early July. After this you will be so mellow that they hold the ‘Giostra dell’Orso’, a jousting tournament, on the 25th to wake you up! ‘Orso’ is Italian for ‘bear’ so beware!
8. Prato – The third largest city in central Italy, Prato offers Tuscany holidays with a difference. This is a centre for the textile industry and about 15 top designers have outlet stores here.
9. Siena – 2nd July and 16th August are dates not to miss for bareback horse races, feasts and pageantry. On the last Sunday in August in Montepulciano, they rest the horses and have a barrel rolling race instead.
10. Massa-Carrara – Little is said about Tuscany holidays here. Visit the famous marble quarries or discover what secrets the area holds.

Mark the respective dates on your calendar and start planning your trip to the Tuscany region of Italy! 🙂 – Travel Feeder, the ultimate travel photo blog.

About The Author

Cecil Lee

The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.