Find Tuscan Treasures in Florence and Beyond

Florence, Siena Famous for Renaissance Architecture, Fabulous Food

Jul 21, 2009

Seasoned travelers to Italy are more likely to opt for a regional visit, like to Tuscany, rather than one that leaves them with only a taste of the great country.

Italy has no single cultural identity. When one considers its size (116,320 square miles), population (57.5 million), politics (it did not become a unified nation until 1861), and number of regions (21 stretching from the Alps to Sicily), it's easy to understand why. Its people speak a variety of dialects, enjoy a wide range of cuisines, and display an overwhelming sense of pride in their artistic and cultural heritage.

Because of its diversity, exploring region-by-region is the best approach. While Rome is the most visited, Tuscany ranks second in popularity. And why not? Mention the name and images of Renaissance art, ramparts and towers, piazzas and campos, medieval hill towns, and vineyard-dotted countryside compete for your attention.

Florence, Siena, Cortona, San Gimignano; the Medici, Michelangelo, Giotto, Botticelli; olive oil, mortadella, pecorino, biscotti; Chianti, Brunello Di Montalcino, Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano, Vin Santo. The biggest decision for any visitor to this glorious region is where to start.

Florence: Capital of the Province

One of the world' s most majestic and artistic cities, Florence is the best place to begin. Try the hop-on hop-off bus tour, which includes 15 stops, for orientation. The city is technically divided into four historic districts named for important churches- Santa Maria Novella, San Giovanni, Santa Croce, and Santo Spirito-all north of the River Arno, which divides the city from east to west.

Walking tours are also popular. "Florence in a Day," led by an expert in Florentine and Renaissance history, leads tourists through the city offering insights no guide book could possibly provide. The tour also includes a morning visit to the Accademia to view Michelangelo's "David" and his four "Slaves" and an afternoon visit to the spectacular Uffizi. The all-inclusive tour includes pre-paid reservation/entrance fees at each museum that guarantees no waiting in line.

Between the two locations, the tour passes through Piazza del Duomo, the epicenter of Florence, where three of the city's most striking edifices are located: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, a masterpiece of medieval and Renaissance engineering; the octagon-shaped Battistero di San Giovanni, or baptistery, used for centuries to baptize every Florentine child; and the Campanile, the cathedral's bell tower, designed by Giotto.

Art and architecture aside, Florence is also a terrific town for shopping, window- or otherwise. Undoubtedly, a saunter across the Ponte Vecchio will be on an agenda, but be advised that this is no bridge for bargain hunters or souvenir seekers. All that glitters truly is gold here, but other authentic Florentine treasures can be found in shops throughout the city.

From packed stalls, vendors peddle look-alike designer leather goods in markets near Mercato Centrale, the city's main food market, and at Mercato Nuovo, the "new market" (1547), off of Piazza della Repubblica. Within this market, very close to the Piazza della Signoria, is Il Porcellino, a bronze statue of a wild boar, designed in 1612.

One legend says if a visitor kisses the boar's nose, he or she will return to Florence or have good luck; another says that if a a visitor places a coin in the mouth of the boar, and if it falls in the slot below, he, too, will return to Florence.

But for a taste of Tuscany on a grand scale, head to Mercato Centrale in the heart of San Lorenzo to wander the stalls of the city's busiest food market. This two-storey building of cast iron and glass was built in 1847 and houses a mouth-watering array of Tuscan treasures ranging from porchetta (roast suckling pig) and lampredotto (pig's intestines) to truffles, cheese, and a full range of local fruits and vegetables, fish, and cheese. Visitors can shop for non-perishable food souvenirs like olive oil, dried mushrooms, and pasta.

Other Tuscan cities that deserve a visit include Siena, well-known for its zebra-striped Duomo, which many claim is superior to that of Florence, and Il Campo, the scallop-shaped main square where the ancient horse race, The Palio, is run twice yearly on July 2 and August 16.

Montepulciano, a classic Tuscan hill town with only one main street, the Corso, is the place to sample and buy its velvety Vino de Nobile wine. San Gimignano, famous for its towers and production of Vernaccia white wine and and medieval Cortona, founded by the Etruscans in the 8th century, are also worth a day's exploration. Up-to-the-minute tourist infomation for the region is available at the central railway station and the airport.

With narrow, sometimes difficult roads to maneuver, a good idea is to stay put and take day trips. Two splendid properties-Villa San Michele in the hilltop town of Fiesole and Il Falconiere, a lovely estate in Camuchia, outside of Cortona, are highly recommended. Following daily tours, visitors can return "home" each afternoon and enjoyed incredible Tuscan-inspired meals each evening without ever having to make a decision on where to eat.

The copyright of the article Find Tuscan Treasures in Florence and Beyond in Italy Travel is owned by Margaret Johnson. Permission to republish Find Tuscan Treasures in Florence and Beyond in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.