Tuscany is one of Italy's most fascinating regions, offering a distinctive blend of art, architecture, cuisine and natural beauty. The villages in the Chianti region and along the Maremma coast
are nestled among rolling hills, vineyards, olive groves and cypress trees. We took a painting course at Villa Pallagione, hidden away in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, in 2000, and we still remember it fondly.
Florence is a cultural metropolis and the spiritual cradle of the Renaissance. Its landmark is the Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore, whose dome was designed by Brunelleschi and is visible from afar. Nearby are the Baptistry of San Giovanni and the Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi), home to masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael. Michelangelo's famous 'David' statue can be seen in the Galleria dell'Accademia. The Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella basilicas feature important frescoes, while the Palazzo Pitti illustrates the life of the Medici family.
Pisa was once a rich maritime republic. Today, Pisa is world-famous for its Piazza dei Miracoli. Here stand the Leaning Tower, the Romanesque cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and the monumental baptistery. The University of Pisa, founded in 1343, is steeped in tradition.
In Siena, the medieval cityscape of sacred and civic culture remains virtually unchanged. The center is Piazza del Campo, where the famous Palio horse race takes place. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta impresses with its Gothic architecture and magnificent furnishings. The Palazzo Pubblico with the Torre del Mangia displays frescoes illustrating the Middle Ages.
Tuscan delicacies include pappa al pomodoro (tomato soup) and bistecca alla fiorentina, as well as wines such as Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
