Why Go to Tuscany, Italy
YOUR DESTINATION AT A GLANCE
Tuscany is the Italian countryside of your dreams. Ever since Under the Tuscan Sun charmed audiences, this region of central Italy has been synonymous with romance, Chianti wine, olive groves, wonderful cooking and golden sunshine, and in person it lives up to every bit of it.
Picture rolling hills lined with cypress trees, sprawling vineyards and medieval castles and farmhouses turned into wineries and charming places to stay. Spend your days tasting Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile in the countryside, wandering hill towns like San Gimignano with its medieval towers, Montepulciano and Cortona, and driving the beautiful Val d'Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Siena's famous square and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and take a cooking class to learn to make fresh pasta. Florence, the region's capital and birthplace of the Renaissance, is a must for its art and architecture.
Tuscany is best explored by car or with a private driver, with Florence or Pisa as easy arrival points. Time slows down here, so give yourself time to savor it. I'll plan your agriturismo or villa stay, wine tours and countryside route.
BEST FOR
Art enthusiasts, couples, foodies and countryside explorers
BEST MONTHS
April–June and September–October
EXPLORE
Florence is a major cultural base; Siena has a medieval center; Chianti connects vineyard villages, while Val d’Orcia is known for scenic drives and hill towns.
SIX18 SIGNATURE DESTINATION GUIDE
Tuscany, Italy
Europe › Southern Europe › Italy › Tuscany
Hilltop villages, Renaissance art and wine-country landscapes
Historical & Heritage
Art
Culinary
Scenic
SIX18 INSIDER TIP
Reserve major Florence museum tickets in advance, and avoid combining Florence, Siena and Pisa in one rushed day.
Experiences Worth Exploring
THINGS TO DO
Visit central landmarks early and book major museum entries.
Florence Historic Center
Explore Renaissance streets, piazzas and celebrated architecture around the Arno River.
Secure a timed entry for busy travel dates.
Uffizi Galleries
See an influential collection of Renaissance paintings in Florence.
Check separate entry rules for the dome and tower.
Florence Cathedral Complex
Admire the Duomo, baptistery and bell tower in the heart of Florence.
Pair the square with Siena Cathedral and allow time for steep streets.
Siena Piazza del Campo
Visit the famous shell-shaped civic square in Siena's medieval center.
Reserve climbing slots if desired; age and access rules apply.
Leaning Tower of Pisa
See the iconic campanile and surrounding monuments in Piazza dei Miracoli.
An elegant countryside estate in the Tuscan hills with vineyard and valley scenery.
Castello di Casole, A Belmond Hotel, Tuscany
Casole d’Elsa
Hotel Tags
A luxury wine-estate retreat with villas, vineyards and rolling Val d’Orcia views.
Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco
Montalcino / Val d’Orcia
Hotel Tags
An intimate country estate with gardens, fine dining and a tranquil rural setting.
Borgo Santo Pietro
Chiusdino
Hotel Tags
A restored castle hotel surrounded by Chianti countryside between Florence and Siena.
COMO Castello Del Nero
Barberino Tavarnelle / Chianti
Hotel Tags
A historic hillside retreat above Florence with panoramic views across the city.
Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence
Fiesole
Hotel Tags
Curated Accommodations
WHERE TO STAY
November in Tuscany, Italy
High 60°F · Low 44°F · Rain 4.3 in
Late autumn favors food, museums and heritage sites with weather backups. For a destination-specific November plan, consider Siena medieval streets.
April to June and September to October offer comfortable sightseeing; July and August are often hot and crowded.
Best Times to Visit Tuscany, Italy
WHEN TO GO
06
Wine Country Transfers
Book a guided driver for tastings and confirm the precise meeting point; parking and rural roads can complicate visits.
05
Walking Historic Centers
Old towns have cobbles, slopes and stairs. Choose accommodation with luggage access suited to your mobility needs.
04
Buses and Tours
Regional buses or guided outings can connect Siena, San Gimignano and other sites. Check departure and return schedules.
03
Rental Cars for Hill Towns
A car is practical for rural wineries and villages, but historic centers may have restricted traffic zones known as ZTLs.
02
Regional Trains
Trains connect many larger towns including Florence, Pisa, Lucca and Arezzo. Small hill towns may not have a central station.
01
Regional Air and Rail Gateways
Florence and Pisa are common arrival points, while high-speed rail links Florence with major Italian cities.
Trains connect larger cities, but a rental car or guided excursion is more practical for rural wineries and smaller hill towns. Check restricted-traffic zones in historic centers.
Getting Around Tuscany, Italy