n appreciation of Tuscany is akin to the appreciation of life itself . Its classical landscape of rolling hills and vineyards dotted with olive and cypress trees , its misty green�grey mountains that are never too far distant , and its hill�top towns of rich brown and gold stone houses combines with the beauty of the works of art contained in the towns and villages throughout the region to create an inspirational union of the spirit and the senses . There is an intrinsic comfort in the supposed contrast between the delicacy of a Botticelli and the heartiness of Ribollita soup , yet both are typical of this fascinating region . As birthplace of the Renaissance , the impact of Tuscan and in particular Florentine traditions and culture on European heritage is fundamental to our way of life . In addition to the obvious attractions of the scenery of Chianti and the art cities of Florence and Siena , there are the less well�known regions south of Siena with its moon�like landscape of hills , the patchwork vineyards of Montalcino , the coastal marshlands of the Maremma , the spas of Montecatini and Saturnia , the islands of Elba and Giglio , and the Casentino with the source of the Arno and abundant mushroom crops . Wherever you travel in Tuscany , you will be inspired by the beauty of your surroundings and the way of life , which is quintessentially that of Italy too .

Tuscan garden

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