General information Landscape of shades of greyish greens and yellow�browns dotted with cypress trees and umbrella pines , chestnut trees and olive groves . On the coast there are long sandy beaches flanked by umbrella pines , islands such as Elba and Giglio off�shore and the rocky cliffs of the Argentario .
Famous wines of Chianti Classico , Brunello di Montalcino , Vino Nobile di Montepulciano . Alabaster is produced in Volterra . Gold and silver are worked in Florence and the Ponte Vecchio is lined with jewellery shops . Ceramics and hand�painted majolica from raw terracotta from Impruneta to the glazed pottery of Siena are to be found throughout Tuscany . Lucca has traditionally produced silk and hand�woven fabrics . Marbled paper and stationery is a speciality of Florence . Leather goods including shoes , handbags and belts are to be found from market stalls to designer shops such as Gucci and Ferragamo .
Interesting markets include the Mercato dell ’ Antiquariato which sells furniture from antiques to bric�a�brac in Arezzo on the first weekend of every month , in Pisa on the second weekend and in Lucca on the third weekend . The ‘ wild ’ Maremma is known for its long�horned white cattle and cowboys ( butteri ) and natural springs including Saturnia .
Cultural highlights As birthplace of the Renaissance , Tuscany contains a wealth of treasures : Giotto ’ s Campanile and Brunelleschi ’ s Dome in Florence , the Tombs of Galileo and Michelangelo in
Florence ’ s Santa Croce , Botticelli ’ s ‘ Birth of Venus ’ and ‘ Primavera ’ and the portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Urbino by Piero della Francesca in the Uffizi , Michelangelo ’ s ‘ David ’ in the Accademia , the architecture of the Piazza della Signoria in Florence , ‘ The Tuscan Maremma ’ painting by Giovanni Fattori in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence , the Piazza del Campo in Siena , ‘ The Legend of the Cross ’ frescoes by Piero della Francesco in Arezzo , ‘ The Creation ’ fresco by Bartolo di Fredi in the Collegiata in San Gimignano , Romanesque church of the Collegiata in San Quirico d ’ Orcia , 14th Century Fortezza of Montalcino , Renaissance masterpiece of the church of Madonna di San Biagio at Montepulciano , the abbey�church of Sant ’ Antimo , mediaeval Lucignano and the towers of San Gimignano , the Etruscan Museum in Cortona .
Gastronomic highlights Simple country food is at the heart of Tuscan cooking . Regional dishes include Bruschetta ( bread or ciabatta toasted and rubbed with garlic , olive oil and salt ), Ribollita ( bean , cabbage and bread soup ), Pasta with hare or wild boar sauce , Porcini mushroom and truffle dishes , Bistecca all Fiorentina ( thick cut of sirloin and fillet beef ), Cantucci ( almond and honey biscuits ) served dipped in Vin Santo , Panforte ( chocolate , nut and spice cake ). Pecorino cheese made from sheep ’ s milk . Local wines include the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano and the Bianco di Pitigliano . Famous reds include Chanti Classico , Brunello di Montalcino and the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano . Vin Santo made from semi�crushed grapes left for several months is an excellent dessert wine .
Festivals Many of Tuscany ’ s festivals resound with the flamboyance of the Renaissance and keep Tuscans and visitors alike in touch with the region ’ s rich history . Others are linked to Tuscany ’ s hearty traditions of eating and drinking . The most famous is Siena ’ s Palio which takes place on 2 July and 16 August each year . Others include the Sagra del Tordo ( Festival of the Thrush ) in Montalcino on the last Sunday in October when there is an archery contest and charcoal�grilled thrush are a delicacy . In Florence Calcio in Costume ( a football match played in mediaeval costume ) takes place in June . Pisa has the Giocco del Ponte ( Game of the Bridge ), a mock battle in Renaissance dress also held in June . Viareggio celebrates Carnival on Shrove Tuesday with a huge display of flamboyant floats . In May and August Massa Marittima holds the Falcon Contest .
Our two centre recommendations Any region in Italy can be combined with Tuscany . However , a few popular suggestions : Tuscany and Umbria . Tuscany and the Italian Lakes . Venice , Florence and then the Tuscan countryside or coast .
Tuscany is the essence of Italy with its inspiring appeal to the spirit and the senses
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