In this section: San Gimignano | Chianti | Volterra | Montepulciano | Regional Food & Drink

Tuscany is one of the best loved destinations in Italy and few can resist the combination of magnificent, historic cities, beautiful walled towns and the rolling landscape.  Immaculate vineyards are complemented by tall, dark cypress trees.  Rambling farmhouses and ancient hilltop towns combine with distant views of medieval cities.

The area has been occupied since the earliest recorded times. The Etruscans were the first major civilization, peaking in the 6th and 7th centuries BC, before being eclipsed by the Romans.  Many fine examples of Etruscan art can be seen in various museums throughout Tuscany.  The Romans took control of Tuscany by about the 3rd century BC, and established the major cities of Lucca and Pisa in the north, Florence and Siena in the centre of Tuscany and Montepulciano to the south

Tuscany is considered to be the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance – the flowering of culture dating from the late middle ages.  This produced a vast artistic heritage of architecture, painting and sculpture collected in dozens of museums.  It is, of course, the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Dante

Tuscany is justly famous for its food and wine.  Almost all its fruit and vegetables are grown locally, the sea is close by, and of course there are the excellent oils and superb wines.  The food is generally rustic, simple – designed to nourish the soul and spirit as much as the body – and it is never elaborate or excessive

There are so many wonderful places to visit in Tuscany that we cannot hope to do anything other than pick a tiny selection of the places we ourselves know a little.

 

One of the most visited towns in Tuscany, San Gimignano is unforgettable.  Its famous towers can be seen for up to 40kms away across the rolling hills.  These towers give the impression that the town is made up of medieval skyscrapers – in all there is a cluster of 15 tall fortress towers many dating back to the 14th Century.  At one time there were as many as 76 towers, built as private dwellings and as symbols of their owner’s wealth.  The tallest – Torre Grossa – can be climbed for a spectacular panoramic view out over Tuscany.

It is an attractive and atmospheric walled town – lots of tourist gift shops, including a quite amazing chocolate seller.  Wild boar is a speciality and several of the small delis have huge stuffed boars in their entrances. 

And, rather oddly, the central piazza contains the somewhat infamous torture museum!  Exactly what it says, this is an extensive collection of medieval torture equipment and a visit is definitely not for the faint hearted.  We had certainly not realised the significant role that goats played in medieval torture before visiting this museum!

 

This is the large oval region located between Florence and Siena.  Grapes have grown in this area since before it was inhabited by man.  Chianti is, of course, Italy’s most famous red wine.  It is one of the oldest wines in the world, though it is rarely seen now in the wicker covered bottles that were common up to the 1970s as these are considered too impractical, expensive to produce and perhaps a little too rustic.  It is, of course, the perfect accompaniment to the local Tuscan food.

Historically, this area was the main war zone between the armies of Florence and Siena, which is why it contains so many fortified towns and villages among the miles of vines.  There are, literally, hundreds of vineyards, many of which allow visits and offer tastings.

Our Well Being Break in Barberino Val D’Elsa is in the heart of the Chianti Classico wine-producing area.

 

Volterra presents a contrast to most Tuscan hill towns in that it is built on a plateau of volcanic rock rather than on the rolling green hills of the others.  It is gradually eroding and is now considerably smaller than it was in the past.  It was once one of the largest Etruscan settlements and has one of the most important Etruscan museums.  Walking around the walls of the medieval core is an excellent way to see the town, the ancient remains and the countryside around.  One highlight is the Arch Gate dating from the 4th century BC. 

And it is a lot quieter than San Gimignano!

 

Montepulciano is among the highest of the Tuscan hill towns and is visible for miles around – a pyramid of red brick buildings cluttering up the sides of the hill on which it is built.  It is a stunningly good looking town, full of odd squares and corners, stunning views, dozens of renaissance palazzo and churches and it is the source of one of Italy’s best wines - its Vin Nobile - which is excellent with one of the main local dishes, bruschetta drenched in olive oil.  There are numerous 15th and 16th century wine cellars throughout the town, many of which offer tastings. 

It is also famous for being one of the main locations used in the film “The English Patient”

 

Tuscan food is among the most celebrated in the world.  It has just about everything to offer the visitor and its basic honesty and simplicity have made it popular for centuries the world over.

Tuscany has its own versions of Italian staples such as pasta dishes with rich sauces – especially game and mushrooms – thick soups, such as ribollita, and hearty bean stews.   Much of its cuisine is meant to be eaten out of doors.  As with much of Italy, it has its own speciality local hams, salamis and cheeses.

Well Being Breaks aims to eat Italian style.  Breakfast is usually light as is lunch.  But dinner is another matter – we aim for a truly gastronomic event to be shared and savoured at leisure.  This will typically involve some combination of antipasto, a first course (pasta, risotto or soup), a second course (meat or fish with vegetables accompaniment) with salad.  And finally, either cheese or desert.  Italy is the sourced of the “slow food” movement, a philosophy of food that we totally share.

To drink, there is, of course, Chianti, the quintessential Italian red wine, though there are plenty of other local wines that we do offer on our breaks