There's something magical about Tuscany. I have never met anyone who's been to this stunning part of Italy who hasn't reported on their rapture over the views, the wines, the food.....and everyone talks of their dreams of returning as soon as possible. Here are a few tips for you to maximize your own enjoyment of a trip to this amazing part of the world.
1. Drive
Make sure that you hire a car from the airport, if you haven't already made the drive from another part of Italy. A small car hire for a week should cost about €200. There is so much to see in this beautiful region and pretty much everything you lay your eyes on conforms to the typical visions you will have in your mind of this bucolic idyll. So while it would be easy to get complacent about the undoubtedly beautiful view from any window of your own accommodation, you should make every effort to get around to capture the various stunning vistas the area has to offer. The winding roads of Tuscany are often used to film international car adverts too, so you'll enjoy the driving itself along the smooth twists and turns of the country lanes.
2. Stock up on memory cards/rolls of film
Even if you are not a keen photographer, you will become snap happy once you see what's in store for you in Tuscany. The light in any season changes subtly throughout the day so the same scene can offer multiple aspects depending on the time of day and the type of light that is thrown over it. I have about 20 photographs of the same massive bale of rolled hay (a quintessential Tuscan image) which when viewed together provide an insight into the movement of light from misty morning, through to the stark white light of midday to the rich, warm hues of late afternoon/dusk. Rolling hills, tumble-down stone walls, hill top villas with cypress lined driveways all draw the eye. The rural people in the fields, wild road- side flowers, chance sightings of wild animals and quaint sights such as the three wheeled farm vehicles all deserve a photo or two.
3. Eat, drink and be merry
The variety of Tuscan cuisine and the wealth of cafés, trattoria, osteria and ristorante is such that you could find a new place for each meal and a new favourite dish every day of your trip. Travelling around the region will broaden your chances of experiencing the richness of what is available to you. There is so much choice as far as wines are concerned, but if the selection seems too intimidating be assured that even the vino rosso della casa (house red) anywhere will be a lovely drop. Food options are almost inexhaustible too. Rustic wood-fired pizzas, wild rocket salads with exquisite balsamic oils, generous shavings of the most tasty truffles over home-made pasta with hare, so much bread, so many dishes enriched with pomodoro (tomatoes); such are my Tuscan food fantasies when I'm between visits. But sweet and filling wild boar ragout is a stand out food memory for me- especially considering that we had been forced to veer around a lazy boar ambling across the road earlier in the evening! A generous meal for two in a family-run establishment need not cost more than €40.
4. Leave no town unvisited
While there is a distinctly Tuscan style to the architecture of the entire region each town has its own particular charms. Besides the obvious heavy-hitters- Siena, Florence and Pisa- there are so many more towns to explore. San Gimignano, for instance, is the New York of the region with its 14 Medieval towers creating an impressively lit skyline by night. Serving as the set for a number of films, such as Life is Beautiful, by Roberto Benigni, Cortona is another hill town that is well worth a visit. Montepulciano with its gorgeous Piazza Grande, Renaissance architecture and fine wines is another. The list truly does go on and on.
5. Hit the shops
If you are a seasoned traveller it's easy to believe that you have enough souvenirs or that you have seen it all, but Tuscany is home to many skilled artisans and their wares are beautiful, unique and often surprisingly affordable. Local cured meats, cheeses, oils, and wine, of course, are all the finest examples of their kind and make much-appreciated gifts. Luxurious linens, original ceramics and finely worked leather goods can be found amidst photography, prints, paintings, sculptures and other artistic representations of the area. My latest purchase is a beautiful leather weekend carry bag from a street vendor in San Gimignano which cost a mere €100. The likes of which could not be found in London for under £200.
A visit to Tuscany would never fail to please but following these tips will help you find, create, eat, drink and purchase more memories from Italy's worst kept secret.
Six hundred GB Pounds buy you the following amount of Euros
Established in 2008, Travelfx are solely an internet business providing an alternative to a Bureau de Change with some of the best exchange rates online. The company has been ranked 34th in the 2012 Sunday Times Fast track 100.
Established in 1973 ICE Plc is one of the largest and most respected retail foreign exchange operators in the world with a combined annual group turnover in excess of US.8 billion and with over 300 branches in addition to providing an online service.
Established in 2008 with one mission, to bring the retail foreign exchange business online identifying an opportunity to redefine how people purchase travel money. The team of three partners has over 30 years experience in the retail foreign exchange market.
Established in 1979. Moneycorp also have retail bureaux de change at Gatwick, Stansted, Southend and Southampton airports, and across Central London. They provide next day delivery and can deliver on Saturdays for an additional fee
The post office is one of the most recognised brands for holiday money in the UK. They allow you to order your travel money online and collect it from any Post office branch or have it delivered to your address for free.
Established in 1981, Covent Garden FX is a family-owned and operated Bureau De Change located in the heart of Central London, providing some of the best exchange rates online for branch collection or home delivery.
Established in 1976 the business has grown to become one of the most recognised travel money brands in the UK with over 1,100 branches worldwide. They also provide wholesale services to many banks and supermarkets.
Established in 2007 with three bureau de change branches in London as well as running a postal delivery service in the UK with a focus on reputation, trust, reliability and quality of service.
Established in 2002, FairFX cut out the middle man and use state of the art technology to execute your orders and deliver holiday money to your door while eliminating the cost of running expensive foreign exchange kiosks.
Established in 2011 by Ben Wakeham, a young travel mad entrepreneur who wanted to simplify the purchase of holiday money and use the internet to allow consumers to gain better exchange rates than long established travel money providers.
As a well known British high street retailer, M&S stock one of the widest ranges of currency on the high street (up to 42 currencies) available online, by phone or in store operating as one of the most competitive providers for those needing to purchase last minute from one of their 120 stores nationwide.
Established in 1968 and acquired by RBS in 2000, foreign exchange forms part of the general financial services offered by the bank. You can purchase notes or travellers cheques for collection from your local branch or home delivery.
