The central Italian region of Tuscany (Toscana) is bordered to the north by Liguria and Emilia-Romagna, to the east by Le Marche and Umbria and to the south by Lazio. Its western border is the Mediterranean coast.
Principle towns in Tuscany include Florence, Pisa, Siena, and Livorno. Other must-sees (there are many) include Lucca, Volterra, San Gimignano, Arezzo, Cortona, Montepulciano, Pienza and Grosseto. Tuscany is famed for its hill towns. A good coastline (the Versilian Riviera) has resorts including Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi, Marina di Grosseto and Porto San Stefano. Just off the coast lies the island of Elba and the smaller isles of Giglio, Capraia, Montecristo and Pianosa.
In the north there is the rugged mountain scenery of the Garfagnana, in the south the classical Tuscan countryside of the Chianti area - rolling green hills, vineyards, olive groves and lines of cypresses. Essential sights in Tuscany include the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Florence with its magnificent Duomo (cathedral), the Palio (horse race) in Siena, the walled medieval city of Lucca and the 'city of towers' of San Gimignano. Tuscan food is about good ingredients simply cooked - grilled steaks, white beans, stews and soups. There are superb wines including Chianti, Montepulciano, Brunello di Montalcino and a host more.
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, just to whet your appetite,
as well as links to individual towns in Tuscany (top left);
See also Tuscany hotels (full listings) and our map of Tuscany.
