Tuscany is written, poetry is read. A land of sun, vineyards and villages, which whispers its ancient history in your ear and conquers the five senses with elegance. Those who have already been there love it, those who visit it for the first time have the sensation of knowing it since ever: among the paths that wind through the vegetation, as well as in the small medieval towns and at the table, among wines and flavours, the Tuscany is one of the most popular tourist destinations not only by foreigners, but also by Italians. In the Bel Paese, as much as abroad, this region is synonymous with lightheartedness and authenticity, a territory that combines the beauty of discovery with the pleasure of a relaxing stay, to be spent immersed in timeless landscapes, all year round. But now that the warm season has arrived, how many faces do summer holidays in Tuscany have and what do they represent for the many visitors who arrive every year? Let's find out together in this article.
Summer holidays in Tuscany: a taste of the "Italian lifestyle"
Whether they choose it for a regenerating break by the sea, or instead prefer the refined atmospheres of the countryside, for international tourists a stop in Tuscany represents a distillation of Italian spirit, a taste of the Italian lifestyle so loved all over the world. The entire region with its fascinating localities is not only a place to visit, but represents the beating heart of a new concept of experiential tourism that brings the beauty of the area into dialogue with the discovery of its main productive activities through the numerous historical itineraries, artistic and cultural available. In this sense, Tuscany, seen through the eyes of foreigners, but not only, is the homeland of bon vivre, a crossroads of tourist routes to be enjoyed in a slow and zero-impact mode, a land loved by walkers and bike lovers. The common thread that usually connects the various experiences in Tuscany is wine: it is here that some of the most iconic Italian wines are born, such as Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti or Nobile di Montepulciano, and it is always here that the national wine tourism finds one of its greatest successes thanks to solutions designed to combine nature, tastings and visits to the cellar. The result is a real full immersion that enhances travel, leisure and knowledge. From the charm of the cities of art, to the intimate atmosphere of the small villages, passing through the wild nature that marks the journey, Tuscany is a succession of special stages that international tourism has always celebrated.
Thematic tourism in Tuscany: when the journey starts from the wedding
If tourism dedicated to wine and proximity are two pillars for the Tuscan territory, a trend that is increasingly consolidating is that of choosing this splendid land as a set to crown one's dream of love. On this front, the data speak for themselves: according to the report of the Destination Weddings in Italy Observatory, prepared by the "Centro Studi Turistici" with funding from the Ministry of Tourism, Tuscany is the most popular region for the most beautiful day of marriage, with 21% of preferences out of the total of 619,000 arrivals calculated by the Observatory in 2022. A deeply rooted trend even among Italians, who in Tuscany are looking for stylish homes, old farmhouses and farmhouses capable of adding a special touch to their wedding.
This land, therefore, confirms itself as a destination capable of responding to different needs: the possible itineraries are really many and varied: here is a proposal to discover its unique atmospheres by following a suggestive chromatic line and guide you in choosing the perfect destination for your holidays summer in Tuscany
The warm nuances of Siena and the blue of the thermal waters of Montepulciano
For those who love to let themselves be enveloped by the warm nuances of the earth, Siena is a magical place: all gathered around its ancient historical centre, this town immersed in the Val D'Orcia has its beating heart in the famous Piazza del Campo, which every year in July and August hosts the ancient Palio. The ocher and reddish nuances of the square represent the dominant color of the city: a small large treasure chest that contains iconic points of interest such as the Fonte Gaia, the Palazzo Comunale, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Piccolomini bookshop.
Continuing the itinerary in Val D'Orcia, a stop in Montepulciano, the home of the prized Vino Nobile, is a must. Here it is possible to enjoy a walk in Piazza Grande between the Town Hall, the Cathedral and the Tower of Pulcinella, and then enjoy a moment of relaxation in the sulphurous and salso-bromo-iodine waters of the spa of Chianciano Terme. All before tasting a good glass of Nobile at "Fattoria del Cerro", the winery, immersed in the Prugnolo gentile vineyards, which also offers the opportunity to enjoy the relaxed mood of a picnic in the vineyard and, why not, extend your stay by booking one of the 11 elegant rooms with a view at the Relais Villa Grazianella", which can now also be explored through a virtual tour.
Between the black of lignite and the white of chalcedony: the mining soul of Tuscany
For lovers of walks in nature, choosing Tuscany for their summer holidays allows them to experience new and particularly suggestive itineraries, such as those marked by the mines of the area. An example of this is the Monterufoli Natural Park, an area immersed in the luxuriant nature of the Val di Cecina, which extends over 4,000 hectares in the province of Pisa. This splendid green lung is crossed by a visit itinerary that follows the ancient lignite extraction route: along the Ritasso torrent it is possible to see the imposing brown mining outcrops, while advancing through the woods of the natural park it is possible to easily reach the excavations of quartz and chalcedony. A path that is dominated by the meeting of the black and white of the minerals with the green of the rich biodiversity that characterizes the local flora. The ideal stop at the end of a journey on the trail of the extractive history of the Tuscan land is the "Tenuta di Monterufoli", which stands right in the heart of the natural park. The structure, historically linked to Count Ugolino della Gherardesca, whom Dante mentions in his Comedy, is the perfect place for a weekend in nature, to be spent in one of the three prestigious Tuscan-style accommodation areas: the Mine, the Stables and the Casa delle Guardie, all freshly restyled, offer guests solutions for every need, including rooms, suites and apartments with independent entrances.
Welcomed by a beautiful green lawn, visitors also have the opportunity to visit the estate's cellar and get in touch with the authentic flavors of the area by tasting some of the wines that best interpret the local productive spirit: the "Pian di Seta Vermentino di Toscana IGT" and the “Poggio Miniera Val di Cornia red DOCG".
Montalcino: the intense red of Brunello
There is no fan of medieval villages who has not found the perfect synthesis between history, landscape and food and wine culture in Montalcino. This splendid town, declared a Unesco World Heritage Site, is perfect for a peaceful walk through the alleys that lead from the historic center to the fourteenth-century fortress and the central Piazza del Popolo, where it is possible to admire the tower of the Palazzo dei Priori, the seat of the Municipality. The village is traditionally linked to the intense red of the wine, which in autumn blends with the soft golden yellow foliage of the vineyards. Montalcino is also the ideal starting point for a full immersion in the oenological universe of the area: to do so, just plan a stop at "La Poderina". The ancient estate in Castelnuovo dell'Abate is an important production center of Brunello DOCG, here also available in the "Riserva" version together with the "Rosso di Montalcino DOC" and the "Moscadello di Montalcino DOC". Even "La Poderina", which stands in front of the suggestive Sant'Antimo Abbey, boasts its own hospitality proposal and offers guests two elegant apartments, the ideal solution for a relaxing stay in Val D'Orcia .
Perfect for a holiday in nature, as well as for a road trip to discover its natural parks or, again, to celebrate the "Yes" day: Tuscany, with its thousand faces, dresses each time in a different color and gives Italian and foreign tourists a unique experience, to be enjoyed with all five senses. Haven't you already felt like leaving?
