Tuscany Holidays

This iconic region hosts the great cultural cities of Pisa, Siena and Florence, where you'll find the statue of David and Botticelli's Venus. In Pisa you'll see that famous Tower in the Square of Miracles, one of Tuscany's seven UNESCO world heritage sites. Tuscan cities are famous for their walls and their tower houses, like those at San Gimignano. If you want to emulate James Bond, visit Siena in July or August for the Palio horse race in the vast town square.

Tuscany produces some of the world's best olive oil, and you'll sample it in delicious regional dishes with fresh tomatoes, pasta and potatoes. Famous wines like Chianti are also Tuscan, and another world heritage site at Val D'Orcia offers you both scenery and wine-tasting tours. The countryside is hilly and attractive for walking or biking. You'll also find many thermal springs, these days often located within a spa centre.

You'll find two well-known beaches in Tuscany, at Forte dei Marmi and Viareggio. The first is the haunt of celebrities, with designer boutiques and stylish beach clubs, and there's also a long sandy beach and a pier with views of the mountains. Viareggio is a more traditional resort, with 10 kilometres of sand on private and public beaches. This is a lively seaside town where you can check out the fresh fish restaurants, do some wine-tasting and check out the Carnival before Lent (usually February/March).