When In Tuscany...

The famed hills and valleys of Tuscany call to many for a variety of different reasons. Some enjoy the easy, laid-back pace of life in the sleepy villas while others enjoy partaking in some of the finest wine and food available in all of Europe. Whatever your reason for visiting this part of west-central Italy, you will end up falling in love with all it has to offer. As we traverse across this beautiful strip of the Mediterranean, we will outline our favorite things to do while in the Italian state of Tuscany.

Tuscany has a storied past when it comes to the finer aspects of art, with most of this influence coming out of its capital of Florence. The artistic aspect of the Renaissance was in great effect born out of Florence's high proportion of artists and sculptors and still impacts the city to this day. One of the most magnificent pieces of art that can be viewed in Tuscany is Michelangelo's David, a sculpture known the world over and native to this area. Other artistic wonders in the area include the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Florentine School and la Basilica di San Miniato al Monte, which is one of the best preserved examples of Tuscan Romanesque architecture left in the world.

Sometimes lost in the bragging about the other more notable aspects of Tuscany such as fine wine and art, the hot springs and thermal bathing areas in Tuscany is yet another reason to visit the area and one of the must-do activities while visiting. Saturnia is a town with the best springs and is located in Maremma, which stands on top of a hill overlooking the springs. Known and frequently visited for at least 2,200 years, these springs have a constant temperature of 38 degrees Celsius and are renowned for their therapeutic properties. These springs are open to the public year-round and are free to all who wish to bathe in them.

Known throughout the world for its refined palette, Tuscany offers visitors the chance to experience genuine, fresh Italian food in an environment like no other. With various restaurants, cafes and diners scattered all over the countryside and plenty of cooking schools for those who wish to try their hand in the kitchen, your culinary experience here will never be matched anywhere else in the world. Not only will your sense of food be heightened, but the chance to wash it down with some of the world's finest wines will augment this reality. For those who love sampling the best in food and drink, Tuscany makes a great venue.

While not the fashion capital of the world, Tuscany offers much to the fashion world in the form of textiles like wool and silk. With close proximity to fashion capitals like Rome and Milan, the effect of their culture is felt here and the reverse is likewise. Tuscans have first-hand input into how the fabrics of Italy – which are largely made here – look and therefore how the final products of many fashionistas will look. Finding the very latest in fashion without the price gouging that happens in other cities is a definite advantage to visiting Tuscany.