We have explored Italy several times already. We’ve seen the capital city of Rome, the famous Milan, and sunny Apulia. This time, it was time for the land of wine and olive trees — Tuscany.
On this trip, we chose to travel by car. Along the way, we stopped in western Austria (more on that in a separate post) and drove through South Tyrol, known in Italy as Alto Adige. And here’s a little curiosity: the Tyroleans have their own language, which you can clearly see in the names of towns — written both in Italian and in the local tongue, often completely different from each other. Heading towards Florence, you can choose between two parallel highways: a faster one that runs mostly through tunnels, and a longer route stretching across bridges suspended over mountain passes. Visually speaking, I definitely recommend the second option.
We finally arrived at our destination. I knew I had booked an apartment in the heart of Tuscany, surrounded by vineyards, but I had no idea how enormous the estate was — 300 hectares! A bottle of dry Chianti was waiting for us in the room, and whenever the clouds cleared, we were rewarded with an almost unreal view of this part of Italy.
So, what does Tuscany offer?
First of all — greenery. This part of the Apennine Peninsula is rich in forests, vineyards, meadows, pastures, and orchards. There’s no risk of barren, sunburnt landscapes or dusty roads here.
Secondly, as is often the case in Italy, there are small towns full of atmosphere. While large cities can sometimes feel a bit characterless (though not always!), smaller towns have something special. I honestly don’t know how to describe it properly — and no photograph can fully capture the feeling. You simply have to see it and experience it for yourself.
Thirdly — food. We walk into a small local restaurant in the town where we’re staying, order pizza, pasta, and a mixed grill platter. Plus, of course, a glass of wine. And everything just works. There’s no way not to enjoy it, no reason to complain — the food is simply magical.
And finally, Pisa and Florence. As for Pisa — I know, it’s a bit of a “check-it-off-the-list” destination, but the Leaning Tower is genuinely impressive in real life. You walk through a small area of ancient ruins and suddenly this tilted structure appears. Almost like a modern Sky Tower that someone didn’t quite manage to balance properly. Florence, on the other hand, is a city that smells of history. Walking its streets, it’s hard not to think of Machiavelli and the Medici family. The cathedral, the town hall, countless churches, beautiful guild halls, and cobblestone streets — it’s impossible not to immerse yourself in the past of this place.
Tuscany has two faces. For those seeking escape, it’s something like a more refined version of the Bieszczady Mountains — just with vineyards. For those who want to taste history while washing it down with wine, it fulfills both desires at once. I don’t know if we’ll return, but I do know this: we highly recommend it.
