Tuscany in central Italy is a thriving region full of natural sceneries, history and culture. Here you’ll find Florence, a city of Renaissance art and architecture, the Apennine Mountains, a rugged yet beautiful landscape that will take your breath away, and the island of Elba, a place filled with serene beaches, olive groves and vineyards. If you’re looking for a romantic destination for you and a special someone, you should definitely rent a house in Tuscany to truly experience the magic of the land.
To help you plan your romantic getaway, here are some sights you can see and activities you can enjoy with your love:
Take a tour of Florence’s museums
There are a lot of guided tours in and around Florence, which isn’t a surprise since the city is home to the world’s most famous museums featuring Renaissance art and renowned artists such as Michelangelo. Here are the museums you can’t miss:
- The Uffizi Gallery in Piazzale degli Uffizi is a favorite spot for tourists because it has the world’s largest collection of Renaissance art that were collected and curated by the Medici family members themselves. (If you don’t know the Medici family, they were an Italian dynasty—an uncrowned monarch, some would say—that rose to political prominence in Florence beginning in the fifteenth century.) It houses paintings by Filippo Lippi, Sandro Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci, among others.
- To see Michelangelo’s sculpture David and other artworks, you need go to the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze (or the Gallery of the Academy of Florence) in Via Ricasoli. Aside from David, you’ll also find Michelangelo’s four unfinished Prisoners at this museum. Paintings from the thirteenth to the sixteenth centuries also hang on the walls of this museum, including works from Paolo Uccello, Andrea del Sarto, and Domenico Ghirlandaio.
- Italy has a rich history with the Catholic Church, so it isn’t at all a surprise that a museum in Florence is dedicated to “religious” works of art. The Museo dell’Opera del Duomo (or the Museum of the Works of the Cathedral) in Piazza del Duomo has curated paintings and other artworks that were created for churches in Florence. Here you’ll find Michelangelo’s The Deposition, Luca della Robbia and Donatello’s cantorias, and Lorenzo Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise.
Take clichéd pictures with the Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Torre Pendente di Pisa or the Leaning Tower of Pisa, perhaps one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, is located in Piazza del Duomo in Pisa, Italy. (Not to be confused with Piazza del Duomo in Florence where the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo is located.) It’s a 196-foot tower at the Campo dei Miracoli (or the Square of Miracles), a cathedral complex where the Duomo di Pisa is also located. Construction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa began in 1173 and was finished in 1399. The original design of the tower meant for it to stand perfectly vertical. But it began to lean during its two-century construction. Despite being the most famous tourist spot in the city, the Leaning Tower of Pisa isn’t that unique; the bell towers of the churches of St. Michele dei Scalzi and St. Nicola are also leaning. In fact, the cathedral and baptistery in Campo dei Miracoli are also sinking.
Take a relaxing break with the natural sceneries of Lucca
Lucca is a more laidback city in Tuscany where tourists enjoy beaches, mountain views and wineries. If you want a more relaxed vacation, Lucca is the destination for you. Here you can take a nature walk at Lago Massaciuccoli, a wildlife oasis that combines nature and history with its trails and old ruins. For a view of the Apennine Mountains and Apuan Alps, visit the beautiful valley of Garfagnana. Meanwhile, Versilia is a coastal area in the northwestern edge of Lucca where beach lovers and party goers like to visit. Of course, you can also take a tour of the majestic and royal villas around Lucca, as well as have a little wine-tasting at the different wineries in the city, perfect for a romantic trip.
Take a food trip in Siena
Siena is a Gothic city adorned with brick roads and quaint squares. Here you’ll find cafés and restaurants serving delicious coffee and authentic Italian food. Here are some food places that you should try:
- If you want something traditional, you should visit La Taverna di San Giuseppe in Via Giovanni Duprè. As the name suggests, the restaurant looks like a tavern with its curved ceiling and Renaissance design. You will enjoy traditional Italian dishes like spaghetti and bistecca alla florentina, which you can pair with their wide range of high quality wines. While here, you should also try their tiramisu.
- Torrefazione Fiorella offers delicious coffee and espresso, Italian sweets and pastries, and other dessert and drink items that you will love, especially in the morning. Before you head out to join a tour, why not stop at Torrefazione Fiorella for a quick coffee stop? Don’t forget to buy sandwiches for you and your special someone, too.
With these destinations, you will certainly have the most romantic trip with your love. However, Florence, Pisa, Lucca and Siena are just some of the cities that you can visit while in Tuscany. If you’re staying in this region for a while, you should also go to the other beautiful destinations in Tuscany, Italy and create memories that you will carry for the rest of your life.
