Tuscany. Italy
Bottomless blue sky, vines weighted down with plump, succulent grapes, stunning architecture, world-famous objects of artistic and historical value – Tuscany is definitely worth seeing with your own eyes.
Tuscany is often referred to as “The Jewel of Italy”, and it does make sense. The most beautiful Italian palaces are situated in this region famous for its picturesque scenery, delicious wines and supreme quality olive oil. Everything within the sweep of the eye – from the emerald green Chianti hills to the Apuan Alps rich in Carrara marble – is a beauty beyond imagination. Florence, Pisa, Siena, Arezzo, Cortona, Lucca – each city located in Tuscany has something interesting to offer, and that is no exaggeration. Siena, for example, is famous for its scallop-shaped square, the Piazza del Campo, which hosts the popular Palio di Siena horse races. Though the races last only a couple of minutes, thousands of people all over the globe skip the World Cup in order to watch the performance. And who can blame them? The horsemen wearing Medieval costumes look quite impressive indeed.
Florence is like an open-air museum: every street and building in the area is a work of art in itself. The city is rich in objects of both historical and architectural value. The most popular among them is the Porcellino Fountain which is always surrounded by crowds of tourists - rumor has it that rubbing the bronze boar’s snout brings good luck. Most of the visitors throw shiny coins into the fountain to ensure a trip back.
It’s hard to find a person who has never heard of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Its past is no mystery – everyone knows when it was built and who the architect was. It’s the tower’s future that remains unclear. Some people predict its imminent fall, while the others believe the government will do whatever it takes to stop the impending disaster. Time will tell who is right.
No matter what Tuscany city you plan to visit, one thing you can be one hundred percent sure of: it will be an experience you will never forget.
