After Visiting Florence, Head To This Medieval Village To Experience The Tuscan Countryside

01.04.2024 - 19:07 / forbes.com / Art

Italy has long been the darling of American travelers, ranking at or near the top of the most popular European destinations for folks traveling from the States.

It makes sense, given that nearly 18 million Americans identify as having Italian heritage, with a majority living in and around the cities of the northeast, where direct flights across the Atlantic are easy to come by.

Rome has traditionally been the go-to city in Italy, but Florence has been climbing the list of late, not only for its Renaissance history and arts, but for its easy-to-access (and gorgeous) countryside.

The Tuscan countryside is home to rolling hills, vineyards, castles, and medieval villages, and it’s just an hour or two’s drive from Florence, depending on your exact destination.

While the city has much to offer in the way of arts and culture, it has grown crowded and busy. The optimal combination, in my view, is to spend a couple days in Florence to check it out, then jet off to the countryside for a more relaxed pace.

Couples and families alike will appreciate the space, as well as the myriad activities and lodging that incorporate food, wine, art, history, and relaxation.

Whenever you’re planning a trip that contains both city and countryside visits, always hit the city first. Do it the other way, and the crowds, noise, and density of the city can be a big shock when returning from the countryside.

Land in Florence, check it out for a few days, then head out to the countryside of Tuscany. Rent a car on the day you plan to leave Florence - you’ll definitely want a car to explore the countryside, but you won’t need it your first few days in the city.

Tuscany refers to an entire region in western central Italy. Overall, it is a prosperous agricultural area, famous for its wine, olives, and local food products.

Its capital city, Florence, is known as a hub of Renaissance art and culture, including the Statue of David and the Uffizi Gallery. There are about a million people living in the greater Florence metropolitan area.

Once you get outside of Florence, the region is comprised of smaller cities and villages, some dating well back to the Middle Ages. You may recognize some other infamous areas of Tuscany, such as Pisa and its leaning tower. But you will also discover many other gems that are relatively unknown to American travelers.

Tuscany as a region is very large - about 9,000 square miles in total. So, you can’t expect to visit all of it in one trip. However, by using Florence as a hub, you have the chance to make a pretty good dent and see what makes the region so special.

Florence: Capital city of Tuscany with endless arts, history, and culture surrounding the Italian Renaissance period. Great place to sample a wide