Romantic, picturesque and deeply steeped in Renaissance culture, it is no wonder Tuscany always makes it to the bucket list of travel destinations. There are so many things to see and do, so many places to visit and experiences to try that first-time visitors may be pleasantly overwhelmed. If it’s your first time to Tuscany with your girl friends, and you are not so sure of how to plan your trip, read on. In this article, we will share with you some recommendations so you know where to start. Your Tuscany holiday is going to be filled with wine, pasta and scenic views.
Where to stay in Tuscany
Having plenty of choices means that you can be confused and end up not knowing what to choose. So here is our suggestion: when you are at a loss, just make up your mind to choose Montepulciano. We have our reasons for that recommendation. First of all, the city is beautiful. You will find yourself wandering around the narrow streets that brings you back to the medieval history of the city. Montepulciano is also located on a hill, so the views out to Tuscany scenic surroundings is simply stunning. Within the town itself, there are countless Instagram-worthy corners where you can create memorable shots.
Next, Montepulciano is conveniently located near many attractions, making it a great base for your Tuscany holiday. Just a short drive from the city, you and your besties will find Pienza, Cortona, Bagno Vignoni, Bagni San Filippo and many other known treasures. Convinced? Great. Let’s move on to the main part.
What to do in Tuscany
- Explore Montepulciano
Once you have chosen Montepulciano as your base, you should spend some time exploring this charming city. You can check out Tempio di San Biagio, the famous Renaissance church, the beautiful square of Piazza Grande a Montepulciano, or go on a guided tour to explore some of the most historic wineries in Tuscany.
- Go on a vineyard tour
A visit to Tuscany will not be complete without visiting a vineyard here. Tuscany is omne of the most famous wine regions in the world. You will find plenty of vineyards here. While many have become quite commercialised to cater to tourists, We recommend Sante Marie di Vignoni, a family-run winery. We love the place for its authenticity, care and dedication to the wine and vineyard. When you visit the place, you will see that they put lots of love and effort into their wine. The owner is a friendly man, and he’s more than happy to let you try the wines as well as teach you more about Tuscany wine-making history.
- Check out the hot springs
What makes a better girls’ trip than some hotspring time with your besties? There are many hot springs in Tuscany. Amongst them, you have probably heard about Bagno Vignoni and, of course, Bagni San Filippo. Both are stunning, but if you have to choose, we are a little bit more biased towards Bagni San Filippo for its unique qualities. The hot spring is located in the forest outside of the town. The waterfalls and calcium rocks make it look like the place is covered in snow. This is often referred to as “White Whale”. The scene at Bagni San Filippo hot spring is really not something you will see in everyday life. Remember to bring along your bathing suit and sunscreen, as you will want to protect yourself against the sun there.
- Take a day-trip to Cortona
Located on top of the Tuscan hill, this ancient town is a major attraction for tourists travelling in Tuscany. The town boasts incredible views of Lago Trasimeno and the Valdichiana and plenty of things to do for your day trip. You can check out Etruscan Museum if you like exploring art and culture. Be sure to visit Palazzo Comunale, the main town square, and Piazza Signorelli, one of the filming locations of Under the Tuscan Sun movie.If you are lucky, you will be able to catch the Tuscan Sun Festival or some other events. The town is simply stunning and makes a great place to stay, so if you want, you can easily spend a few days in Cortona rather than just a day trip.
- Visit the Leaning Tower Pisa
Unless you are the type of travellers who do not like checking out the popular attractions of a destination, you will not want to skip this. Besides the Leaning Tower, the town also has other things for you to check out: the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the Baptistery and Campo Santo. These four make the Square of Miracles and are located in the center of Pisa. Be sure to book ahead, as they can get crowded pretty quickly.
Travelling around Tuscany
Although there’s public transportation, we highly recommend getting a car for your Tuscany holiday. It allows you more flexibility and convenience to reach small, charming towns around Montepulciano or simply stop at any spot on the journey to admire the stunning scenery of Tuscany.