If you are visiting Tuscany for the first time you will quickly realise that it is no ordinary holiday area, but a total escape into a timeless way of life.
Tuscany is largely rural and the landscape of cypresses, olive groves and vineyards are renowned throughout the world. For centuries Tuscans have preserved their surroundings, culture and traditions making this one of the most fascinating regions of Italy.
The climate in Tuscany is very mild. The most beautiful weather is experienced in May, September and October after the harsh summer has started to subside.
Tuscany is particularly stunning in spring, summer and autumn, especially because the landscape at that time of the year is very beautiful.
Usually the summers in Tuscany are without rain and very hot, especially in the valleys. July and August in Tuscany will be hot, sometimes stiflingly so, thanks to the afa and humidity levels that can make Florence and the major cities of Tuscany veritable hothouses.
November sees night-time temperatures really begin to drop with crisp autumn days to accompany the main olive harvest throughout Tuscany, which is certainly not a bad time to travel if you don’t mind a slight chill in the air.
Winter can be filled with sunny, mild days but at night it sometimes gets very cold. Winter can be cold and wet but spring always seems to come quickly.
March is azalea and camelia time, whilst April and May are sometimes very wet months. There are little differences between the regions, though.
Rule of thumb: at the coast and in the valleys the summers are hotter than in the hilly areas, where the climate is very continental rain falls are more often.
July is the hottest month right at the peak of the Northern Hemisphere summer so if you don’t cope well with a warmer climate, perhaps time your holiday during Spring or Autumn
Tuscany is a land full of things to do, see and discover: art, culture, museums and also nature, landscapes, culinary and oenological tradition, fashion, handicrafts and much, much more.
You should spend your first time exploring enchanting stone-walled towns with their Piazzas, their Duomos and their wonderful culture.
For your first time in Tuscany you should visit: Florence Siena Lucca Arezzo Pisa Cortona and San Gimignano. These amazing and historical cities of art are definitely worth seeing.
From Florence the magnificent to tiny Montepulciano, there are dozens of Tuscan towns you’ll want to visit. The Chianti area with its hilltowns Montalcino, Pienza, Castelnuovo, and Monticchiello are all quaint, wonderful places to explore.
You also might be surprised to discover that although we see many images of the Tuscan vineyards and olive groves, Tuscany also has some amazing beaches and coastal towns that are relatively untouched by tourism. There’s also some wonderful mountainous national parks and Elba’s Island for you to explore.
The best solution for your Tuscan holiday really is a villa. Hotels are certainly available in the larger cities such as Florence and Pisa but to really relax, unwind and immerse yourself in the Tuscan culture, having your own private space in a Tuscan villa is the Avanti Italy recommended way to do it.