Top 5 beautiful sights to visit in Tuscany

Friday, 16 March 2012 10:55 AM

The wealth of amazing attractions is probably what first convinced you to rent a villa in Tuscany, but when there are so many fascinating sites to visit, how do you go about making your selection? Particularly when on a short break, it can be tricky narrowing down your list.

To make sure you get as much out of your trip as possible, read our guide to five of the most beautiful sights to see when staying in Tuscany villas.

Maremma

This is a huge region that stretches across much of southwest Tuscany and includes the provinces of Grosseto and Livorno.

Beaches of rock or sand edged by crystal-clear waters are what you can expect to enjoy here and you may simply want to spend a day or two hiking through the countryside or along the coastline, stopping when you come across a secluded cove so you can take a break and soak up the sun.

Saturnia

Located in Maremma is the small town of Saturnia, which is perched high on a hill above thermal hot springs. Known as the Terme di Saturnia, the water bubbles up from the natural springs forming stunning waterfalls that feed the numerous baths, where the average temperature of the water is 37.5 degrees C.

Grotta del Vento

Nestled beneath the Apuan Alps is the Grotta del Vento, or Wind Cave, a spectacular formation of underground caverns. This is widely viewed as one of the best complete cave systems in Italy.

Glistening stalactites and stalagmites have created unearthly-looking shapes in the cave walls, while in some areas the rocks glitter with crystals.

San Gimignano's towers

The Etruscan town of San Gimignano is like an ancient Manhattan, due to the numerous towers that stand here.

Originally there were 72 such structures, which were built to demonstrate the wealth and power of the families who owned them. Like many of the small medieval towns in Tuscany, it is also surrounded by a tall stone wall.

Uffizi Gallery

Some of the most beautiful sights in Tuscany can be seen inside the walls of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. This iconic museum is a world-famous tourist attraction, with hundreds of people happy to queue for hours to get a peek at what awaits inside.

Among the treasures you can view on a visit here are the Adoration of the Magi by Leonardo da Vinci and The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli.

Top places for an Easter city break

Easter is a big deal in southern Europe and one of the most important times for family get-togethers, here is less about Easter bunnies (although you’ll still find plenty of chocolate and Easter cakes) and more about the religious origins of the festival. Make sure you book travel and accommodation well in advance as Easter is a very busy time across most of Europe. Here are our top places to celebrate.