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Northern Tuscany
Northern Tuscany, defined (if only by me), as the area north of Siena and stretching into the Mugello East and North of Florence, and West toward the lovely walled city of Lucca, Tuscan Coast and Lunigiana or "land of a hundred castles," (by the way, it doesn't really have a hundred castles, but has some great undiscovered fifedoms) is also one of the most populated tourist destinations in all of Italy. Face it what do you have there - Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Lucca, Empoli, Chianti...must I go on. This translates into people, queues, and traffic jams. Don't get me wrong. A great place to visit. A great place to live! But if you seek the slow life, go in ultra-low season or head further south.
Florence What could we add to hundreds of books already written, but to say that it's smaller than you think. We have just a little more to add this pitiful bit, if you wish to read more from us about Florence. Go to our Firenze page for for just a little more entertainment, and some ideas about where and what to eat.
Chianti Classico The Chianti region, easily one of the wine world's most successful branding and promotional stories of the 20th century, is like a spineless ooze that spreads out from Impruenta to Siena. With little multiple arms that reach out and grip small villages perched on hills and vineyards that emanate from the winding strada del vino 222. Winding its way in a spaghetti like way through forests and enotecas, this is a great way to spend a day munching on panini, sipping red wines and walking the fields and stone villages that still deliver a different time. Want more on Chianti Classico? Go to our chianti page for more stuff. Forte dei Marmi e Versilia Summertime comes and tourist flock to Florence, Siena, vineyards and what? So where do all those northern Tuscans go? To the beach!! Tuscans head west to Versilia, the area of Forte dei Marmi, Viareggio, and the long stretch of sandy beaches, cabanas, bars, restaurants and shops from North of Pisa to Liguria. In high season ferragosta (the traditional month long August vacation that can empty traditional tourist towns) it is cheek to jowl with tanning butter and bodies. And as a destination for a family visiting for a week, it's not a bad place. Relatively close by is Cinque Terre to the north, Carrara, Lucca, Pisa and more. Loads of interesting places down south as well. Forte dei Marmi has a wonderful centro storico with an old piazza about as pristine as they get, and surrounded by Gucci, Versace and Uomo style places. Yep, upscale kind of shopping. Here an espresso will set you back 2 euro or more, a plate of pasta will be more fer sure. It's expensive but nice. There are loads of places to eat, buy postcards and tanning butter. One of the most wonderful things to do is rent a bike and get around that way on the many bike only paths that connect the residential to the commercial strips. Along this area, Forte dei Marmi and Viareggio the waters are murky but clean, and a perfect temperature for swimming. And the beaches clean and manicured, unlike many of its American counterparts. In the end the kids will love it. You will lay on the sand and read a book - and watch people of course. Viareggio, the most popular of the beaches is also known for its fabulous Liberte period houses along the board walk and carnival, which easily rivals Venice although more obscure. If you are in Tuscany January 22 - February 7, each Sunday Viarreggio is the place to be for the crazy floats that parade down the bboard walk and other places. Any other time it is Hangar Carnevale located on via San Marco Polo to see the floats in storage, much like the Mardi Gras warehouses in New Orleans, which we also suggest. Lucca Traveling to Lucca as part of Northern Tuscany's "must see" places is a relatively new occurrence. Even today Lucca, located in the northwestern corner of Tuscany, is not at the top of the typical tourist's list of places to visit while in Tuscany. Although just one hour from Firenze, and connected to many places by train, it is not a short trip from Siena and the popular places of central and southern Tuscany, even if close to many other wonderful places. We have a whole page full of stuff on Lucca at this page, and see our sister site LuccaDirect.com
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