Lonely Planet, that bible for international travellers, has recently included Tuscany in its list of Top Destinations to visit in 2024. And with good reason. With its extraordinary range of art and culture, plus a notable number of Unesco sites, Tuscany attracts visitors that want to experience a mix of cultural and natural exploration, while enjoying a taste of the good life.
On top of that, Tuscany sets an example to the world on how to interact with the land. The countryside is nothing short of idyllic, with views that are a balm to the soul. Here many farms produce the finest food and wine products, respecting the highest standards of production and centuries-old tradition.
Tuscany is a rare jewel. A place that blends culture , artistic discovery, adventure, and a real foodie paradise.
What to learn from your Tuscan trip this year? To slow down, respect the land, eat fresh seasonal food. And to be in touch with our past to better plan our future.
Why Tuscany is among the Top Destinations in 2024 | Art, Culture and Love for the Land
EXPLORING ITS UNESCO SITES
The iconic landscapes of Val d’Orcia, made famous by countless photos and postcards, are protected by Unesco. This means total respect for the land and the ancient traditions that are embedded in the territory. These historic landscapes make Tuscany unique, and the way to enjoy them is respecting their uniqueness, taking time to appreciate every small detail.
The Unesco sites in Tuscany also include Florence’s historic centre, the magnificent Pisa’s square of Miracles and the perfectly preserved Medieval towns of Siena and San Gimignano that look like they are frozen in time.
GOING BACK TO NATURE
In Tuscany, nature is as varied as it is beautiful. Countryside, mountains, lakes and a 600 km long coastline. Going back to nature is possible in one of the many nature reserves, like the Uccellina Park in the Maremma, with hectares of Mediterranean scrub and unspoilt beaches. Then there’s the Foreste Casentinesi National Park on the slopes of the Appennines with ancient forests that are at their best during fall foliage season. Or the Apuan Alps regional park, the smaller Orecchiella Park in the Garfagnana region, an example of sustainable tourism and environmental education. And of course, on the islands of the Tuscan archipelago National Park.
Which is your favourite Tuscan landscape? Explore the beautiful landscapes of Tuscany
With a number of smaller nature reserves, WWF oasis and protected areas that dot the region, Tuscany is an example of conserving what’s both precious and beautiful.
DISCOVERING THE ETRUSCAN HERITAGE
While archeology has been a vital part of this region since the time of the Medici family, in recent years Tuscany has been put on the map thanks to the discovery of a collection of ancient bronze statues from the Etruscan-Roman transition period. It happened at the end of 2022, in the small spa town of San Casciano dei Bagni, near Siena. => Soon a museum will be open in San Casciano dei Bagni to host this extraordinary new find.
In the meantime, this year is the perfect occasion to familiarise yourself with the Etruscans, the people that inhabited Tuscany since IX century BC, exploring the region’s many Etruscan sites. From the necropolis of Populonia, Sovana, and the museums that host incredible testimonies, starting with Museo Guarnacci in Volterra, Cortona, Chianciano Terme, Sarteano, Vetulonia, and of course the Archeological Museum in Florence. It’s an occasion to explore an intriguing part of history and get off the beaten track.
For history buffs, there’s no doubt that Tuscany is among the Top Destination in 2024!
TRY LOCAL FOOD & LEARN ABOUT IT
If 2024 is the year of conscious eating, then Tuscany might be just the ideal destination.
We’ve already pointed out how food and wine are entwined with daily life here in Tuscany, as in the rest of Italy. How can you take part? Visiting local food markets, touring one of the cellars and wine estates to learn about the secrets (the details about grapes and wine production here border on obsession!) of wine production. And of course, dining on dishes that come directly from the orto, and cooked with traditional methods, is going to be a big part of your trip.
Italy is famous for its great passion and respect for food, and for turning every meal into a special occasion. If it’s true that times are changing, and people don’t have time to sit down at meals for hours every day, it’s also true that even the freshly made sandwich in a small delicatessen can be a tasteful surprise, thanks to the genuine taste of the ingredients and the love people put into preparing food.
Great experiences await foodies in Florence, while wine connoisseurs might like the idea of exploring the top wine towns around Tuscany, including the famous Chianti region, Montalcino and Montepulciano. And a cooking lesson with a local chef might be just the ideal way to bring home a few of the Italian secrets.
Check out What’s New in Florence in 2024!
