Toscana/Tuscany
is in central Italy surrounded by the Marches, Emilia-Romagna, Liguria,
Umbria and Lazio regions and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
The main towns of the area are Florence/Firenze, Arezzo, Siena and Livorno. In
a word — gorgeous. In two words — go now. The art, the landscape, the
cypress trees, the vineyards, the colors, the olive groves, the churches, the
hill towns, the hills, the wine, the spas, the valleys, the rivers, the history,
the castles, the villas, the palazzi, the artisans, the lakes, the forests….this
is Tuscany…..you just have to see it to understand the beauty of the area.
It’s hard to put in to words….I get a melancholy feeling when I think
of the beauty of the area and the people. I’m touched when I see a picture
of or a painting depicting Tuscany….I’ve been there, I’ve seen
that….I’ll be returning for sure (and I do, over and over). The majority
of the land in Tuscany is hilly, with a few mountains and even fewer plains. There’s
a lovely surprise waiting for you at every turn — in every town.
The food is exceptional — good, solid, hearty, tasty….I’ve heard
it described as peasant cuisine, but that seems a bit harsh to me…olive oil,
tomatoes, beans, hams, game, meats, salami, peppers, corn, olives, squash, pumpkin,
prosciutto — this is fine dining to me! Let me be a peasant! Try the Pecorino
cheese….and the wine….. Chianti and Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di
Montepulciano, Brunello di Montalcino, Vernaccia di San Gimignano and Vin Santo
(of course, among others). You should try the ribollita (that would be peasant)
and the crostini Toscana while in this region….as well as everything else
— indulge — enjoy….you will return……it’s a fine
area — a favorite of everyone who visits.
