History and culture
Between the 14th and 16th centuries, the grand era of Humanism and the Renaissance originated and developed in Tuscany, having a profound new influence on the culture and the art of the time and leaving inerasable tracks in the whole of Europe. The region has evidence of this, beginning with the principal city of Florence. Large civilian and religious buildings and sculptures and paintings of extraordinary value emerged from the creative work of great geniuses such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo or Brunelleschi.
The land and its people
The principal city of Tuscany is Florence which is in the north of the region. Other important cities are Pisa, Siena, Grosseto and Lucca. Tuscany is famous for its hilly countryside, which is distinctive because of its numerous pine trees, Mediterranean cypress trees, olive trees and vines. The Tuscan Archipelago surrounds Elba, which is Italy’s third largest island, and among others the smaller islands of Giglio, Capraia, Pianosa, Monte Cristo, Giannutri and Gorgona. The local people of Tuscany earn their living from the tourist industry. You will receive a warm and friendly welcome wherever you may go in the entire region.
Food and drink
The cuisine of Tuscany is simple and a large part of it is good farmhouse cooking which relies on the original taste of the fresh ingredients that are used according to the time of year. The basis is nearly always the olive oil, which is said to be very good in this region, and together with various herbs, lends the dishes their aroma. Meat plays a relatively big role, whereby very many different types are cooked in many different ways, from beef, pork and lamb, to venison, game and rabbit and to all kinds of poultry.
