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TUSCANY
Tuscany is a region of Central Italy, bordering Emilia-Romagna to the north, Liguria to the north-west, Tyrrhenian Sea to the west, Umbria and Marche to the east, Lazio to the south-east. The capital is Florence.
Tuscany is famous for its wine, the most famous of which are Chianti, Morellino di Scansano, and Vino Nobile. This region is mostly covered in mountains. It also has got a long coastline along the Tyrrhenian Sea. Florence is the accurate representation of Tuscany, origin of the Renaissance, capital of the region and a city that has been visited by travelers, artists and scholars from all over the world such as Keats, Goethe, Lord Byron and many others.
Another appealing city of art with a vital cultural heritage is Siena, a city filled with a medieval atmosphere. The famous Palio race is organized here every year. The famous area of Chianti spreads out around Siena. The area is full of other attractive towns like San Gimignano, Montalcino, Radda in Chianti, Pienza.
The land of Tuscany is fertile and yields a variety of substances. The landscapes of this region are amazing, full of nature reserves, thermal spas and wonderful beaches. The hills are outlined with rows of vines. Val d'Orcia and the nearby Val d'Elsa are just as pretty. The latter is near to Siena, on a road that runs through oak and holm-oak woods.
Towards the south of Tuscany, comes the Maremma area. Maremma also has wonderful beach, lapped by the crystal clear, blue seawater. Some of the nearby islands are Capraia, Elba and il Giglio. Tuscany has got many thermal spas, used for well-being and cures. Some of the spas where the waters have beneficial properties are Saturnia, Chianciano Terme and Pitigliano.
The wines of Tuscany are famous and liked throughout the world. Siena is famous for panforte cake and ricciarelli almond biscuits. Cacio pecorino cheese made in the area to the south of Siena known as "le Crete". The Chianti area is famous for its olive oil and the prominent red wine: Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montepulciano. In Florence the ribollita soup and the famous "Fiorentina" steak, coming from the Chianina breed of cows. In Livorno, the caciucco, a tasty fish soup is likeable.