THE 10 MOST BEAUTIFUL PEOPLES OF TUSCANY

Everyone, before or after, we have dreamed of travel to Tuscany At least once in our life. And rightly so, this is one of the most beautiful Italian regions, also known throughout the world. There really is not one but many "Tuscan", but today we focus on the most rural, which is made by stone villages on the top of hills, where time seems to have stagnated. There the food tastes better, the wine is a source of joy, the air is purer and the sun seems to shine more brightly (why don't you imagine Tuscany with rain?). So if you want to visit this small rural Eden, take note: we will tell you what are the 10 most beautiful villages in Tuscany (for us, of course).

* Clarification: in this post we only talk about most beautiful villages in Tuscany, so wonderful cities like Florence, Siena or Pisa are NOT included. But of course you have to visit them 🙂

His fame precedes him and is that almost everyone has heard of this town, famous for its towers that earned it the nickname "Medieval Manhattan." But there are more things to do in San Gimignano: try one of the richest ice cream in Italy at the Dondoli Ice Cream Shop, stroll along the cobbled (and steep) lanes or listen to guitar melodies at night in its main square, while having dinner with a little wine from the area

Curiosity: today "alone" still stand 14 of the 72 towers that once stood in San Gimignano. Did you know that it was the local nobles who built those colossi? They did it to demonstrate their economic power. Freud would have something to say about it ... ahem.

Not too far from San Gimignano is Montefioralle, a small town (very small) but full of charm, in the no less charming region of Chianti. Here all you have to do is lose yourself for your vicoli, some streets that wind between stone houses and super colorful pots. And of course come to know its medieval castle, it will be like taking a trip to the past.

Volterra may sound like you for being one of the locations in the “Twilight” saga, but this beautiful town in Tuscany remains unperturbed up there, on its hill, long before vampires became fashionable. Of Etruscan origin, Volterra offers a pleasant and very complete visit: you can make a circuit and see its great jewels, such as the Piazza dei Priori, the Cathedral with the octagonal baptistery, the Roman theater and of course you have to enjoy the views from Piazza Santi Martiri della Libertà.

Close your eyes and imagine Tuscany: kilometers and kilometers of green fields dotted with hills and stone villages. Probably also a good plate of pasta in front of your eyes and a glass of red wine in your hand. Well ... you just described Montepulciano, another of the most beautiful villages in Tuscany. Here you have to see the Plaza Grande, the Communal Palace, the Duomo, the Churches of San Francesco and that of San Agostino and visit one of their wineries (cheers!)

Curiosity: the Plaza Grande and other places in Montepulciano were also locations of the movie "New Moon".

The history of this small town in the Val d'Orcia is very curious: it was shaped from the will of Enea Silvio Piccolomini (who later became Pope Pius II) to create the "ideal city". I do not know if it is the perfect city, but it was pretty beautiful. When you are there, go around aimlessly in the center and forget about the map, you will go through amazing palaces, the Cathedral, the Central Square and the Piccolomini Palace.

advice: do not leave without having tried one of the star products of the area ... the cacio de Pienza, a very tasty goat cheese.

The main feature of Bagno Vignoni is its thermal water, with medicinal properties known even in Roman times! Unfortunately, bathing is no longer allowed (for that there are other destinations in Tuscany), but it is worth approaching this tiny and curious town. Here, the protagonist is the Piazza delle Sorgenti where there is an immense quadrangular pool, surrounded by buildings and lots of life.

Do you like hot springs? So when you travel through Tuscany you have to visit if or if the Baths of Saturnia, one of the most beautiful in the world. They are located at 1.30h from Bagno Vignoni or 40 minutes from Pitigliano.

If you look at the previous photo you will see in the background how a tower protrudes above the horizon. This is Castiglione d'Orcia and, as you have already observed, it is famous for its location, at the top of this hill. The head is the fortress, known as "La Rocca di Tentennano", built in the eleventh century and the only one in the region that has remained invulnerable to any attack.

Extra reason: here next door are other hot springs, those of Bagni San Filippo, with its strange white calcium carbonate formations. And they are free!

Another town of medieval origin capable of transporting you several centuries ago thanks to its streets and palaces. Stroll calmly through its center, look at the details, freak out with the Rocca, a fortress that dominates Montalcino and enters the Duomo and the Palace of the Priors. To end the visit in a big way, visit a winery to taste its famous wine: Brunello di Montalcino, a red wine with a resounding and voluptuous body * became the sommelier when it is one of those who drink Malibu with pineapple *

Pitigliano is a real gem. Nestled high on a huge tuff rock, it seems almost sculpted in a chaotic and exotic way. It is one of those places that you fall in love at first sight. Behind the walls of this inhabited fortification, there is an authentic labyrinth of narrow streets, which were once the battle board between powerful Florentine families, such as the Medici or the Orsini.

Curiosity: they called it "little Jerusalem" and the reason is obvious: this Tuscan people welcomed an immense Jewish community whose trail can still be enjoyed today, visiting its synagogue and its ancient ghetto.

We finished the list of the most beautiful villages in Tuscany with which, for us, it was the great discovery of our trip. And Pitigliano takes all eyes, but her neighbor Sorano has absolutely nothing to envy. We didn't know anything about this little town before going, but deciding to stay one night was a success. It is small yes, but as they say it is a bully: its historic center is a maze of streets and in its surroundings you can visit the “cave”, some Etruscan roads, carved in stone, that connected the city with the necropolis. One last.

advice: Stay at the Hotel della Fortezza, run by a super nice man and offering sublime views of Sorano. To show the photo:

Surely we are forgetting other sites that deserve to be on this list, but this region is so generous that it has given the world countless wonderful enclaves. What are the most beautiful villages in Tuscany?