Tuscany off-the-beaten path: 4 places for your bucket list

In the last two years I discovered lots of great places in Tuscany, that make this region even more unique and special for me. Here 4 places I strongly recommend you visit during your next trip to Tuscany, one for each season!

Carrara, the marbleous city

Carrara really stole my heart. Located in Northern Tuscasny, it’s a small city full of stories, colors and traditions. It’s famous for it’s marble quarries and its masters. Local food is extremely good, shops are lovely and people genuine. Read here about Carrara.

I recommend Carrara if you want to experience life in a small city, if you love both classic and contemporary art, if you wanna be centrally located to explore Tuscany off-the-beaten path. Best period to visit could be Summer during the Carrara Marble Week, that presents a rich calendar of events.

Montisi, the Tuscany postcard

The little town of Montisi is located between Valdorcia and Crete Senesi. It’s the perfect Tuscany postcard: small medieval hamlet with narrow streets, only 400 inhabitants, slow and relaxed life surrounded by stunning landscape.

I recommend Montisi if you want to experience a bit life in small town in central Tuscany, if you want to blend with locals and get a taste of Dolcevita. The best time to visit could be Autumn during the Olive Oil Festival of Montisi.

Vallensanta, the soul of Tuscany

This valley is located in Casentino, between Florence and Arezzo. It’s the green heart of Tuscany and definitively its spiritual soul. There you can have delicious food, visit holy places like La Verna Hermitage, hike through the woods of Casentino and discover where Michelangelo was born and took inspiration for some of his masterpieces.

I recommend Vallesanta if you’re looking for the inner experience surrounded by monumental forests, if you love nature and outdoor life. The best period could be Spring when the shades of green are awesome and Nature is blooming all around.

Chianciano Terme, the thermal destination

The area of Chianciano Terme is renowned for its thermal springs. The city has a lovely medieval center with great views over the countryside, as well as an impressive Etruscan Museum and spas. In addition it’s a great start point to discover the beautiful surroundings of Valdorcia and Valtiberina.

I recommend Chianciano Terme is you’re looking for total relaxation, love spas and thermal springs, if you want to see unique Etruscan findings and be centrally located to discover more Tuscany. The best time of the year to visit Chianciano it could be Winter, so that you can get the real pleasure of taking an hot bath while everyone else is freezing outside.

Of course there are toomuchplaces in Tuscany that you should visit, more suggestions coming soon 🙂