{"id":24788,"date":"2022-08-16T16:06:23","date_gmt":"2022-08-16T16:06:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/?p=24788"},"modified":"2022-08-16T15:16:47","modified_gmt":"2022-08-16T15:16:47","slug":"towns-in-tuscany","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/towns-in-tuscany\/","title":{"rendered":"Off the Beaten Path: 3 Towns in Tuscany for the Curious Traveler"},"content":{"rendered":"

The region of Tuscany is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. It\u2019s not hard to see why! With the sea to the west, the rolling foothills of the Apennines to the east, and lakes and rivers and picturesque countryside in-between, Tuscany is a Mediterranean utopia. Along with its natural beauty, there are hundreds of lovely, historic, quaint cities and towns in Tuscany to enjoy.<\/span><\/p>\n

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With so many charming towns in Tuscany, how do you choose? Read on to discover our top 3 choices. Photo credit: Stan Swinnen<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00a0Florence, Siena, and Pisa are the heavy hitters for tourist attractions, but what about the smaller, lesser-known towns along the way? <\/span>For the curious traveler interested in finding those hidden gems in Tuscany, we got you covered. Get ready to plan your <\/span>day trip from Florence<\/span><\/a> to one of these three towns in Tuscany that are off the beaten path.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Arezzo<\/span><\/h2>\n

After wiping away your tears when watching the Oscar-winning film <\/span>La Vita \u00e8 Bella<\/span><\/i> (Life is Beautiful) by Roberto Benigni, hop on a train to <\/span>Arezzo<\/span><\/a> to visit the town where much of the movie was filmed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Arezzo is a stunning town in Tuscany. Etruscan peoples called this hilly town home thousands of years ago, and when walking through the streets you\u2019ll definitely feel that rustic vibe. Ever heard of the Etruscans? Visit the <\/span>National Archaeological Museum Gaio Cilnio<\/span><\/a> Mecenate in Arezzo to learn all about these pre-Roman settlers.<\/span><\/p>\n

For the art history lover, definitely plan a visit to the <\/span>Basilica of San Francesco<\/span><\/a> to see the immaculately restored early Renaissance frescoes, <\/span>The Legend of the True Cross<\/span><\/i>, painted by Piero della Francesca from 1452-1466. Then wander up the hill to the <\/span>Prato park<\/span><\/a> behind Arezzo\u2019s Duomo for a stunning view of the Tuscan hills and a monument dedicated to the poet Petrarch, who was born in the province of Arezzo. Keep climbing the hill to visit the <\/span>Medici Fortress.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

On your way back down the hill, stop through <\/span>Piazza Grande<\/span><\/a> for a cocktail or a bite to eat. We love Vasari Caf\u00e9 <\/span>(Piazza Grande, 15)<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>Essenza \u201cDario e Anna\u201d<\/span><\/a>, or L. Indigeno <\/span>(Piazza Grande, 5)<\/span><\/i>. A local family runs these locations, where they serve elevated Tuscan cuisine and have excellent wine lists.<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll find all your typical Tuscan fare in Arezzo, but in this Tuscan town, they make particularly good pici\u2013a thicker, hand-rolled version of spaghetti. If you\u2019re in Arezzo early in the day, grab a pastry and a coffee at Bar Stefano <\/span>(Corso Italia, 61)<\/span><\/i>, one of the few cafes that still make all their pastries in-house.<\/span><\/p>\n

Expert\u2019s Tip:<\/b> Tuscany is home to many harvest festivals and <\/span>fall activities<\/span><\/a>. Arezzo hosts a Medieval Joust in September and an antiques fair the first weekend of every month!<\/span><\/p>\n

How to get to Arezzo from Florence<\/span><\/h3>\n

Regional <\/span>Trenitalia<\/span><\/a> trains run from the Santa Maria Novella station to Arezzo a few times every hour. Depending on the line, the train ride will be 45-90 minutes long.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Arezzo is one of the 12 most important Etruscan cities. Photo credit: Jacopo<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cortona<\/span><\/h2>\n

Live out all your wildest <\/span>Under the Tuscan Sun<\/span><\/i> dreams when you visit Cortona. Like Arezzo, <\/span>Cortona<\/span><\/a> has ancient, Etruscan roots that you can feel when roaming its stone streets. The picture-perfect hilltop town is characterized by steep, narrow streets, medieval architecture, and walls encircling the city.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you love breathtaking views, Cortona should be number one on your list of towns in Tuscany to visit. With an elevation of 2,000 feet (600 meters), on a clear day, you can see a sweeping view of the entire Valdichiana\u2013a massive valley that stretches across numerous provinces of Tuscany and Umbria. From Piazza Garibaldi, you can see Lake Trasimeno in the distance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cortona is home to the <\/span>Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca Cortona (MAEC).<\/span><\/a> MAEC houses an impressive collection of artifacts uncovered in the land surrounding Cortona. Items include Etruscan artifacts as well as Roman and ancient Egyptian specimens. Another section of the museum houses more modern work from the Medieval and Renaissance periods.<\/span><\/p>\n

The culinary tradition in Cortona is wholly Tuscan while also maintaining its own flair. If we could encapsulate Cortonese cuisine in one meal, this is what we would get:<\/span><\/p>\n