Tuscany... more than sunflowers and cypresses
Few who have been to Tuscany are not captivated by its culture and landscape. Of course, the region is famous for its wine, too.
Tuscany has few peers - even in Italy. You could spend months there revelling in art and culture - Florence is Europe's finest Renaissance city, Siena one of its most perfect mediaeval towns, and San Gimignano, Volterra, Pienza, Montepulciano and Montalcino some of the loveliest smaller centres imaginable.
And if art palls, there are the lures of food, wine, gardens, music festivals and a medley of supreme landscapes. Children, however, will likely want more. But that's not a problem because the region also has beaches, theme parks, towers to climb and gelato to devour.
Some towns, it must be said, are too busy in summer, but no matter what, this is a region that can be enjoyed in countless ways, and at any time of the year.
One good way to get a feel of Tuscany is by staying in a place away from the centre of the major towns, ideally in the country but not too far away as to involve you in too much travelling whenever you want to visit some of the attractions of the region.
A few days ago, I stayed at La Nuvola Farmhouse, which is set in a typically Tuscan hillside landscape, a 20-minute ride from Massa Marittima in Grosseto.
La Nuvola Farmhouse is run by Mariano Galas, well-known to Maltese holidaymakers as a ski instructor in Livigno, and Eleonora, who is Maltese. It has magnificent views and easy access to walks through the woods.
Mariano and Eleonora ensure the utmost hospitality for their guests, whether in groups or as individuals. Stays at La Nuvola include breakfast every day and dinner on most evenings. The rooms are spotlessly clean, have amazingly comfortable beds and the perfect quiet of the countryside ensures sound sleep at night.
Getting there is pretty easy... YTC, with the help of Mariano and Eleonora, organise small group departures (not more than 16 people) to La Nuvola. Upon arrival at Fiumicino Airport, guests are picked up by Mariano or Eleonora themselves and for the rest of the week, a journey of discovery filled with extraordinary sights begins!
At this time of the year, landscapes of vineyards and hills awash with sunflowers greet you during this beautiful but very twisty drive to Tuscany. This region is a "dish" that stirs the soul's palate, seasoned with some of earth's finest ingredients. There is so much culture on which to feast yourself that you could spend a lifetime stuffing your face and still not have enough.
To whet the appetite, halfway down the 'boot' is Florence, where the streets are literally lined with artistic treasures that will prime you for the greater cultural and sensory Italian feast to come.
Home to many of Italy's most famous art treasures, Florence is a treasure in itself. Take in the breathtaking architecture, wander across to Ponte Vecchio, soak up the style and substance of this fabulous city or just relax and watch some of Europe's most fashionable people walk by...
With your cultural and gastronomic spirits literally stuffed to the hilt, head to Siena. The Cathedral of Siena is very hard to miss. The exterior façade is covered in alternating black and white stripes in its entirety.
And if you thirst for a bit of authentic Italian mayhem, by all means go during July and August, when the famous Il Palio races take place in the grounds of Piazza del Campo. Join the fray at the biannual events, when the riders in mediaeval dress tear around the Renaissance cobblestone streets. The race itself lasts only two minutes in which 10 participants from different contradas race around the piazza trying to win the race both by racing and by heckling the other riders.
Like most towns and cities in the region, Siena has such an abundance of architectural magnificence that one visit may not be enough. Marvel at Duccio's Maesta in the Museo dell' Opera del Duomo, and the churches of San Domenico, San Francesco and Santa Maria dei Servi. Take that all in and you'll understand why the Campo is a place for well-deserved reflection over a gelato or an espresso.
Halfway between Florence and Siena is San Gimignano, known as the City of the Beautiful Towers. Its tangle of mediaeval alleyways and winding backstreets are a joy to explore and the views from the steadfast 13th century sentry towers are breathtaking.
The town, a Unesco World Heritage site since 1990, is a wonderland of archways, narrow streets and bustling piazzas. You can visit museums and churches to view the famous frescoes by Ghirlandaio (Michelangelo's fresco-painting teacher) or climb the Torre Grossa, the town's tallest tower.
Wine lovers travel to this famous hill town not only to absorb its rich history and culture but also to sample the historic Vernaccia di San Gimignano (a DOCG wine), Chianti Colli Senesi (DOCG) and San Gimignano Rosso (DOC).
Wine is truly the lifeblood of this town. You can't help but notice that wine production and wine tasting are important to both San Gimignano's residents and visitors alike. San Gimignano boasts several wine shops where you can taste the local produce and if the urge takes you, buy wine.
Some also sell cheese, sausages and other perfect picnic fare. You can even treat yourself to ice cream made from wine at the Gelateria di Piazza, Sergio Dondoli's award-winning establishment in Piazza della Cisterna.
Books have been written and films made about Tuscany, but you have actually to go there to discover why so many people fall in love with the place. And once you've been there, you never stop talking about it and would want to go back.
• For further details on La Nuvola small summer group departures contact Stellina at YTC on 2142 1464, 2141 4811 or 9942 0377. You can also visit the website: www.ytctravel.org or e-mail: stellina@ytctravel.org
• Ms Grech travelled to Tuscany courtesy of Air Malta and YTC.
And if art palls, there are the lures of food, wine, gardens, music festivals and a medley of supreme landscapes. Children, however, will likely want more. But that's not a problem because the region also has beaches, theme parks, towers to climb and gelato to devour.
Some towns, it must be said, are too busy in summer, but no matter what, this is a region that can be enjoyed in countless ways, and at any time of the year.
One good way to get a feel of Tuscany is by staying in a place away from the centre of the major towns, ideally in the country but not too far away as to involve you in too much travelling whenever you want to visit some of the attractions of the region.
A few days ago, I stayed at La Nuvola Farmhouse, which is set in a typically Tuscan hillside landscape, a 20-minute ride from Massa Marittima in Grosseto.
La Nuvola Farmhouse is run by Mariano Galas, well-known to Maltese holidaymakers as a ski instructor in Livigno, and Eleonora, who is Maltese. It has magnificent views and easy access to walks through the woods.
Mariano and Eleonora ensure the utmost hospitality for their guests, whether in groups or as individuals. Stays at La Nuvola include breakfast every day and dinner on most evenings. The rooms are spotlessly clean, have amazingly comfortable beds and the perfect quiet of the countryside ensures sound sleep at night.
Getting there is pretty easy... YTC, with the help of Mariano and Eleonora, organise small group departures (not more than 16 people) to La Nuvola. Upon arrival at Fiumicino Airport, guests are picked up by Mariano or Eleonora themselves and for the rest of the week, a journey of discovery filled with extraordinary sights begins!
At this time of the year, landscapes of vineyards and hills awash with sunflowers greet you during this beautiful but very twisty drive to Tuscany. This region is a "dish" that stirs the soul's palate, seasoned with some of earth's finest ingredients. There is so much culture on which to feast yourself that you could spend a lifetime stuffing your face and still not have enough.
To whet the appetite, halfway down the 'boot' is Florence, where the streets are literally lined with artistic treasures that will prime you for the greater cultural and sensory Italian feast to come.
Home to many of Italy's most famous art treasures, Florence is a treasure in itself. Take in the breathtaking architecture, wander across to Ponte Vecchio, soak up the style and substance of this fabulous city or just relax and watch some of Europe's most fashionable people walk by...
With your cultural and gastronomic spirits literally stuffed to the hilt, head to Siena. The Cathedral of Siena is very hard to miss. The exterior façade is covered in alternating black and white stripes in its entirety.
And if you thirst for a bit of authentic Italian mayhem, by all means go during July and August, when the famous Il Palio races take place in the grounds of Piazza del Campo. Join the fray at the biannual events, when the riders in mediaeval dress tear around the Renaissance cobblestone streets. The race itself lasts only two minutes in which 10 participants from different contradas race around the piazza trying to win the race both by racing and by heckling the other riders.
Like most towns and cities in the region, Siena has such an abundance of architectural magnificence that one visit may not be enough. Marvel at Duccio's Maesta in the Museo dell' Opera del Duomo, and the churches of San Domenico, San Francesco and Santa Maria dei Servi. Take that all in and you'll understand why the Campo is a place for well-deserved reflection over a gelato or an espresso.
Halfway between Florence and Siena is San Gimignano, known as the City of the Beautiful Towers. Its tangle of mediaeval alleyways and winding backstreets are a joy to explore and the views from the steadfast 13th century sentry towers are breathtaking.
The town, a Unesco World Heritage site since 1990, is a wonderland of archways, narrow streets and bustling piazzas. You can visit museums and churches to view the famous frescoes by Ghirlandaio (Michelangelo's fresco-painting teacher) or climb the Torre Grossa, the town's tallest tower.
Wine lovers travel to this famous hill town not only to absorb its rich history and culture but also to sample the historic Vernaccia di San Gimignano (a DOCG wine), Chianti Colli Senesi (DOCG) and San Gimignano Rosso (DOC).
Wine is truly the lifeblood of this town. You can't help but notice that wine production and wine tasting are important to both San Gimignano's residents and visitors alike. San Gimignano boasts several wine shops where you can taste the local produce and if the urge takes you, buy wine.
Some also sell cheese, sausages and other perfect picnic fare. You can even treat yourself to ice cream made from wine at the Gelateria di Piazza, Sergio Dondoli's award-winning establishment in Piazza della Cisterna.
Books have been written and films made about Tuscany, but you have actually to go there to discover why so many people fall in love with the place. And once you've been there, you never stop talking about it and would want to go back.
• For further details on La Nuvola small summer group departures contact Stellina at YTC on 2142 1464, 2141 4811 or 9942 0377. You can also visit the website: www.ytctravel.org or e-mail: stellina@ytctravel.org
• Ms Grech travelled to Tuscany courtesy of Air Malta and YTC.