Golden wheat fields, silver olive groves and pea-green vineyards… welcome to Tuscany!
This region in central Italy has to be by far one of the most picturesque places in the country. It’s hard not to love its stunning rolling hills, its misty mornings and of course those iconic cypress alleys. Yes, like we said, definitely postcard material.
Are you ready to spend some time under the Tuscan sun with us? Here is our itinerary for three magical days in beautiful Tuscany.
GETTING THERE
If you are based outside Europe, there are many reasonably priced flights to Italy, generally to the larger international airports in Milan or Rome. From there, you can easily rent a car and drive to Tuscany or take a train to Florence.
But if Europe is the continent you call home, you can also look for flights that fly into Pisa, Bologna or Florence, just like we did.
DAY 1:
Our trip started in Pisa, where we rented a car for the weekend, and two and half hours later we were already enjoying a glass of Chianti in our first stop: Terme di Saturnia.
DAY 2:
FIRST STOP
Wake up with the birds to enjoy the most unforgettable sunrise at Terme di Saturnia. Saturnia is a spa town in Tuscany in north-central Italy that has been inhabited since ancient times and it’s most popular for hosting the most breathtaking hot springs.
Take advantage of the free entrance to the hot water springs called "Cascate di Mulino", located less than 6 km outside of the town of Saturnia and 3 km from the Terme di Saturnia Resort.
PREPARE FOR YOUR VISIT:
There are no public changing rooms, so you may want to come dressed in your bathing suit. Most people come prepared with large towels to make it easier to change into dry clothes after.
Parking is free but limited.
The area is virtually unattended by any type of authority that means no lifeguards.
Rock up early! Though many places will tell you that these waters are a well kept secret, they really aren't! Many people come to enjoy the waters - so they are very busy.
Whether it’s before or after you visit the springs, make sure to stop and take some time to explore Saturnia town that stands on top of a hill overlooking the famous thermal springs.
SECOND STOP
Tuscany is the home of Chianti and Brunello di Montelciano, so make sure to find yourself a winery for a wine tasting followed by a delicious Tuscan lunch overlooking the hills.
THIRD STOP
Get ready to enjoy sunset in the heart of the Tuscan hills surrounded by vineyards, and the magnificent cypress trees, a symbol of the Tuscan landscape.
There are several places that will look the same, but the actual coordinates for this location is the following: 43.2005822, 11.5906828 – Agritursimo Bacconelo. The road is private entry only but you can park your car there and follow the path through the hills to the left of the gate.
What next? Get ready to drive back to Pisa to enjoy a proper Italian Sunday!
DAY 3:
Wake up early if you want to have the Pisa Tower all to yourself.
The Leaning Tower has made Pisa famous all over the world, and in addition to the tower, the city offers many other interesting things to see worth at least an entire day.
When you first arrive at the beautiful Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles), your sight will be captivated by the magnificent tower which you can admire from below or inside as well.
The square is full of bakeries and bars, so you can enjoy a delicious Italian breakfast in the heart of the cultural square.
A traditional Tuscan breakfast (Colazione) is made up of a cappuccino in which you dip pastries such as “cornetto”, “brioche”, “pezzo” or “pasta”.
Take the rest of the afternoon to get lost amongst the cute little streets in Pisa and finish the day with a tasty dinner in one of the restaurants outside the square.
WHERE TO STAY:
In both Saturnia and Pisa, we opted to stay at an Airbnb as we wanted to feel like locals rather than tourists.
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
The best times to visit Tuscany are between late September and October and between April and May. During these months, you will find comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds at the major sights.
USEFUL TIPS:
The main Tuscan airport is Pisa pisa-airport.com. Florence’s Peretola airport aeroporto.firenze.it has no capacity for intercontinental flights, and as the low-cost airlines avoid it, it’s also a relatively expensive destination.
Driving is the best (sometimes the only) way to explore the remoter rural areas. Tuscan roads are generally well-maintained, and 24-hour petrol stations are reasonably common, though don’t always count on being able to use your credit card in the machine. Parking in many historic towns is restricted or metered.
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