Practical advice about traveling to Tuscany

We do not get tired of repeating that Tuscany is a marvelous destination, full of enchanting surprises throughout any season of the year, as its charm and the special fascination it exerts on the traveler remains unchanged for the 365 days of the year. Each season offers a wide range of advantages of its own to turn your holidays into a unique moment…the suggestive peace and tranquility of the winter months, the beauty of the sceneries at the height of their transformation in autumn and spring and the fun and hustle and bustle of the summertime in which the pleasure of feeling the warm Tuscan sun blends with the pleasure of participating in the endless popular fests and remarkable events of the region that as in the case of the celebrated Palio di Siena deserves itself a visit.

Below we will detail about some practical advice for those planning a trip to Tuscany in the following months.

Weather

The weather in Tuscany is nicely moderate in the spring as well as in autumn and cold in the wintertime (very similar to the weather of the central regions of Spain). It is a region of little wind with the exception of the area of the Tyrrhenian Coast in Marina di Pisa and Tirrenia. and its temperature somewhat inferior than in the other Italian regions makes the summer nice temperature enjoyable, especially on the hills and mountainous areas. The weather in Florence can be extreme. As it is crossed by the Arno the town can have very high humidity level in the summer months that increases the apparent temperature in July and August.

Shops’ opening times

In the main cities and villages the shops open from Monday to Saturday from 8.30 to 1 pm and from 3.30 pm to 7.30 pm. In the summer in many tourist towns shops probably extend their closing time and some shops do not close at noon. The famous outlets of Tuscany, in which you can find the first Italian label’s garments at the best prices, tend to open from Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 8-9 pm. As regards restaurants they tend to open from 1 pm to 3 pm for lunch and from 8pm on for dining. It is necessary to take into account that in most places it is not possible to eat later than 3 pm.

Transport in the interior of Tuscany

The villages and towns in Tuscany are perfectly communicated by trains and intercity buses. You can check timetables and railway stations in the following link: http://www.ferroviedellostato.it/. The ticket is bought in the ticket booths or in the ticket machines and it is essential to validate them in the yellow machines on the platforms as should you forget to do it, you are obliged to pay a heavy fine starting from € 50 as minimum. For those wanting to travel to Tuscany we recommend that they leave the car in any nearby village and continue by train to town. The fact that the great limitation of traffic in the areas of the centre of towns together with the little parking offer make trains the most valid and quickest way to get to the centre of town.

Travelling by car in Tuscany

The region is very well connected by toll highways or the Superstrada (toll-free highway). Therefore, it is one of the Italian regions with the best infrastructure for those travelling by car. It is necessary to take into account that unlike other countries there are many filling stations that are not open 24 hours a day and you will have to take into account that they may close on Sundays. Therefore you should not speed to avoid disgusting surprises at the moment of filling your car with petrol.

Accommodation in Tuscany

The region affords an incredibly big infrastructure of accommodation in Villas, Country Houses and Charming Hotels. There are more and more groups of friends and families who opt to spend their holidays in an exclusive private villa with a swimming pool enjoying an unforgettable stay at a really affordable price. There are small villas for 6 people and sumptuous villas for 40 guests with everything guests may need to relish unforgettable holidays. Families with children tend to look for Tuscan Country Houses in which adults and children enjoy country life and the tranquility of holidays in close contact with nature. Traveling couples usually prefer a romantic Charming Hotel to enjoy a perfect stay.

The Tuscany Travel Blog

If you have recently visited Tuscany or you would like to visit Tuscany we now offer the Tuscany Travel Blog Here you have the opportunity to share your experience, request information or impressions to other customers, and also become an author of the Blog yourself!