Charming countryside of roads lined with pine trees and cypresses, olive groves and vineyards and medieval hilltop towns with ancient towers, squares and walls. Relics from Roman and Etruscan civilizations. A refined, yet simple cuisine, world class wines, museums abounding with unique masterpieces of art. Colourful festivals, impressive football matches and elegant shopping. Central Italy is probably the most renowned area of Italy and the regions of Tuscany and Umbria are what many people see as the “real Italy”.
Provacances offers holiday houses in these wonderful areas of Tuscany and Northern Umbria, a selective choice of very charming wineries and farmhouses with apartments of high standard – often with small, pleasant, family-run restaurants. If you need a good argument for trying the rural lifestyle, the food might be a good one. At many places, they make their own wine, olive oil, honey, cheese, salami, fruit, vegetables etc. Testing the local wine and the farm’s own produce are the good things of life. Read more about Tuscany - Umbria All holiday homes in Tuscany - UmbriaProvacances offers holiday houses in these wonderful areas of Tuscany and Northern Umbria, a selective choice of very charming wineries and farmhouses with apartments of high standard – often with small, pleasant, family-run restaurants. If you need a good argument for trying the rural lifestyle, the food might be a good one. At many places, they make their own wine, olive oil, honey, cheese, salami, fruit, vegetables etc. Testing the local wine and the farm’s own produce are the good things of life.
Tuscany’s varied landscapes offer all you could wish for. Soft rolling hills with cypresses, vineyards and olive trees in the Chianti area, wild Apennine peaks to the north by Abetone and white sandy beaches on the Mediterranean. And for those who enjoy life, there are unique possibilities to see some of the world’s most famous art collections (i.e. in Florence), taste outstanding wines or discover the irresistible Tuscan cuisine.
Charming medieval towns like Lucca, Pisa and Sienna (the Italian name is Siena) make Tuscany a pure Eldorado for history-lovers and travelling around the picturesque countryside, it seems as if every hilltop has a medieval village of its own. Culture is omnipresent with famous gardens, world known artists, writers and composers. But also, opportunities to relax by the swimming pool or to enjoy the views, the climate and the atmosphere.
A charming way to experience the country is the so-called agriturismo – the Italian word for agricultural tourism. You can stay at an azienda agricola (a wine-producing castle or – farm), a tenuta (a big farm, which might be a producing/working farm), a villa padronale (a country house), a casa colonica (a cottage / small holding) or a podere (a farm). Some of the most impressive places are situated in the Provinces of Florence and Sienna (the Chianti Region) and in the Arezzo Province. Tuscany offers unexpected possibilities for all requirements.
In general the climate in Tuscany is very mild. There are some differences between the regions, though. Rule of thumb: at the coast and in the valleys the summers are hotter than in the hilly areas, where the climate is very continental – rain falls are more often. Usually the summers in Tuscany are without rain and very hot, especially in the valleys. Spring (April and May) and autumn (October and November) might be rainy but there are still dry, sunny days. In the winter there are sunny, mild days but at night it sometimes gets very cold. July is the hottest month with temperatures from 25°C up to 32°C. Especially in the valleys the temperatures sometimes rise up high. In the coldest month – January- there are about 7°C at the coast and about 3,5°C to 5,5°C inside the country. Of course the temperature in the mountainous areas is below.