Tuscan Things To Do

Here are some recommendations of things to do in Tuscany, carefully curated by the bride and groom.

Tuscan Towns

1) Arezzo
2) Cortona
3) Fiesole
4) Forte dei Marmi
5) Lucca
6) Montepulciano   <--- BRIDE & GROOM'S CHOICE
7) Monteriggioni
8) Pisa
9) San Gimignano
10) Siena

Attractions for "Tourist Trap" Travellers

1) Duomo Firenze (church)
2) Michelangelo's David
3) Leaning Tower of Pisa
4) Ponte Vecchio   <--- BRIDE'S CHOICE
5) San Miniato Al Monte (church)
6) The Mall (shopping - outlet)   <--- GROOM'S CHOICE !!
7) Uffizi Gallery (museum)
8) Via dei Calzaiuoli, Firenze (shopping - mid to high end)
9) Via Santo Spirito, Firenze (shopping - artisanal boutiques)
10) Via Tornabuoni, Firenze (shopping - high end)

Attractions for "Off The Beaten Track" Travellers

1) Lucignano
2) Maremma
3) Pitigliano   <--- BRIDE'S CHOICE
4) Poppi
5) Vie Cave in Sorano   <--- GROOM'S CHOICE

Restaurants

1) Enoteca Pinchori in Florence Old Town
www.enotecapinchiorri.it/
- €150-250
- 3 Michelin stars. The only 3 star restaurant in the whole of Tuscany. Tuscan specialties inspire the imaginative and innovative cuisine. Might be worth a look if you are into fancy schmancy dining.

2) Osteria di Passignano in Tavarnelle Val di Pesa   <--- BRIDE'S CHOICE
www.osteriadipassignano.com/
- €60-90
- 1 Michelin star. Top notch service and excellent food. As it is part of the Antinori estate, it naturally also serves fantastic wine. Located in the Chianti Classico region. Situated adjacent to Badia di Passignano (The Abbey of Passignano), which is an ancient monastery dating back to 395, and is still inhabited by monks of the Vallombrosian Order today. Good for a stroll after a full and satisfied stomach.

3) Ristorante La Reggia degli Etruschi in Fiesole   <--- GROOM'S CHOICE
www.lareggiadeglietruschi.com/
- €20-35
- Breathtaking views of Florence from this restaurant, situated on the top of the Fiesole hills. Friendly service and authentic local cuisine. Reasonably priced wines as well.

4) Trattoria Casalinga in Florence Old Town
www.trattorialacasalinga.it/
- €12-20
- Authentic Tuscan cuisine. Inexpensive. Frequented by lots of locals and travellers.

5) Trattoria Cibreo-Cibreino in Florence Old Town
www.edizioniteatrodelsalecibreofirenze.it/
- €30-40
- Authentic Tuscan cuisine. Michelin Bib Gourmand. Roast rack of beef is one of the house specialties. Often crowded. No reservations.

Vineyards & Wineries

1) Antinori in Chianti   <--- GROOM'S CHOICE
www.antinori.it/
- Family owned Marchesi Antinori is arguably the most famous house in Italian wine, having started the business in 1385. The Antinori family have decided to open a state-of-the-art facility in Bargino to showcase their winemaking process in 2013. Aside from a winery and tasting room, visitors can also go to their restaurant (Rinuccio 1180, which is delicious by the way), auditorium, museum, bookshop and retail wine store.
- 25 min drive from Florence

2) Avignonesi in Montepulciano   <--- BRIDE'S CHOICE
www.avignonesi.it/
- A beautiful Tuscan cyprus tree lined drive greets you on your way in to the winery and vineyard. This is a smaller winery versus the likes of Frescobaldi and Banfi, so is more cosy and relaxed. Should you wish to have lunch before or after your tour and tasting, they have a beautiful area for indoor or outdoor dining, overlooking the vineyards. Simple homecooked Tuscan food, but delicious.
- 1 hr 20 min drive from Florence

3) Castelgiocondo del Frescobaldi in Montalcino
www.castelgiocondo.it/en/
- Housed in a centuries old castle that is part of the extensive holdings of Frescobaldi in Montalcino. Producers of the highly rated Brunello. On the same estate, Frescobaldi and Mondavi (from California) produce Luce (blend of Sangiovese and Merlot). A visit to the cellars and vineyard may range from a simple tour and tasting to a private light lunch or VIP tour and dinner on the estate.
- 1 hr 50 min drive from Florence

4) Castello di Banfi in Montalcino
www.castellobanfi.com/en/
- One of the highest rated and largest wineries in Montalcino. Produces the famous Brunello di Montalcino amongst other wines. American owned and very commercial, but as a result the tours are efficiently run.
- 1 hr 50 min drive from Florence

5) Tenuta San Guido in Bolgheri
www.tenutasanguido.com/
- Home of the best of the best wines in Italy. Producer of Sassicaia. Advanced reservations recommended as they only host a maximum of 10 people per tour on certain days of the week.
- 1 hr 30 min drive from Florence

Photography taken on an iPhone 5s.
Images: (top image) Il Borro (medieval village in Arezzo);
(top row, from L to R) Driving through Tuscany, Chianti winery, Montalcino vineyard, Michelin star dining at Osteria di Passignano;
(bottom row, from L to R) Monteriggioni (medieval town), San Gimignano (UNESCO site), Bread, View of Florence from Villa Cora.