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Tuscany gave birth to the Renaissance and it is the
revolutionary impact of this great cultural movement that
has given the province its importance. Works by Tuscan masters
like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo influenced
the path of art to the present day and Tuscan architects,
most notably Brunelleschi who designed the dome of Florence's
Duomo, had a lasting influence on architecture. Even
the Italian language has its roots in the dialect written
by Dante, Boccaccio and Petrarch who were all
born in the region. Quite apart from the dazzling cultural
relics of its past, amply provided by the cities of Florence,
Siena and Pisa, it's the Tuscan countryside that
draws people to the province. For many people it's typically
Italian with its hilltop towns, rows of cypress trees and
vineyard-covered hills and it's this very charm that has led
to Tuscany's unfortunate overcrowding. No visit to Tuscany
is complete without a visit to its major attractions like
Florence but to get away from the tourist hordes head to the
Etruscan sites in the south and some of Italy's best beaches
on Monte Argentario and the island of Elba.
Getting Around Tuscany
By Car
Probably the easiest way of navigating round Tuscany is with
your own set of wheels; as long as you feel comfortable coming
up against the infamous Italian driving. The main highways
are good but busy while the back roads offer scenic drives
but slower progress. All the major car rental companies have
outlets in the major cities and airports. The costs are around
€46 per day although if you hire a car for a week prices
can drop as low as €30 per day.
The car driven in the Globe Trekker: Tuscany TV programme
was a Maserati, for further information contact them at the
following address:
Maserati
Maserati S.p.A.
Viale Ciro Menotti, 32
41100
Modena
Italy
And if you are unlucky enough to break down....
Hertz
Tel: 00 39 02 696 82445
International Toll free number: 00 39 02 694 30006
Our crew got excellent service from them when their van broke
down in the middle of the motorway.
By Moto
For those more accustomed to the feeling of wind blowing through
their hair, you can hire a scooter or motorbike. In Florence,
traffic is restricted around the city centre so it's best
to walk, hire a scooter or hire a bicycle and beat the traffic.
To hire a scooter approach Alinari.
Alinari (cars, motorbikes, scooters, bicycles)
Via Guelfa 85R
Tel: 0039 055 28 05 00
Scooters cost up to €41 per day and bicycles cost €6
for five hours.
By Bus
If a car or bike isn't an option, bus is your next best option
for getting around. The main operators are SITA and LAZZI.
There are some train connections but for the most part (except
between Florence and Siena) bus is a faster mode of transport.
Services are frequent on weekdays but be prepared for a distinct
lack of connections smaller towns on Sundays and public holidays.
An average three-hour journey is around €7.
Bus travel in Italy is potentially reliable and inexpensive
but is considered second best to train travel by the natives.
Granted, the train is often faster and more comfortable but
can be slightly more expensive; always compare the cost with
a railway ticket and check for connecting services at the
local tourist information centre.
Local buses can be your only mode of public transport in
a lot of the smaller towns but service is often limited to
one or two daily. Along the Amalfi coast, through Tuscany,
the Dolomites, Liguria, and the interior of Sardegnia and
Sicily there are no or few trains, so buses are the only alternative.
SITA Autostradale and Lazzi buses are the main operators through
Italy however there are many private companies and therefore
no central system. It pays to check for connections with the
local tourist information office well ahead of time. Most
private bus lines have a ticket office or allow you to pay
when you board.
When taking a city bus buy your ticket from a machine, newsstand
or tobacconist and stamp it on board in the validating machine.
Buses going to the airport can differ from this system.
By Boat
The crossing from Piombino to Elba is an hour and costs €6.20
per person or €26.75 for a small car plus driver (and
other passengers cost extra).
Agenzia Marittima Sacomar
Via Guerrazzi, 11
57037 Portoferraio - Li
Tel/fax: 0565 914 797
www.sacomar.it
email: info *at* sacomar.it
On Elba get away from fellow tourists on a boat hired from
this agency and discover the island's hidden coves.
Cash
Tuscany's popularity makes it an expensive place to visit.
Florence, Rome and Venice are Italy's triumvirate of pricey
cities due to hefty accommodation costs and high entrance
charges to attractions.
You can feasibly get by on €90 per day if you stay in
cheap pensioni or small hotels and if you keep the sit down
meals and the museum visits to once a day. To keep your expenditure
down in Florence, take advantage of the 'self service' restaurants
which are scattered all over the city centre; food is mostly
good and you'll save quite a bit of money. At coffee bars
prices can double if you sit down, so stand at the bar to
have your coffee.
If money is no object, you'll find lots of ways to spend
it; Tuscany has plenty of luxury hotels, expensive restaurants
and shops to wave your wads at. |
