The Region
Tuscany is another region that is often straightjacketed, in the minds of visitors, to the city of Florence. No one can reasonably downplay the uncountable artistic treasures and lyric architectural fabric in which were born the modern Italian language, the Renaissance and Humanism which have left an indelible mark on the entire European culture.
 But why shortchange one's pleasures in staying confined to an oft-overcrowded tourist zone ? The rest of Tuscany is full of heritage, be it traces of Etruscan civilisation or the art of Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Brunelleschi and others...
The land offers graceful evolutions. The sharp mountains to the north gradually soften going southwards into picture postcard hillsides until they reach the pine-scented coast. Even the coastline has sharp contrasts, particularly north of Pisa where it is sheltered by a rugged chain of Apuan Alps.
Oh... and we have yet to start discussing matters of food and wines...
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