Thinking of a buying a Tuscany real estate for sale? We’ve pieced together a helpful guide to the region so that if you were still in the decision-making process, we can help convince you why Tuscany is the perfect place for you. Our feature will show you the pure Italian exquisiteness that makes Tuscany such an appealing place, and perhaps a place you can soon call your home from home:
Why Tuscany?
The question should really be, why not Tuscany? During the summer months, there is an abundance of glorious sunshine that, for those international buyers who are based in the UK, will come as a welcomed pleasure. During this time, you can expect temperatures to be in the region of 30°C, and with that comes the popular tourism period.
Understandably, there is the desire to bask in the sun and mingle at the local bars, so if you love social gatherings then you’ll surely thrive during summer in Tuscany!
Come the spring and autumn periods you can still benefit from the warmer temperatures, but there will be fewer people around, leaving you with the opportunity to share a private sunset or two with a loved one.
Food and drink in Tuscany
The range and variation of fresh produce available in Tuscany are as scintillating as the scenery and culture. Try the locally produced olive oil, sample the variety of cheeses, and find seventh heaven! For those looking to indulge in slightly more exclusive cuisine, the local truffles cannot be avoided or indeed underestimated in terms of their delightful taste.
If you’re wanting to learn some more about traditional Tuscan dishes, here are a few examples:
- Bistecca alla Fiorentina: Translated as Steak Florentine, this is a porterhouse or T-bone with as large a fillet (tenderloin) as possible.
- Panzanella: A flavoursome Tuscan salad made up of bread and tomatoes that is widely enjoyed over the summer months. It includes chunks of soaked stale bread and tomatoes, sometimes with the addition of onions and basil, dressed with olive oil and vinegar, to create this traditional dish.
- Ribollita: A famous Tuscan soup, this hearty broth-style soup made using bread and vegetables is a delight. There are handfuls of varieties when it comes to making this dish, but the main ingredients always include leftover bread, cannellini beans, Lacinato kale, cabbage, and inexpensive vegetables such as carrot, beans, chard, celery, potatoes and onion. Its name literally means “reboiled”.
Sampling the wine is another treat you should indulge in and so we’ve included two reds and two whites from the world-famous Tuscan range that we’d advise you taste and familiarise yourself with. They are as follows:
Reds
- Chianti: Deriving its name not from the grape used to make the wine, which is Sangiovese, but from the region where it is made, Chianti; this wine offers a very earthy and rustic taste which is high in tannins. Chianti has a smell and taste that is evocative of cherries and strawberries and is also high in acidity, meaning it is an ideal pairing for your food.
- Montepulciano: The second most-planted red grape in Italy (after Sangiovese) carries a reputation for being a juicy, pizza-friendly option. This grape has been proven to have superb potential thanks to the production of its inky, black fruit driven, chocolatey wines that are best enjoyed after four or more years of ageing.
Whites
- Trebbiano Toscano: This grape is the most-widely grown variety of grapes at the national level. Mainly grown in Tuscany, Lazio and Umbria, Trebbiano is used for blending into Chianti Classico wines but now it goes into simpler Chiantis, such as light white wines and a variety of Vin Santo (dessert wine).
- Moscato: Almost exclusively found in the northern regions of Italy, this is one of the most well-known leisure wines in the area. An ancient grape with many flavours and aromas, Moscato produces a fresh, fragrant, and sweet wine, with flavours that are predominantly very fruit-driven, often offering notes of peach and orange zest.
Cities to visit in Tuscany
Siena: With its beautifully-preserved medieval buildings that skirt the maze-like streets are a sight to behold. Here, you will discover the main piazza, named Il Campo. This is a must for all and if you would like to obtain the perfect vantage point, take the stairs to the top of the famous Gothic cathedral.
Pisa: Home to one of the foremost attractions on the planet, the Leaning Tower. Situated in the Field of Miracles, which comprises of a vast grassy square, that’s also home to the stunning duomo and baptistery. Pisa is a place that should make everyone’s bucket list at the very least.
Florence: A gentle distraction from the scenic Tuscan countryside. Its prime sights include the Uffizi Gallery, the cathedral, with its duomo and campanile, and the Palazzo Vecchio. A stroll along the Ponte Vecchio cannot be missed while in one of the most romantic locations in Italy, if not the world!
Scenic towns to visit in Tuscany
Pienza: The tiny hillside village of Pienza was sculpted into a Renaissance town in the 15th century, thanks to Pope Pius II. The birthplace of the pope features quaint narrow streets that almost take you back in time as you meander, frequently coming across breath-taking viewpoints overlooking the Tuscan countryside.
Montepulciano: The charming medieval town of Montepulciano offers up a host of ancient churches, along with exciting, bustling squares, as well as the beautiful Piazza Grande. Flanked by lush green forests and rolling hills that feature pockets of quintessential vineyards, Montepulciano is idyllic at the very least.
San Gimignano: Boasting a landscape dominated by its towers, 14 of which still remain standing today from the original 72. Discover Torre Grossa, the biggest on show, which dates back to the 14th century and proudly stands at an impressive 54 metres tall. Don’t forget to reserve a slot in your day to wander along the ancient outer walls, where you will have the opportunity to savour the views of the scenic countryside and the town’s historical centre.
If this is a venture that appeals to you, then contact our team at Prestige Property and see how we can help you achieve your dream move to Tuscany.