5 Reasons Tuscany Should be at the Top of Your Travel Bucket List

Tuscany's stunning and diverse natural landscape, Renaissance art and architecture, and fascinating history and culture make it a top choice for anyone's bucket list. You'll find luxurious Tuscan villas for rent scattered throughout Italy's central region from the rugged Apennine Mountains to Elba's beaches by the Tyrrhenian Sea. Let the following five reasons convince you to put Tuscany at the top of your list for dream destinations.

1. Charming Villages

Of course, you'll want to visit top cities like Florence, Siena, and Pisa, but one of the best ways to explore the beauty and culture of Tuscany is by visiting its hidden gems. The region has 38 small towns designated as Bandiere Arancione, or Orange Flag destinations for their landscape conservation, cultural heritage, and quality accommodations such as luxury vacation villas.

Anghiari is a hilltop town in the province of Arezzo that springs into view all at once as you wind around a hairpin turn at the western entrance. You'll notice the lack of mass tourism to be impressed by the lush landscape of the Valtiberina region instead. Don't miss the medieval village of Barberino Val d'Elsa with its ancient walls and main street that connects the two gate towers, the Porta Fiorentina and Porta Romana.

2. History and Culture

The Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence is adorned with replicas of Piazzale Michelangelo sculptures along with the best panoramic views of the city. The 19th-century piazza is located on an elevated point providing incredible views of major architectural sites such as the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio.

Around 90 minutes to the west lies the province of Pisa with its freestanding bell tower of the city's cathedral...