Tuscany & Umbria: food, wine, hiking, biking

The regions of Tuscany and Umbria are in the center of Italy and are next to each other, making it convenient to visit both in one trip. Visiting Tuscany and Umbria in 10 days allows the traveler to experience Italy’s beaches and iconic countryside scenery. The regions also have fantastic food and wine, significant art, and enticing history. We recently worked with a couple who said we could share some photos from a recent trip. They flew in and out of Rome, and as they were already familiar with driving in Italy, we recommended having a rental car for the entire trip. Their priorities were food and wine, hiking and biking, and going off the beaten path.

Photo credit: Aarsby

Maremma, Tuscany

After arriving in Rome, this couple picked up a rental car. Since their final destination of Lucca was just a 3-hour drive, they wanted to make a stop somewhere along the way. Their request: a small town, off the beaten path. They wanted to be outside in the sunshine and fresh air to start acclimating to the time difference, so we said no museums! Driving near the coast was appealing, so we decided on the lovely town of Massa Marittima, in the Maremma area of Tuscany. They commented:

The stop at Massa Marittima was perfect after a long flight. It was a charming spot with enough to look at. A refreshing drink on the piazza kept us going.

This southwestern area of Tuscany has few tourists, making it a great area to explore for anyone wanting to experience a quieter Tuscany. Wine lovers should do a tour and wine tasting of the famous Sassicaia wine, produced only in this area. Beach lovers will find beautiful sandy beaches all along this coast. Anyone interested in Etruscan history should add on a few days to explore. One of my favorite hotels in Italy, Il Pellicano, is a wonderful luxury getaway in this area. For anyone wanting to visit Tuscany and Umbria in 10 days, the Maremma is a lovely first stop.

Town of Massa Marittima. Photo credit: Aarsby

Lucca, Tuscany

They checked into a countryside B&B halfway between the towns of Lucca and Pistoia and went to a nearby wine bar for dinner. Over the next few days, they visited the town of Lucca, did a cooking class, and went on a hike. The photo below was taken during the hike, which was near Pistoia and included both a medieval bridge and a suspension bridge.

Suspension bridge on the hike. Photo credit: Aarsby-Edwards

Anyone traveling to this area for the first time could also include a visit to the famous town – and its Leaning Tower – of Pisa, just 30 minutes away. Beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean coast are not far. And, the famous Cinque Terre are just an hour’s train ride away.

Florence, Tuscany

This couple did not go to Florence on this trip as they’d been there before. But any traveler who wants to visit Tuscany and Umbria in 10 days should include at least two days in Florence. We recommend visiting the Uffizi Gallery, of course. Don’t miss the iconic Cathedral with its famous dome by Brunelleschi, although note: visitors who want to climb the dome are now restricted to 2,000 per day. Tickets do sell out and should be purchased in advance. We also recommend doing a walking tour with a private guide to get a sense of Florence’s central role in the Italian Renaissance. And finally, the gorgeous town of Siena can be visited as a day trip from Florence.