There are places that live in people's imagination even without visiting them: we've seen them in magazines, in films or read about them in books. Tuscany, for instance, is one of them.

But what is it that makes it so special and not just a cliché?

These are the reasons I found and why you should consider it as your next destination:

• Welcoming and friendly people

Tuscany has been a top travel destination since a long time ago. Proud locals love to show people around and talk about their land and food. As if the beautiful landscape wasn’t already a valid reason to visit us, this region offers a warm welcoming. We, as Italians, love to celebrate and socialize and we’ll definitely invite you to the party!

• We cycle all year round

With a very long stretch of nice weather you can enjoy  temperatures above 20°C from the end of March to late October. Locals never stop riding their bike outside even in January, when you can still find some cold but dry sunny days.

• All sorts of landscapes

From the Alpi Apuane with their famous Marble Caves up in the North West part of the region, to a very Mediterranean coastline in the South and some rolling hills in the center of the country, Tuscany is the perfect gravel paradise, surrounded by cultivated pieces of land and lines of Cipressi. As well, forested areas such as the Casentino. Tuscany has it all. 

• A strong cycling tradition

Like we said, Tuscany is a region where cycling is really deep into the culture. The Giro has often shown our famous climbs, as well as the first part of the Tirreno-Adriatico. Not to mention one of the greatest classics: the Strade Bianche in Siena. Visiting our region with your bike will allow you to experience it like a pro, surrounded by a huge amount of beautiness and history. 

• And to even meet them…

Come to Tuscany and you will most likely get the honor of bumping into some of our Pro’s living and training here. For many years, Lucca has been the home town to almost 30 World Tour riders. With our fantastic weather and great landscape, there are countless opportunities too meet a famous face on the road. Icons such as Nibali, Visconti, Bettiol or Ulissi have grown up and became part of who they are here in Tuscany.

• The nest of European culture

History, medieval castle towns, Renaissance, Etruscans. Tuscany has lived many lives in the past centuries, and it shows. Monastic traditions, the art of ceramics, some of the most famous painters and artists in the world: Da Vinci and Boticcelli, just to mention two of them. Museums, coffee, olive oil and wine are also part of a culture that will fascinate you and enchant you.

• Natural Hot Springs

Bagno Vignoni, Bagni San Filippo or Saturnia are some of the greatest hot springs in Italy, and they are all found in Tuscany. Those are all places where you can relax and find the calm and tranquility typical of this region.

• Culinary culture

We’ve already mentioned it before, but it deserves an entire chapter: in a fast paced world, where eating has become something you do in less than 15 minutes heating a frozen chicken in a microwave, our culinary tradition is revolutionary. We still dedicate time and energy to something as simple as making fresh pasta. Simple and tasty is what you will find: very good quality products that make all the difference. If you visit San Gimignano, you can taste a great white wine: Vernaccia. And of course, when in Florence, a must: the great beef steak (la bistecca Fiorentina).

• Better than in the movies

Great scenery, warm sunset lights and relaxing atmosphere. Discovering Tuscany can mean this and much more.

You will be able to feel immersed into the slow pace of some typical old villages and without realizing it, sipping a coffee in a cafè where a famous film has taken place.

A great day outdoors riding your bike can end into a relaxing afternoon by the swimming pool. Il vero “dolce far niente” (the real sweetness of doing nothing), not just a cliché but a reality came true.