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Tuscan Treasures: Food & Views
Embarking on a journey through Tuscany is akin to stepping into a living masterpiece, where every corner has the potential to reveal a blend of historical grandeur, breathtaking landscapes and culinary delights. Please allow me to navigate you through the treasures of Tuscany, ensuring an experience that tantalizes both the eyes and the palate.
Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.
Pisa: The Leaning Tower and Beyond
Many Tuscan adventures (especially if you’re visiting by way of a cruise) commence in the historic city of Pisa, which is home to the world-renowned Leaning Tower of Pisa. This architectural marvel, with its unintended tilt, stands as a testament to medieval engineering and resilience. Plus, climbing its spiraling steps rewards you with panoramic views of the city and the verdant Tuscan countryside beyond. Adjacent to the tower lies the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the Pisa Baptistery of St. John as well as Camposanto cemetery.
Cathedral Santa Maria Del Fiore.
Florence: The Cradle of the Renaissance
A short journey from Pisa brings you to Florence, a city that breathes art and history. Begin at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Its iconic dome dominates the skyline and offers an opportunity for visitors to climb to its summit for a breathtaking vista of the city. Art enthusiasts will find solace in the Uffizi Gallery, home to an unparalleled collection of Renaissance masterpieces by artists such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. And the Galleria dell’Accademia offers a replica of Michelangelo’s David. For a memorable conclusion to your Florentine journey, ascend to Piazzale Michelangelo which provides a sweeping panorama of Florence. (Pro-tip: Visit at sunset for jaw-dropping view of the city’s terracotta rooftops while they are bathed in a golden hue.)
Florence: The Cradle of the Renaissance
A short journey from Pisa brings you to Florence, a city that breathes art and history. Begin at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Its iconic dome dominates the skyline and offers an opportunity for visitors to climb to its summit for a breathtaking vista of the city. Art enthusiasts will find solace in the Uffizi Gallery, home to an unparalleled collection of Renaissance masterpieces by artists such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. And the Galleria dell’Accademia offers a replica of Michelangelo’s David. For a memorable conclusion to your Florentine journey, ascend to Piazzale Michelangelo which provides a sweeping panorama of Florence. (Pro-tip: Visit at sunset for jaw-dropping view of the city’s terracotta rooftops while they are bathed in a golden hue.)
Cathedral Santa Maria Del Fiore.
View of Montalcino town in Tuscany.
Tuscany’s Scenic Landscapes and Wineries
Venturing beyond the cities, Tuscany’s countryside unfolds with rolling hills, cypress-lined avenues and vineyards that stretch to the horizon. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Val d’Orcia offers views and landscapes which have inspired countless artists. Picturesque towns, such as Pienza and Montalcino, also offer stunning panoramic views.
Wine aficionados will find themselves at home in Tuscany’s vineyards. The Chianti region, nestled between Florence and Siena, is renowned for its robust red wines. A visit to Castello di Verrazzano in Greve in Chianti offers wine tastings and a deep dive into the rich history of the region’s winemaking. Further south, near Montalcino, Poggio Antico winery stands out. This winery is celebrated for its exquisite Brunello di Montalcino and provides tours which culminate in tastings against the backdrop of rolling vineyards and olive orchards.
Try traditional or updated Italian favorites.
Culinary Delights: Dining in Tuscany
Tuscany offers a rich tapestry of culinary experiences, each region adding its own distinctive flavor. On the western coast, Livorno is known for its maritime heritage and bold seafood dishes rooted in centuries-old traditions. Inland, the historic city of Florence is celebrated not only for its Renaissance art and architecture, but also for its refined approach to Tuscan cuisine, emphasizing high-quality local ingredients and time-honored cooking techniques. Here’s a sample of local restaurants which are regionally authentic:
- Ristorante Il Molo: Situated in Livorno near the cruise port, this seafood restaurant offers fresh catches prepared with traditional recipes as well as a variety of specialty dishes that showcase the region’s culinary heritage - all while providing stunning seaside views. The restaurant is also renowned for its “Cacciucco del Molo,” a traditional Livornese fish stew.
- Osteria Pastella: As one of my personal favorite restaurants in Florence, Osteria Pastella offers diners an exceptional culinary experience. A standout specialty is their Truffle Tagliatelle, where freshly made pasta and Grana Padano cheese are flambéed tableside in a Grana Padano cheese wheel, then infused with truffle oil. The restaurant also offers a variety of other dishes, including fresh fish and meat options, all prepared with high-quality ingredients.
- Il Barretto: Located in the heart of Florence, this restaurant provides a diverse Italian menu, ensuring an authentically Italian dining experience. The restaurant specializes in traditional Tuscan and Italian cuisine, with standout dishes such as: Tagliolini with Lobster, Florentine Ossobuco and the classic Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
Culinary Delights: Dining in Tuscany
Tuscany offers a rich tapestry of culinary experiences, each region adding its own distinctive flavor. On the western coast, Livorno is known for its maritime heritage and bold seafood dishes rooted in centuries-old traditions. Inland, the historic city of Florence is celebrated not only for its Renaissance art and architecture, but also for its refined approach to Tuscan cuisine, emphasizing high-quality local ingredients and time-honored cooking techniques. Here’s a sample of local restaurants which are regionally authentic:
- Ristorante Il Molo: Situated in Livorno near the cruise port, this seafood restaurant offers fresh catches prepared with traditional recipes as well as a variety of specialty dishes that showcase the region’s culinary heritage - all while providing stunning seaside views. The restaurant is also renowned for its “Cacciucco del Molo,” a traditional Livornese fish stew.
- Osteria Pastella: As one of my personal favorite restaurants in Florence, Osteria Pastella offers diners an exceptional culinary experience. A standout specialty is their Truffle Tagliatelle, where freshly made pasta and Grana Padano cheese are flambéed tableside in a Grana Padano cheese wheel, then infused with truffle oil. The restaurant also offers a variety of other dishes, including fresh fish and meat options, all prepared with high-quality ingredients.
- Il Barretto: Located in the heart of Florence, this restaurant provides a diverse Italian menu, ensuring an authentically Italian dining experience. The restaurant specializes in traditional Tuscan and Italian cuisine, with standout dishes such as: Tagliolini with Lobster, Florentine Ossobuco and the classic Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
Try traditional or updated Italian favorites.
To explore Vacation Packages to Italy click here.
Sign Up for Costco.ca Emails
If you are interested in great deals Costco Travel has to offer, click here - Opens a dialog to sign up to receive emails. This will ensure that Travel and Costco.ca values are sent directly to your inbox.
Once You Are Ready to Travel, Costco Travel Can Help
We invite you to take some time to browse around and dream of your next vacation, rental car, or cruise, whether you’re booking for next month or toward the end of next year.
Embarking on a journey through Tuscany is akin to stepping into a living masterpiece, where every corner has the potential to reveal a blend of historical grandeur, breathtaking landscapes and culinary delights. Please allow me to navigate you through the treasures of Tuscany, ensuring an experience that tantalizes both the eyes and the palate.
Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.
Pisa: The Leaning Tower and Beyond
Many Tuscan adventures (especially if you’re visiting by way of a cruise) commence in the historic city of Pisa, which is home to the world-renowned Leaning Tower of Pisa. This architectural marvel, with its unintended tilt, stands as a testament to medieval engineering and resilience. Plus, climbing its spiraling steps rewards you with panoramic views of the city and the verdant Tuscan countryside beyond. Adjacent to the tower lies the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the Pisa Baptistery of St. John as well as Camposanto cemetery.
Cathedral Santa Maria Del Fiore.
Florence: The Cradle of the Renaissance
A short journey from Pisa brings you to Florence, a city that breathes art and history. Begin at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Its iconic dome dominates the skyline and offers an opportunity for visitors to climb to its summit for a breathtaking vista of the city. Art enthusiasts will find solace in the Uffizi Gallery, home to an unparalleled collection of Renaissance masterpieces by artists such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. And the Galleria dell’Accademia offers a replica of Michelangelo’s David. For a memorable conclusion to your Florentine journey, ascend to Piazzale Michelangelo which provides a sweeping panorama of Florence. (Pro-tip: Visit at sunset for jaw-dropping view of the city’s terracotta rooftops while they are bathed in a golden hue.)
Florence: The Cradle of the Renaissance
A short journey from Pisa brings you to Florence, a city that breathes art and history. Begin at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Its iconic dome dominates the skyline and offers an opportunity for visitors to climb to its summit for a breathtaking vista of the city. Art enthusiasts will find solace in the Uffizi Gallery, home to an unparalleled collection of Renaissance masterpieces by artists such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. And the Galleria dell’Accademia offers a replica of Michelangelo’s David. For a memorable conclusion to your Florentine journey, ascend to Piazzale Michelangelo which provides a sweeping panorama of Florence. (Pro-tip: Visit at sunset for jaw-dropping view of the city’s terracotta rooftops while they are bathed in a golden hue.)
Cathedral Santa Maria Del Fiore.
View of Montalcino town in Tuscany.
Tuscany’s Scenic Landscapes and Wineries
Venturing beyond the cities, Tuscany’s countryside unfolds with rolling hills, cypress-lined avenues and vineyards that stretch to the horizon. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Val d’Orcia offers views and landscapes which have inspired countless artists. Picturesque towns, such as Pienza and Montalcino, also offer stunning panoramic views.
Wine aficionados will find themselves at home in Tuscany’s vineyards. The Chianti region, nestled between Florence and Siena, is renowned for its robust red wines. A visit to Castello di Verrazzano in Greve in Chianti offers wine tastings and a deep dive into the rich history of the region’s winemaking. Further south, near Montalcino, Poggio Antico winery stands out. This winery is celebrated for its exquisite Brunello di Montalcino and provides tours which culminate in tastings against the backdrop of rolling vineyards and olive orchards.
Try traditional or updated Italian favorites.
Culinary Delights: Dining in Tuscany
Tuscany offers a rich tapestry of culinary experiences, each region adding its own distinctive flavor. On the western coast, Livorno is known for its maritime heritage and bold seafood dishes rooted in centuries-old traditions. Inland, the historic city of Florence is celebrated not only for its Renaissance art and architecture, but also for its refined approach to Tuscan cuisine, emphasizing high-quality local ingredients and time-honored cooking techniques. Here’s a sample of local restaurants which are regionally authentic:
- Ristorante Il Molo: Situated in Livorno near the cruise port, this seafood restaurant offers fresh catches prepared with traditional recipes as well as a variety of specialty dishes that showcase the region’s culinary heritage - all while providing stunning seaside views. The restaurant is also renowned for its “Cacciucco del Molo,” a traditional Livornese fish stew.
- Osteria Pastella: As one of my personal favorite restaurants in Florence, Osteria Pastella offers diners an exceptional culinary experience. A standout specialty is their Truffle Tagliatelle, where freshly made pasta and Grana Padano cheese are flambéed tableside in a Grana Padano cheese wheel, then infused with truffle oil. The restaurant also offers a variety of other dishes, including fresh fish and meat options, all prepared with high-quality ingredients.
- Il Barretto: Located in the heart of Florence, this restaurant provides a diverse Italian menu, ensuring an authentically Italian dining experience. The restaurant specializes in traditional Tuscan and Italian cuisine, with standout dishes such as: Tagliolini with Lobster, Florentine Ossobuco and the classic Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
Culinary Delights: Dining in Tuscany
Tuscany offers a rich tapestry of culinary experiences, each region adding its own distinctive flavor. On the western coast, Livorno is known for its maritime heritage and bold seafood dishes rooted in centuries-old traditions. Inland, the historic city of Florence is celebrated not only for its Renaissance art and architecture, but also for its refined approach to Tuscan cuisine, emphasizing high-quality local ingredients and time-honored cooking techniques. Here’s a sample of local restaurants which are regionally authentic:
- Ristorante Il Molo: Situated in Livorno near the cruise port, this seafood restaurant offers fresh catches prepared with traditional recipes as well as a variety of specialty dishes that showcase the region’s culinary heritage - all while providing stunning seaside views. The restaurant is also renowned for its “Cacciucco del Molo,” a traditional Livornese fish stew.
- Osteria Pastella: As one of my personal favorite restaurants in Florence, Osteria Pastella offers diners an exceptional culinary experience. A standout specialty is their Truffle Tagliatelle, where freshly made pasta and Grana Padano cheese are flambéed tableside in a Grana Padano cheese wheel, then infused with truffle oil. The restaurant also offers a variety of other dishes, including fresh fish and meat options, all prepared with high-quality ingredients.
- Il Barretto: Located in the heart of Florence, this restaurant provides a diverse Italian menu, ensuring an authentically Italian dining experience. The restaurant specializes in traditional Tuscan and Italian cuisine, with standout dishes such as: Tagliolini with Lobster, Florentine Ossobuco and the classic Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
Try traditional or updated Italian favorites.
To explore Vacation Packages to Italy click here.
Sign Up for Costco.ca Emails
If you are interested in great deals Costco Travel has to offer, click here - Opens a dialog to sign up to receive emails. This will ensure that Travel and Costco.ca values are sent directly to your inbox.
Once You Are Ready to Travel, Costco Travel Can Help
We invite you to take some time to browse around and dream of your next vacation, rental car, or cruise, whether you’re booking for next month or toward the end of next year.
About the Author: The above piece was written by Jason Gordon, a guest travel blogger, and Costco enthusiast.
