Travel to Tuscany

What have you researched so far? Have you read a good guidebook to see what various towns have to offer? What does “immersing yourselves in culture” mean to you and how long will you stay? What are you doing before and after Tuscany?

Sorry to pepper you with questions, but how many nights? Will you have a car? What are you interested in? What time of year? Apartment or hotel? Different ideas for a town for you depend on knowing more about what you want.

Florence is special and has the feel of a smaller city than it is.
If you want something smaller, consider Siena.

I would take a look at Siena or Lucca. Both are good sized towns with good connections, but not as busy as Florence. Siena is a more typical hill town, and more in the heart of what people think of as Tuscany while Lucca is a charming walled town, flat streets, easier to get around. Both have plenty of accommodations and excellent restaurants.

Certainly! If you're looking for a charming small town, Lucca is a wonderful option. It's flat and easy to walk around, with beautiful historic walls and a lovely atmosphere. It can serve as a great base for exploring the surrounding areas.

For a more authentic and less touristy experience, consider visiting the Mugello region. You could stay in Borgo San Lorenzo, which is the main town in the area. This region offers a genuine taste of local culture and beautiful countryside to immerse yourself in. Enjoy your trip!

We spent a week in Montepulciano after lots of research, and weren't disappointed. If you have a car, you'll have plenty of opportunity to do half-day and day trips, plus just cruise the Val d'Orcia. We got an apartment up near the piazza in Montepulciano and loved, loved the whole experience.

We spent two weeks in Montepulciano and a week in Lucignano and both are enchanting and beautiful but no American tourist especially if not fluent in Italian is going to be immersing themselves in local culture if by that you mean being welcomed by locals into their social lives. You may end up with a favorite cafe and a baristo who recognizes and greets you.