Tuscany is one of the regions of Italy which is best known for its beautiful towns and typical dwellings, but also for its gentle and smiling countryside in all seasons as well as for the hospitality of its inhabitants and its mild climate in winter. . The capital of Tuscany is the museum city of Florence. The whole of this territory is extremely rich in culture, history and art. As such, Tuscany has known great artists such as Dante, Leonardo da Vinci or Michelangelo and great patrons of art, the first of whom was Cosimo de Medici during the Renaissance. You will be able to discover all the marvels that Tuscany conceals by leaving with your motorhome to meet them.
Driving your motorhome on the roads of Tuscany is not much different than on the roads of France. Follow the rules and you'll be fine. Follow the traffic signs, turn on your dipped headlights during the day on the expressways and motorways, because it is mandatory. In addition, you should always have a warning triangle, a spare wheel or equivalent and a first aid kit. You will also need your driver's license, your insurance and if you rent the vehicle, you will need the rental contract in case of control. If you see the inscription "Zona traffico limitato" then you must avoid the zone which is reserved for public transport, authorities and residents. If you take the motorways, you will be subject to the toll as in France.
In Tuscany, you have the right to park in a motorhome, but not to camp on public roads. Park inside the white lines, do not get out of chairs or tables, close doors and windows and do not install chocks. Nothing prevents you from sleeping in your motorhome while respecting these rules, but if you are checked, in certain places, you risk exposing yourself to a fine. Otherwise, you will find many campsites and free or paid parking areas in the area. On the other hand, be aware that wild camping remains prohibited throughout the country.
You can go to Tuscany all year round, as the region benefits from the Mediterranean climate. Winters are often mild, but it can also snow and summers are very hot. Better to go in spring and fall. In addition, you will avoid too much tourism in summer. May and October are the best two months to visit.
If you want to visit Tuscany over two weeks in a motorhome, we advise you to start with the city of Pisa, then go to Volterra, San Gimignano, Siena, Carrara, Montalcino, Chianti, Florence and finish with Cinque Terre . Here is in detail what you can see in each of these splendid cities.
In Pisa, start with the famous leaning tower with an angle of 3.59° and dating from 1173. Continue with the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, also called the Duomo. This white marble Romanesque basilica with five naves is typical of Pisan architecture. It stands next to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and has bronze doors from the Porta di San Ranieri and houses Giovanni Pisano's pulpit. Still to be seen:the Baptistery of St. John in Pisa, the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo and the San Mattéo National Museum in a former Benedictine convent with a beautiful cloister, marvelous sculptures and paintings by masters.
In Volterra, you have to walk on foot to reach one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, which is Piazza dei Priori. You can visit the Palazzo dei Priori, the Duomo dating from 1120 and the 13th century Baptistery built on an octagonal base. Its facade is in fairly deep white and green marble. Admire the six city gates and Etruscan walls dating from the 13th to 16th centuries. Also worth seeing is the Etruscan acropolis near the Medici fortress built in 1474. You can also visit the Roman amphitheater from the 1st century as well as the remains of the baths from the 4th century.
San Giminiano is a superb city located only about fifty kilometers from Florence. It had up to 72 tower houses over 50 meters high built by noble families. Today, the city still conceals these feudal treasures dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. There are only 14 towers left, but the whole historic center is a marvel. Go to Piazza della Cisterna with the village well at its center. You can admire many 12th century palaces in a remarkable state of preservation. Also worth seeing is the cathedral and its 15th century paintings.
Siena deserves several days of visit as the city conceals things to see, to do and to taste. The major visit of the city is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. It is known around the world for its marble marquetry which has been built over six centuries which are figurative. Its exterior facade is in white and dark green marble as well as its campanile whose base is hexagonal. Golden mosaics adorn the pinnacles and represent:
The interior is unique and exceptional with marble inlays, incredible bronzes, statues, paintings by old masters, loggias, arches, warheads, etc. The interior pavement of the Duomo covers the entire floor and panels represent allegories, virtues or Sibyls. The High Altar is by Peruzzi, the stained glass windows are majestic, including the Last Supper Rose Window. In a small room, you can admire the Three Graces which are an exceptional work. Siena is still several remarkable basilicas and churches, palaces, tower houses, museums, etc.
The city of Carrara is associated with its white marble quarries and its lido of several kilometers. If you decide to visit it, also go and see its Duomo with its Pisan-influenced marble arcades and its superb rose window. You can also admire the facades of the Cybo Malaspina Palace, go to Alberica Square to see its very pretty lion fountain and the statue of Maria Beatrice d'Este.
Florence is the pearl of Tuscany and perhaps even of Italy. Take several days if you want to see the major treasures of the city. Florence is the Renaissance personified on every street corner. It is the city of the Medici and their history, also that of the great masters of Italian pictorial art. You will be able to discover many museums, the main one being the Uffizi. Also visit the Ponte Vecchio crossing the Arno and discover its period boutique houses. Go to Piazza Del Duomo and admire the facade of the Gothic cathedral and its three large bronze doors with exceptional bas-reliefs. Discover more:
Don't miss a taste of Chianti red wine, a gelatta and an evening at the Opera di Firenze.
No tour of Tuscany would be complete without a visit to Cinque Terre. These five centuries-old villages clinging to the rocks of the cliffs plunging into the sea, are made up of very colorful houses in the middle of vineyards and small fishing ports. The hiking trail is on the side of a cliff and you shouldn't be dizzy, but the trip is worth it, the place is so unique in the world and marvelous in its beauty. You can leave your motorhome in a parking lot dedicated to this purpose to go to Cinque Terre. There is still the possibility of reaching the site by sea by embarking on a boat leaving from La Spezia, Portovenere or Levanto. In summer, swimming breaks are even planned.
You will be able to see all these wonders with your motorhome. Know that there are many areas ready to welcome you as well as campsites near the high places of visit, because the Italians are also passionate about recreational vehicles.
