Ditch the hotels. Stay at a bed and breakfast rather than a hotel during your Tuscany vacation. Many private homes offer an authentic Tuscan living experience that you wouldn't get otherwise. Plus, it's a nice way to meet some locals.
Gelato grand tour. Since Florence is the birthplace of gelato, it's both fun and delicious to create your own Gelato Tour by stopping at different gelaterias across the region!
Flows like water. It is internationally-renowned for its wine. You'll find exceptionally good wine served from unlabelled bottles at local restaurants. And, by visiting small, family-owned wine orchards, you can find great wine that won't hurt your pocketbook!
Good to know
The best times to visit are April through June and September/October. Tourism quiets down during these months, which means shorter lines at popular attractions.
And, the pleasant weather makes for a more enjoyable holiday. The hottest and busiest months are July and August.
Keep in mind that August serves as vacation time for Italians wishing to escape the heat of the cities in favor of rural places like, well, Tuscany.