Amidst pine trees and palazzi

RIEDEL Magazine, Issue 02 Summer 2025 | Text: Stephanie Geiger | Reading time: 6 minutes

With a population of almost 400,000, Florence is the beating heart of Tuscany and its cultural centre. During the economic boom of the early modern period, the city rose to become the financial centre of Europe. With the vast wealth amassed in the 15th century by a dynasty of bankers – including the Medici family – through money-lending and the financing of wars, they acted as patrons, supporting art and science in particular, and brought about a cultural renaissance in Florence.

This article appeared in RIEDEL Magazine, Issue 02, Summer 2025. The dates, hotels, restaurants and awards mentioned are correct as at the time of publication and should be checked before travelling.

The cradle of the Renaissance

Marble bust of Leonardo da Vinci with a cap and long beard against a dark background. — A statue of Leonardo da Vinci in Florence serves as a reminder of the many years the artist spent there and the lasting impact he made.

Michelangelo (1475–1564) was patronised by the Medici family, Galileo Galilei (1564–1641) lived as a court mathematician in the Medici palaces, and Leonardo da Vinci (1696–1730) spent much of his youth in the city on the Arno. Owing to its cultural significance, Florence is regarded as the cradle of the Renaissance. To this day, the city continues to fascinate people.

An architectural gem

View over the rooftops of Florence to the red dome of the cathedral and the campanile, with the Tuscan hills behind. — Florence Cathedral was consecrated by Pope Eugene IV on 24 March 1436. The immense dome, Brunelleschi’s magnum opus, is regarded as a technical masterpiece of the early Renaissance.

The historic centre of Florence was added to the UNESCO list as early as 1982 and was one of the very first World Heritage Sites. Visitors are just as enthralled as Mark Twain once was. The American writer raved: “To watch the sun set, tinged with pink, purple and gold, Florence is flooded with colours that blur its sharp edges and transform it into a city of dreams. It is the most beautiful, enchanting and satisfying sight on our planet, for both the eye and the mind.”

Tuscany, however, is not only famous for its capital; it is Italy’s most popular holiday region. Alongside the rich art and culture of Florence, a visit to the historic centres of Pisa, San Gimignano, Siena and Pienza is also well worth it. And the culture is still very much alive today. A highlight for any art lover is the Uffizi Gallery in Florence – featuring masterpieces by Botticelli, Caravaggio, Raffaello Sanzi, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Titian and Leonardo da Vinci. Fans of Italian opera must not miss the Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago near Lucca. And on 22 and 26 July 2025, opera tenor Andrea Bocelli invites you to an open-air concert at his Teatro del Silenzio in Lajatico.

As well as the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Florence, a visit to the historic centres of Pisa, San Gimignano, Siena and Pienza is also well worth it.

Italy’s finest wines

The Leaning Tower of Pisa beside the cathedral on the Piazza dei Miracoli in the warm evening light. — A place you really ought to visit at least once in your life: the Piazza dei Miracoli with its famous landmark – the Leaning Tower of Pisa (56 m).

Tuscany also has everything to offer, both in terms of scenery and cuisine, to make a holiday both relaxing and exciting. Gentle rolling hills, avenues of cypress trees, wide sandy beaches and a long tradition of wine-growing characterise the region. First the Etruscans, and after them the Romans, recognised Tuscany’s potential and understood the secrets of fine wine.

Today, wineries with illustrious names and situated in magnificent locations produce Italy’s finest wines. Tenute Vignamaggio in Greve is one of the oldest and most renowned estates in the Chianti Classico region. The first wines produced by Cantina Antinori in San Casciano in Val di Pesa date back to 1385. Antinori’s fine wines, now produced by the 26th generation of the family, are exported all over the world.

And Rocca di Frassinello in Gavorrano, in the province of Grosseto, is the only winery in the world designed by the architect Renzo Piano. Another distinctive feature of Rocca di Frassinello is its location. The average soil temperature is 4–6°C higher than in the Chianti and Montalcino regions. As a result, the grapes ripen three to four weeks earlier.

Bottle of red wine and a glass next to pieces of pecorino, grapes and bread on a white cloth in front of a tuff stone wall. — Red wines, such as Chianti or Montalcino, paired with a tangy Pecorino cheese, are a defining feature of Tuscany’s culinary heritage.

So what could be more relaxing than sitting at a small table outside a bar in a narrow alleyway in the old town of this God-blessed region, and rounding off the day in comfort with a glass of Chianti, accompanied by delicious nibbles of ham and wild boar salami, pecorino cheese and marvellous olives?

Yet Tuscany still has so much more to offer. The best restaurant in Tuscany – even awarded three Michelin stars – is undoubtedly the Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence. Bracali in Ghirlanda has been awarded a Michelin star and is a wonderful place to sample Italy’s finest wines. A visit to Trattoria Enrico Bartolini in Castiglione is an experience in itself, if only for the drive along an avenue lined with cypresses and pine trees. All the dishes are cooked on the grill, giving them their distinctive flavour.

Narrow lane with natural stone houses, flowerpots on the walls and a staircase rising between the façades. — The old town of Pienza epitomises the beautiful, narrow, historic streets for which Tuscany is so well known.

Exclusive hotels and stylish agriturismo

As befits a region renowned for its culinary delights, Tuscany boasts numerous upmarket hotels. The Sense Resort near Grosseto, with its exclusive private beach, is a real highlight for a seaside holiday. In Viareggio, the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte captivates with its Art Nouveau architecture; what’s more, the hotel boasts the only restaurant on the Tuscan coast to hold two Michelin stars.

Also by the sea, golf enthusiasts will find the Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort an ideal holiday destination. And anyone who enjoys a round of golf mustn’t miss the course at Castiglion del Bosco, with its panoramic views of the Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO-protected landscape. Designed by Tom Weiskopf, the course is Italy’s only private golf club and is reserved exclusively for members and guests of the Rosewood Hotel. In Florence, The Place is the hotel to be. Situated in Piazza Santa Maria Novella, this historic palazzo brings history to life.

Tiered travertine pools with turquoise, steaming thermal water in green hilly countryside. — The natural warm thermal springs in Saturnia, Grosseto, promise pure relaxation.

A ‘farm holiday’ can be a particularly appealing option in Tuscany. In Italy, this is known as ‘agriturismo’. Meals usually consist of produce grown on the farm itself – authentic and down-to-earth. Charming farmhouses and small vineyards often even have a swimming pool and are perfectly equipped for a holiday.

A ‘farm holiday’ can be a special alternative in Tuscany. In Italy, this is known as ‘agriturismo’.

Conclusion

Florence and Tuscany are a dream destination for travellers who love culture, history, nature and fine dining. The rustling of the olive trees, the picturesque cypress-lined avenues and the gently rolling hills – anyone who has experienced all this will carry this special sense of poetry in their heart forever – and is sure to return.

What Tuscany and the south of Munich have in common

This article describes a landscape where cultural history, craftsmanship and pleasure converge — and where everything is rooted in its location. A vineyard in Chianti Classico is just as immovable as a long-established plot on the high banks of the Isar. Anyone familiar with both worlds knows the principle: what has been created over centuries cannot be rebuilt, only maintained.

The same standard applies to the property market in our region. Luxury properties in Munich provide an overview of the high-end market segment, whilst the villas in Munich represent the market for houses with land. The Munich market report shows how supply and prices have developed recently.

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