Tuscany Highlights Day Trip by Coach

Why does the Tower of Pisa lean?

The tower began to tilt during construction because it was built on soft, uneven ground. Builders tried to compensate as they continued upwards, which gave it a slight curve. For centuries it kept leaning, until engineers carried out a stabilisation project in the late twentieth century. Visitors often photograph the tower, but the whole square, a large lawn framed by three monumental marble buildings, is worth appreciating as an ensemble.

Travelling by coach in general

Coaches are a comfortable way to cross a region with long distances between sights, and a few general habits make any coach day easier:

• Seats towards the front and near the centre tend to be better for people who get travel sick on winding roads.
• Air conditioning can be strong, so a light jacket is useful even in summer.
• Keep a charged phone, a water bottle and a small snack in a day bag.
• Pay attention to timings, since a group depends on everyone returning on time.

Food across the region

Tuscan cooking changes from town to town, and the differences are part of the pleasure of travelling around. A rough map might read like this:

• Florence is associated with lampredotto, a tripe sandwich sold from street stalls, and with bistecca alla fiorentina.
• Pisa and Livorno are known for cecina, a thin chickpea flatbread baked in a wood oven.
• Lucca has tordelli lucchesi, meat-filled pasta served with ragù.
• Siena offers pici and the sweet panforte.
• Chianti is known for hearty soups, cured meats and strong red wine.

Seasons and crowds

Tuscany is busiest from late spring to early autumn, and its biggest names are crowded at midday in July and August. Spring and autumn are milder, and the countryside is at its most photogenic, with fresh green in April and May and warm colours in October. Winter days are short but quiet, and rain is more likely, so a compact umbrella is useful. In every season, comfortable shoes remain the single most useful item, since Tuscan towns are built on hills and paved with stone.

Dress matters in Tuscan churches and cathedrals, where covered shoulders and knees are normally requested. A light scarf in a day bag solves the problem in seconds.

Whatever the weather, a small day bag with water, a layer and a phone charger covers most needs on a long day out.