Tuscany – The Rolling Hills of Dolce Vita

Tuscany ready plans

Getting around

A compact car is best to hop between picturesque towns in the countryside. Our personal favorite is the timeless Italian classic – Fiat 500 Cabrio. You can also rent a Vespa scooter for a few days to fully experience the rolling hills of Tuscany. You can mostly walk between sights in Florence, so no need in renting a car right away.

Language

The official language in Tuscany, as in the rest of Italy, is Italian. However, in popular tourist destinations like Florence, Pisa, Siena, and Lucca, many locals in the tourism industry speak English, and menus and signs often have English translations. In smaller towns and rural areas, such as remote villages in Chianti or Val d’Orcia, English is less commonly spoken. Basic Italian will be helpful when interacting with locals, especially in smaller trattorias, markets, and shops. Major transportation hubs like Florence and Pisa have English signage and announcements. However, in smaller towns or rural bus stops, signage may only be in Italian, so a basic understanding of Italian can be useful. While you’ll be fine with English in tourist-heavy areas, learning a few Italian phrases will improve your experience, particularly in more rural or off-the-beaten-path areas of Tuscany.

Safety

Tuscany is far from Italy's big cities so it's very safe for all types of travelers. Exercise caution in crowded areas of Florence.