Some say that you haven’t experienced real wine until you’ve been to Tuscany, the wine region of Italy. Tuscans have been making vino as far as back the eighth century, so they know a thing or two about grapes. There are 33 Denominazioni di origine controllata (certified labels), but you may be lucky enough to find some of the few highly rated “cult wines” in Tuscany as well. With so many types to choose from, touring this area to taste the best grapes can be quite overwhelming, so we at Must Do Travels have come up with a list of some of the best wineries to tour and activities to partake in while you’re basking in the Tuscan sun.

Wine Tours

There are endless tours to choose from, but some of the more interesting ones come with more than just a glass of vino. There are small group tours, countryside tours and even a retro-style tour that includes driving around in a vintage Fiat 500. Feeling a little romantic? Book yourself a sunset tour of the wineries. If you’re still unsure, check out some of the most popular options, including The Casa Sola Chianti Winery, Podere Il Cocco and Villa La Ripa.

Florence

Of course, you can’t talk about Tuscany without also talking about its capital, Florence. This beautiful, historic city has so much to offer, from fantastic food and wine to beautiful art and architecture, like the Piazza del Duomo, home of the third largest cathedral in the world. Fans of the Italian Renaissance will find that the city itself is like a museum!

Nature

If you’re craving time away from the vineyards, Tuscany still has plenty to offer. There are gorgeous waterfalls (such as the Fosso Bianco), caves (like the Grotte di Equi) and lakes (like the Riserva Naturale Lago di Montepulciano) for you to explore. The scenic trails make Tuscany a fantastic place to go hiking or biking as well, so If you’re ready for an adventure, just follow the trail!

As you can see, there is so much to do in Italy’s wine country. Whether you’re just there for delicious food and drink, to soak in the historical, man-made wonders or explore the all that the landscape has to offer, you will undoubtedly find yourself in heaven on earth in Tuscany. Want to start planning your trip? We recommend traveling to Tuscany between April and October to catch the best weather. Saluti!