Chianti - Toskana

Climate and landscapes of Tuscany

Mild climate of Tuscany makes it very charming and especially in the coastal zone. The average temperature of Versilia region in summer is +24,5°C, and +9,4°C in winter. The thing is that Tuscan coast keeps the warmth of the African wind sirocco with the help of chains of mountains which protect Tuscany from the Northern and Eastern winds. Only in winter strong and gusty wind tramontana brings cold weather and more frequent rains. Rainy weather is typical for Florence in October. The rains are not so heavy already in the mid-November but continue to January, the coldest month when the temperature gets lower to +7°C. In summer Florence is conquered by the heat with daytime temperature of above 30°C in July and August. It is not so hot in May, June and September. When you travel to Florence in May you can enjoy the palette of reddish poppy and yellow bright rape fields. In autumn parti-colored vineyards and eternally green cypresses plate out with the variety of colors among grey and brown fields.

The landscapes of Tuscany are very different and are always splendid. The coast part between Livorno and Piombino is very high and rocky which attracts not only beach lovers but also surfers and divers. The coast to the North and South is plain and sandy. The coastal zone consists mostly of pine forests which make healthy air even better.

Famous Tuscan hills occupy two thirds of the territory. The smoothness of their lines is emphasized by elegant cypresses and graceful Italian pines. The most famous landscapes of hilled relief are given by the valley Chianti which is known for its wonderful wine. The province of Lucca gives us hills mostly covered with olive groves.

The plain makes less than one tenth of Tuscany. It is mostly fertile and densely settled valley of the river Arno. Though if to move to the South of Siena one can get to the peculiar desert. Crete is the name of the striking landscape of rifts and ravines emerged after the erosion of the clay soil.

Majestic and not very high mountains make the rest of the Tuscan area. Tuscan Emilian Apennines is the main mountain chain. Some of the settlements on the hills of the Apennines receive the amateurs of ski sport. Apuan Alps are known not only for being very high but also for their fine Carrara marble which provided the opportunity for Italian sculptures and architects to incarnate the most splendid ideas. More over some Tuscan mountains are the places of the resorts with curable thermal and mineral waters.

The islands of Tuscan archipelago have very peculiar landscapes.

Photo: pixelio.de