Tuscany in August

With its captivating culture, rich art scene and compelling historic legacies, not to mention its breathtaking panoramic scenery, Tuscany should be on every traveller’s bucket list. While there is plenty to see and do all year round in this stunning region of Italy, the month of August can be a particularly great time to experience Tuscany.

Naturally the large cities such as Florence and Pisa are hot in August, but the rural regions and the hillside towns are often considerably more tolerable.

While many Tuscan families go on holiday to coastal resorts in August, the restaurants, shops, bars and attractions are open as usual. In fact some of the larger cities can often be quieter than normal, making August a good time to experience the likes of Florence, Siena, Pisa and Lucca.

A month of festivals

Many festivals, large and small, are held in August in Italy. One of the biggest annual events is on August 15, the day of the nation’s Ferragosto (Assumption Day). This national holiday is celebrated across the whole of Italy and while many of the shops and businesses are closed, there are plenty of celebrations taking place on the streets, including food, music and fireworks.

The Volterra is another great festival that takes place in August in Tuscany. This medieval fair is awash with medieval costumes, activities, food, drink, with plenty to do for all the family. The fair is held for one week, starting on the third Sunday of August.

It stands to reason that this incredibly fulfilling part of Italy should be visited at least once in a lifetime, so why not make it August?