Tuscany, is in many ways the typical Italy etched into the imagination of generations of Britons since before the renaissance, perfectly preserved hill towns, fabulous art, the most beautiful countryside that inspired renaissance artists and romantic poets, a coast comprising pristine beaches to rugged hills, great cities including Florence, and Siena, one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe, a world-class cuisine, the original caffe culture, and friendly people.
Tuscany is exceptional in part because of restrictions that have been placed on development. New buildings are allowed only on the outskirts of certain towns. Very few new buildings are allowed in the countryside. Farmhouses can be remodeled or rebuilt on their exact original footprint and must be built in the original style. Because of these development restrictions, many vacation rentals are remodeled barns or other farm out-buildings.
The style of farming in Tuscany also makes the countryside beautiful. Farms are mostly owned by families, not corporations. Frequently they grow many different types of crops. In the Chianti region the hills are laid out like a beautiful quilt: straight rows of dark green grapes vines here, a misty green olive grove splashed with bright red poppies there, a lush forest in-between, all of it topped with a perfect blue sky. Off in the distance a town sitting at the crest of a hill. That is the color palette in June, it changes through the seasons.