If I had to choose one part of the world to pick as my favorite region for regional purposes, I would have to say that the region of Tuscany is my very favorite of all. Tuscany is nestled in central Italy. It has been home to some of the world’s most renowned scientists, poets, writers, and saints throughout the history of the world. Tuscany, also called Toscana (in Italian) is considered to be the true point of origin of the Italian Renaissance, and it’s most famous naturals include the likes of Dante, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Galileo Galilei — basically all those guys whose names sound like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It is located on the West coast of Italy and some of the world’s best food and wine came from this region along with its famous favorite sons and daughters.
In the Toscana region are rolling hills will vineyards. The temperatures are warm and pleasant most of the year. Many films have been made which have featured this area, including “Under the Tuscan Sun,” and “My House in Umbria.” There have been many more movies filmed here. No wonder, because the land is so beautiful, the sky an aura of blue unmatched anywhere in the world! Independent film makers adore this place for its scenic qualities. There is so much to see and do, and there are many places to host outdoor picnics and to dine al fresca outside a taverna, or indoors on a chilly evening beside the fragrant fires of a clay bread oven.
Tuscan living is considered to be very healthy. Many people walk several miles a day to get from home to their places of work. They don’t have cable bundles, and manual labor in the vineyards keeps their bodies muscular and toned, while their skin remains soft in the sun due to their use of olive oil as a protective facial moisturizer. This practice has actually been carried out for many years, even for centuries, and is considered a viable answer to wrinkle reducing skin treatments pandered by highly expensive cosmetics companies. The Greeks also use olive oil on their skin, and even in their hair to keep it soft and luxurious. This regional practice is something that you might consider trying yourself, if dry skin and fine wrinkles are a problem for you, and if your hair is growing brittle and dry.
Another thing about Tuscany is that Saint Francis of Assisi is from there. Hailed as one of the greatest saints in the Church, Saint Francis was the son of a wealthy merchant who disowned his father’s fortune after a conversion experience that convinced him to sell all he had, and give the money to the poor. He began to rebuild an old deserted chapel after experiencing a vision while praying before a Saint Damiano cross, wherein he is reported to have heard the words “Francis: rebuild my Church.” He took this literally, and began building the church brick by brick with his own bare hands. Later, it turned out that the Church God wanted him to rebuild was the whole Church, not just this little one. Francis became a powerful reformer, and is now one of the most beloved saints in history.
Good article. I love Tuscany.