When most people envision a trip to Tuscany, they imagine beautiful sunny days and slow, romantic sunsets. Unfortunately rain can somewhat damper a trip but not to worry, there are plenty of fun, exciting activities that will take your mind off the weather.

Here are our 3 top things to do when it rains in Tuscany. 

1. Find your inner art critic: Visit a Museum!

Find your inner art critic and visit one of the many interesting museums in Tuscany. In our corner of the Mugello Valley, there are many wonderful museums and historical houses to visit including the Casa natale di Giotto – Giotto’s Birthplace, Museo di arte sacra e religiosità popolare – Museum of Sacred Art and Popular Devoutness {both in Vicchio}, Museo delle genti di montagna – Museum of the mountain folk { Palazzuolo sul Senio}, Museo del paesaggio storico dell’Appennino – Museum of the historical landscape of the Appenines {Firenzuola}.

2.  Indulge in your sweet tooth!

One way to cure rainy day blues is to find some local really good pasticceria shops that will delight your need for sweets. Tuscany makes some of the best desserts {obviously we are biased} so try a ciambella, the classic biscotti with mandorle, an elborate chocolate cake, schiacciata fiorentina, frittelle and why not order a classic espresso coffee to go with your dessert. You can thank us later.

• Pasticceria Cesarino: Piazza Martiri della Libertà 7, Borgo San Lorenzo, Italia

3. Discover the joys of olive oil with a tasting or tour

Olive oil is life to us in Italy and no one knows this better than us at Villa Campestri Olive Oil resort, this is our livelihood and we adore any chance to share our passion for this product with you. Why not book an olive oil tasting to awaken your senses? We can show you the difference between what makes olive oil great from the many choices out there. Find out more info here, and we look forward to sharing this experience with you.

What to do in Siena in the rain

Imagine leaving for Siena for a tourist trip but suddenly it starts to rain.

Don’t worry, there are lots of interesting outdoor activities to do, just bring an umbrella, boots and leave for one of the main and most beautiful Tuscan cities.

Siena hosts every year many tourists coming not only from all over Italy but also foreigners.

Famous for the Palio and the wonderful historical events, it is very interesting to visit even in bad weather. The first thing that comes to mind is visiting museums such as Duccio’s Maestà in the Opa Museum.

Then you can go to the Palazzo Pubblico where the famous frescoes by Lorenzetti are located.

Opposite the Cathedral, the Santa Maria della Scala Museum is worth a visit, where you can admire the marvelous frescoes in the Pellegrinaio hall.

Before becoming a museum, the Santa Maria was the ancient hospital of Siena, which remained a hospital until the 1990s. The Pinacoteca di Siena is a concentration of Sienese art, even if it is not well known it is still a very prestigious destination.

If you have an appetite, the Sapordivino Wine & Bar is a must, it is located inside the Hotel Continental in Banchi di Sopra but is also open to outsiders.

Four places not to be missed on a gloomy day

The Palazzo Publico is a structure dating back to the period between the end of the thirteenth century and the beginning of the fourteenth century.

It is located in Piazza del Campo, one of the best known structures in Siena. Next to this structure is the elegant Torre del Mangia.

In addition to being the seat of the municipal administration, it also houses the Civic Museum. This museum is located throughout the first floor of the building, then there are some rooms on the second and third floors.

Among the rooms to visit there is that of the Renaissance and the Sala del Mappamondo with the wonderful frescoes by Simone Martini. A marvel of Siena that you must not miss is the Duomo.

Majestic and imposing, it was built between about 1220 and 1370, inside it is full of frescoes, chapels and paintings that will leave you breathless. Its facade is divided into two parts: the first was built in the thirteenth century by the sculptor Giovanni Pisano, the lower part was built in the early fourteenth century and is the work of Camaino di Crescentino. The dome and its bell tower stand out for their grandeur and particular beauty.

Inside, the Cathedral is divided into three naves and the plan in different bays with cross vaults on all the naves. What amazes is certainly the ceiling which depicts a beautiful starry sky, literally breathtaking.

The Pinacoteca Nazionale develops inside two historic buildings: Palazzo Brigidi and Palazzo Buonsignori. The itinerary to visit will show you Sienese artistic works over the centuries. On the first floor you will find works from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. On the second floor, the 14th and 15th centuries and on the top floor, i.e. the third, the contemporary works of art.