BnB / Guesthouse Gay Tuscany

Many writers and poets of all times have tried to describe Tuscany. I would simply say that this very special part of world is a land of richly varied landscapes, united all by a characteristic sweetness. Here, in quite a small area, you will find the essence of thousands of years of man's artistic activity, often at its very best levels. But Tuscany has for centuries been a preferred destination for international tourists not only for all this, but also for its amazing pleasantness and, not least of all, for its unique capacity to make people of varied origins feel at home.

For many years these characteristics have also drawn numerous gay tourists to the area, some of whom have chosen to make this their home, and the region continues to entice many with its special allure. The Tuscan gay and lesbian community, of which the Pink Lily is a symbol, is formed by several thousand people, and comprises more than a few foreigners. Homosexuality rarely encounters open hostility here, although on occasion it may fail to be openly acknowledged.

The gay and lesbian public will find many sites of interest, even beyond Florence and the other principal cities in which the gay scene is concentrated, like Pisa, Viareggio, Lucca, Prato or Siena, described here in separate sections. From ancient Etruscan cities, like Volterra or Cortona, panoramic and rich in archaeological treasures and medieval monuments, to the numerous and enchanting medieval centres, of which San Gimignano with its soaring towers is perhaps the best example.

There are also peaceful Renaissance cities, like Montepulciano and Pienza, with their palaces and beautiful squares, Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo, and the various Medici villas located between Florence and the Montalbano hills.

All of these offer the possibility to enjoy days filled with nature and culture while savouring the local culinary traditions.

For a romantic outing, you may go to characteristic and panoramic hill-towns such as Fiesole, the green acropolis hovering over Florence, to Poppi, in Casentino near Arezzo, or to Barga, in the green Garfagnana valley, in the province of Lucca. For unspoiled natural settings, there is the island of Elba, with its woods and seascapes, and the Tyrrhenian coast, from the pine forests of the Versilia riviera to those of the Maremma, well-frequented by gays and lesbians in season. For more solitary vacations, there are the mountains beloved by gay hiking groups: from the marble Apuan Alps or the Apennine mountain range above Lucca or near Pistoia, where one can ski in winter, to the National Park of the Casentinese forests and Pratomagno, not far from Florence and Arezzo.

Most famous of all are, however, the Tuscan hills, especially those of the Chianti and the province of Siena, home to the most celebrated wines in Italy, where one may vacation on farms or go horseback riding, visit the idyllic abbey of Sant'Antimo or the gothic ruins of San Galgano with its chapel of the sword in the stone, and the abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore with its seductive frescoes by Sodoma. Finally, one can relax in the hot springs at Petriolo or Saturnia, even by night.

May you find your own road with sites and people to your liking, in surprising and romantic Tuscany.