Why so many villages and what makes them so special? During the Middle Ages and then the renaissance, Tuscany organised into independent municipalities. Siena and Florence were the strongest local powers, and many villages were born or grew as strongholds to protect one from the attack of the other.
This is the reason why so many are fortified, hilltop walled small communities, making them stunning, with beautiful panoramic views over the valleys in their areas. The villages/small towns are unspoilt and maintain their urban historical glory with their narrow streets meandering with the contour of the hill sides.
I admire the aging residents, as daily they carelessly walk the steep gradients to get to the piazza and amenities. How fit they stay. Often, I take note that they do this on a daily and sometime twice daily basis, stopping on the way to chat to their friends and acquaintances, have a coffee at the local bar and to pick up groceries and necessities.
The locals come out at night to sit, on what looks like claimed benches, within friendship groups to chat the evening away. This is called the passeggiata (early evening stroll) a wonderful tradition that sees Tuscans in towns walk to a get a gelato (a chat), meet friends, contemplate the sunset and quite simply, relish the ‘close of the day’ at an exceedingly relaxed pace. Unlike in the UK, as we feel it necessary to do this only over a beer or two, the Tuscan locals don’t, they just simply chat and occasionally have an espresso at the bar.
Also, it is a delight to see the local children, of all ages, come out in numbers bringing their bikes, scooters, footballs, and toys to joyfully play together in the streets. They seem so free whilst playing their games seamlessly and beautifully together.
Travel adventures 