The Description, Analysis, and Research of Tuscany, Italy, as a Tourist Destination - Essay Example

Task: The Analysis, and Research of Tuscany, Italy, as a Tourist Destination Many tourists prefer to travel to fancy destinations across the world. Tuscany presents one of the best-case scenarios as far as the attraction of global tourists is concerned. It is popular as the origin of history, culture, artistic legacy, and extraordinary countryside in the entire span of Italy. Strategically located in Italy, Tuscany plays a major role concerning the promotion of the tourism sector in Italy. This essay seeks to describe, analyze, and research on the tourist potential of Tuscan City in Italy (Discover Tuscany). Brief history of Tuscany Indeed, Tuscany has a rich history dating back to 1100 B.C. when men lived in the iron and bronze error. The first Etruscans to settle brought a great deal of civilization to the area before the Romans finally brought peace and established their empire. It was during this time that Tuscany experienced renaissance. The romans also introduced new technology and all these, through inheritance, have projected Tuscany to her current popularity (Discover Tuscany). Physical description Since many tourists around the world prefer beautiful and extraordinary countryside with impressive views, Tuscany qualifies as one of the most favorable destinations in the Southern part of Europe (Howells 18). Howells states that Tuscany brings a combination of both extensive hills in the northern part of Lunigiana, to the beautiful valleys, down to the magnificent beaches of the Maremma at the coastal region (19). All these hills, valleys, and plains, wrapped up as a package, project a remarkable sight. Any outgoing tourist who likes hiking and sightseeing will find their paradise in Tuscany, as they will never have enough time to traverse all the beautiful scenery (Howells 29). Tuscan has a large geographical area spanning 8.8 square miles, most of it being mountainous. This is especially great for mountain climbers, and bike riders, who flock every year for various competitions. This clearly shows that its general view gives it a competitive advantage over other tourist destinations not forgetting the long western coastline (Howells 16). Location and Topography Tuscany is located in Italy with its capital based in Florence, a major tourist attraction with prestigious hotels. Its strategic location makes it easier for many aspiring tourist from Europe, America, Asia, and Australia to connect at the shortest time possible due to the superb infrastructure in the cities and beyond. Chains of rolling, hilly landscape, with few proportions of agricultural land, characterize the topography of Tuscany. On its western side is along coastline with small islands off the sea, providing a special enjoyment opportunity for sand bathers and vocational travelers. This unique topography provides tourists with a classical landscape that most tourists crave (Howells 13). Cultural highlights It is no doubt that Tuscany has a rich cultural heritage. When one travels to major cities like Florence and Siena, they are likely to witness this endowment of artistic heritage in such places as art galleries, churches, and museums. The main language in Tuscany is Italian, spoken by the majority of the citizens, although various local dialects like Tuscan exist. Though language diversity is good, this can pose a challenge especially in the tourism sector. Literature and music receive wide acknowledgement more so because they normally attract tourists through skilled entertainment. While some tourists visit Tuscany to learn fine arts, others come to experience the diversity and culture. Therefore, the only logical conclusion one can make is that Tuscany has strategically positioned herself culturally, for tourist attraction (Tourism and Holidays in Tuscany). Food and dining (wine) In Tuscan, most people prefer to be simple in matters concerning food. Cuisines in Tuscany include but not limited to vegetables, fresh fruits, mushrooms, Cheese, legumes, and bread. This rich menu provides tourist with the luxury of choice more so the vegetarians, although high quality beef also commands a huge number of fans. When it comes to wine, Tuscan wine, especially the Chianti, brings in several British and French tourists who claim it is the best for any wine lover. This makes Tuscany a lovely holiday destination particularly for wine lovers (Belfrage 24). Architecture, Landmarks, and building style It is evident that Tuscany is home to some of the world’s marvelous architectural masterpieces, if the paintings and the age-old buildings are anything to go by. The Etruscans and the early Romans each left a mark through their remarkable building styles. Some of the major landmarks in Tuscany include the Tower of Pisa, which many tourists cannot wait to visit every year. Other cities that have magnificent architectural layouts are Prato, Florence, and Grosseto, with unique building plans (Tourism and Holidays in Tuscany). Population and demographics With a geographical area of about 23,000 square kilometers, Tuscan is home to over 8 million people from diverse backgrounds. By May 2008, Tuscany had a population density of 161 people per square meter that was way below the national average. This was due to extremely low population density in some like Grosseto. Over 90% of the population is Italian although a significant number of Chinese immigrants flocked the region in 2008. Most of the least populated provinces concentrate more on agriculture with denser regions like Prato catering for industrial and tourism services. Since a majority of the population is Italian, some of the provinces may not provide adequate diversity in culture and ethnicity that most cultural tourists would desire to experience from a destination. This may pose a great challenge to Tuscan’s potential of tourism as a whole despite quenching the enthusiasm of certain class of tourists (Howells 28) Economics The economy of Tuscany is multifaceted in that tourism, agriculture, fashion, and industry are the main sectors that drive the economy, although tourism and agriculture take the lead. With reference to tourism, several provinces and cities in Tuscany possess great natural aesthetic properties due to the nature of the hilly landscape. This comes coupled with the pronounced pieces of architectural work that make the entire region conspicuous. The tourism industry in Tuscany has experienced a massive economic boost meaning that, indeed, Tuscany is a potentially viable tourist destination (Howells 32). Climate The climate in Tuscany is a cool temperate one with varying temperatures depending on the height above sea level, position with reference to the hills, and the distance from the water bodies. This mix of climatic aspects provides diverse satisfaction to tourists with specific climatic inclinations making Tuscany a better destination for tourists. One main concern is the climatic conditions like the winter and summer. Tuscany experiences these conditions with most European countries and therefore she cannot expect many European tourists during harsh climatic conditions (Howells 17). Works Cited Belfrage, Nicolas. The Finest Wines of Tuscany and Central Italy : a regional and village guide to the best wines and their producers. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2009. Print. Discover Tuscany. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2013. Howells, William D. Tuscan Cities: Travels through the Heart of Old Italy. New York, NY: Tauris Parke Paperbacks, 2011. Print. Tourism and holidays in Tuscany: official tourism site of Tuscany. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2013. Read More