Discover Hidden Tuscany comes to Manhattan. Felice 56, one of the representatives of Tuscan cuisine in New York, hosted the launch event of the new activities organized by the region to introduce the American public to the excellence of the region. “There is much more besides Florence that is still little known,” Francesco Tapinassi, director of Toscana Promozione Turistica, told La Voce di New York.
Three projects have been unveiled for 2025: a route linking the 17 UNESCO sites in the region; an itinerary celebrating the 550th anniversary Michelangelo’s birth and the 650th anniversary of Boccaccio’s death through the places that marked their lives and works; and a guidebook mapping out the region’s artisan craftsmen. All programs are accompanied by a long list of stops to experience local food and wine.
Regarding the UNESCO route, Tapinassi explains that it is the first that the agency is organizing in Italy and that it brings together the cultural, environmental, intangible and creative cities sectors. “It is not only about the historic centers of Florence, Siena and San Gimignano, but it also takes up the diffuse Tuscany, the small localities, the environmental sites that are very representative.” These include the Etruscan necropolis, fifteen Medici villas and the thermal baths of Montecatini.
“Women’s tourism,” on the other hand, stems from a desire to tell the story of a region attentive to female travelers. Clara Svanera, head of international relations for Toscana Promozione Turistica and coordinator of this project, explained to La Voce di New York that “The goal is to put them in touch with entrepreneurs of hospitality, museums, catering, and Tuscan craftsmanship” She added that, “We produced a manifesto based on six values that should be the basis of every trip: safety, empathy, encounter, sustainability, best practices and authenticity.”
“The U.S. market remains the most important one for for our region,” Tapinassi concluded. “We are at a stage where we need to consider its fluctuations, because we don’t know what the political turmoil will produce in terms of changing habits. But there is this great affection for our region, and we believe it’s important to that it is important to honor that with empathy in this difficult time.”
