What dreary weather! 5 things to do in Tuscany when it rains

If your first destination is a museum, reservations are not always required, but buying your ticket online allows you to avoid queues at the entrance. 
In Florence, the Uffizi Gallery, Galileo Museum and Palazzo Strozzi offer a journey through time among Renaissance masterpieces and temporary exhibitions. 
In Siena, Santa Maria della Scala surprises with underground routes and archaeological collections, while in Pisa the Historical Ships Museum regales with fascinating stories of routes and trade. 
In Lucca, it is worth visiting the Villa Guinigi National Museum or that of Palazzo Mansi, custodians of art, historical furnishings and evocations of times past.
In Prato, be immersed in contemporary art at the Luigi Pecci Center, while in Grosseto the MAAM (Museum of Archaeology and Art of Maremma) traces the history of the Maremma area from prehistory through the rise of Etruscan cities to the Roman conquest, the Middle Ages and finally the modern age, through archaeological and art documentation.
If you are heading to Pistoia, Arezzo or the Apuan Riviera, you can choose from interesting proposals such as the Museum of 20ᵗʰ Century and Contemporary Art in Pistoia, Casa Vasari in Arezzo or MudaC (Museum of the Arts in Carrara).

Between visits, a stop at a historic café is the perfect way to warm up and take a break in style.
In Florence, there are a number of options for spending unforgettable moments in places that have hosted great intellectuals of the past. Then, if you are in Livorno and are in the mood for something more assertive, you can try ponce livornese, an alcoholic beverage made with coffee and rum that is great on cold, rainy days. 

Yet, there’s more. Wet weather presents the perfect opportunity to enjoy a little shopping. 
Strolling under the arcades or entering historic stores, discover the best of Tuscan craftsmanship while keeping dry surrounded by beauty. 
In Montelupo Fiorentino, home of ceramics, many workshops display unique pieces and even offer classes to try your hand at clay. In Volterra, alabaster—a noble material carved by generations of artisans—is worked. In Siena, rather, you can dilly-dally between elegance and creativity in the many stores in the center. Jewelry, perfumes, exquisite paper and porcelain await you in Florence, along with all the leather goods, of course!

Thermal springs are always a good option but when the rain falls outside and the landscape is tinged with a muffled stillness, soaking in the warm, soothing waters of the hot springs becomes a true pleasure for mind and body.
In Maremma, the Terme di Saturnia welcomes with indoor pools, spas and rejuvenating treatments within an elegant complex, while not far away, in Sorano, the historic Friars’ pool carved into the rock provides an intimate and cozy atmosphere.
In the Val d’Orcia, from Bagno Vignoni to San Casciano dei Bagni, resorts and spas such as Fonteverde allow you to relax in warm waters and salt caves overlooking extraordinary views.
And for those seeking the charms of history, the Terme di Montecatini and the spectacular Grotta Giusti in Monsummano Terme offer unique experiences amid Belle Époque atmospheres and natural vapors that regenerate the spirit.

After all these adventures comes the perfect time to watch a show that you can choose by browsing through the “Events” section of the website. 
Tuscany is rich in splendid concert halls and theaters whose schedules are full of events for all tastes, featuring the best Italian and international artists.

The journey has come to an end. Sure, without the rain, your trip would have been different. Perhaps you had another itinerary in mind, but the bad weather guided you to unexpected discoveries: less crowded museums, new flavors, artisan workshops and atmospheres you would not have otherwise experienced.
And that is what makes each discovery special.