Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa (Torre Pendente) is a famous world landmark. Designed by Bonnano Pisano, this eight-story tower is a magnificent example of Romanesque architecture. The Cathedral is located next to the Tower and we recommend a horse drawn carriage around the old City.
Volterra
Visit the Tuscan village of Volterra, and its Piazza di Priori, a palace designed by Maestro Riccardo. See the house-towers, such as Buonaguidi and Buonpuresti, which are connected by a brick archway. You'll also enjoy the village's Renaissance cathedrals, Roman Theater and acropolis.
Fiesole
Visitors in search of those 'cool uplands' should head for the lush olive groves and valleys of Fiesole. Situated eight kilometres from Florence. Formerly an Etruscan settlement founded in the seventh century BC, Fiesole grew in importance under the Romans who left behind a 3000-seat amphitheatre that is still used for outdoors concerts in the summer.
The Archaeological Park also features Roman baths, a Roman temple and an Etruscan temple, set against Etruscan city walls. In the town, it is difficult for any man-made attraction to compete with the glorious views over Florence.
Siena
Medieval Siena is often seen as the female counterfoil to Renaissance Florence. At her heart lies the magnificent shell-like piazza, Il Campo, scene of the famous bareback horse race, Il Palio, which whips the town into a frenzy twice a year. One day is not long enough to appreciate all that the tiny walled city has to offer.
Must-sees include the humbug-striped Cathedral decried by Ruskin as 'a piece of costly confectionery' and the majestic Palazzo Pubblico (town hall) topped by the soaring Torre del Mangia. Named after the medieval bell-ringer, the tower should be climbed for magnificent views of the city and hills.
Lucca
Lucca, is a small city still surrounded by its original defensive walls; one of Europe's finest and most beautiful circuits of defensive walls came to being as Lucca lies near the sea and is protected on three sides by mountains, hence allowing access to Italy's second largest agricultural plain to be controlled.
In the center of town an ancient Roman racetrack has evolved into the main market square, right next to the cathedral and a visit to the Palazzo Ducale, where Maria Luisa of Borbone and Elisa Bonaparte lived (rumors say that Napoleon slept here too) is well worth it.
Arezzo
In Arezzo you will see traces of different civilizations and traditions: the Etruscans, the roman and the medieval. Petrarca, Piero della Francesca, Luca Signorelli, Giorgio Vasari were all born here. In Arezzo you can see Piero della Francesca's famous fresco cycle depicting the Legend of the Cross. These are the frescoes that Juliette Binoche gets to look at while dangling from a rope in the movie "The English Patient."
A visit to this part of the region allows you to discover, besides the artistic, architecture and religious beauty, the little medieval villages located in this area.
If you hire a car you can follow the wine route: for about 200 km through various wine growing areas: Chianti DOCG, Chianti Colli Aretini DOCG, Colli Etruria Centrale DOC, Valdichiana DOC and Cortona DOC as well as Vin Santo. You will see vineyards, olive groves, tobacco plantations, chestnut trees and for.
Mugello
Mugello is a wonderful valley filled with green, situated to the north of Florence. This land has always fascinated visitors for its natural characteristics and beautiful villages. There are nine districts in Mugello: Barberino del Mugello, Borgo San Lorenzo, Firenzuola, Marradi, Palazzuolo sul Senio, San Piero a Sieve, Scarperia, Vaglia and Vicchio.
Visit Medicean residences, museums or the great number of churches and pievi which cover the land, taste the delicious typical dishes of gastronomy in Mugello and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of this land!
Verrazzano
Castello di Verrazzano can be reached after a delightful one-hour journey travelling along the picturesque wine road, and on arrival, its silhouette can be seen in all its ancient grandeur on the horizon, lined at regular intervals by the characteristic cypresses that create the road that leads you into one of the most famous and typical wineries in the whole of Tuscany.
& so much more...............
