From Florence you can plan some wonderful weekends in the country. Or even just a day trip, since many places are within an hour and a half's distance from Florence using public transport. If you are planning an excrusion in tuscany you can now book your excursion in tuscany with us!

PISA

During the Roman époque Pisa was a prosperous sea-town, however, the barbaric invasion left the city in ruins and only when the citadel became a free town did it acquire, with the passing of time, more political and economical independence.

The XI and XII centuries were a time of splendor; in this period, the city had primary importance inside the Italian peninsula and the Mediterranean Sea thanks to its maritime business and the conquering of Sardinia, Corsica, and several Balearic Isles.

In the major tourist attraction in Pisa is of course the leaning Tower along with the Baptistery and the Camposanto, all of them built between the XI and the XII century.

More information: about Pisa, your Pisa travel guide

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 into being since Lucca lies near the sea and is protected on three sides by mountains; it was created to control and allow access to Italy's second largest agricultural plain.

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, and Giorgio Vasari were all born here. In Arezzo you can see Piero della Francesca's famous fresco cycle depicting the Legend of the Cross. The very same 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 much more.

SIENA

Siena once rivaled Florence for artistic and political dominance in central Italy. Walking the winding streets of this remarkable hill town, you can enjoy the artistic fruits of this rivalry. The Piazza del Campo is a beautiful square in the heart of the city, where each year rival neighborhoods complete in the "Palio", the horserace around its perimeter. Visit the adjacent Palazzo Pubblico or town hall where you can enjoy frescoes by Simone Martini and Lorenzetti before ascending the bell Tower del Mangia for a panoramic view of the city and countryside.
From there it's a short walk to the big green and white striped Duomo, with its paintings by Pinturicchio, sculptures by Bernini, and the famous "Pergamo", or raised altar, sculpted by Nicola Pisano. Do not forget a visit to Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana which houses one of the most beautiful proto Renaissance panel paintings. Also see Duccio's multi-paneled altarpiece, the Maestà, which is actually located in the abandoned walls of what was to have been one of Italy's largest cathedrals. At some point during the day make sure you drink some coffee and taste the Panforte, one of the Siena's most typical pastries and a great delicacy.

Learn more about the city of Siena, about its history and its cultural life and past with AboutSiena.com, your tourist guide to Siena. Here you'll really find also all kind of touristic information about the city of Siena.

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!

Learn more about the valley of Mugello, with Aboutmugello.com, your tourist guide to Mugello. On aboutmugello.com you can find fotos, maps, useful addresses and suggestion for spending you time, during your stay in this valley. You will find also information about: Festivals, Events and Markets, Museums, Food & typical dishes, a traditional meal and Italian Language Study.

MONTEPULCIANO - PIENZA - SAN GIMINIANO

In the village of Montepulciano visit Antonio da Sangallo's San Biagio, a wonderful Renaissance church. You can then spend time walking the streets and feel what it was like to live in the medieval period.

In Pienza, in the mid-15th century, Pope Pius II turned this out of the way hill town into a testing ground for the most advanced Renaissance ideas about urban planning. Take a morning to walk the streets before moving onto the next village.

San Gimignano is a medieval town that owes its famous skyline to the rival families who tried to outdo each other by building taller and taller towers. Of the original 76 towers only 13 still survive today.

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.

If you are interested, read more about the wine tasting excursion on the Castello di Verrazzano.