Tuscany

The medieval old town of Castiglion Fiorentino is a well kept secret, closely guarded by the substantial city walls that surround it. Once used to keep enemies out, the impressive Porta Fiorentina stone archway at the entrance to the town now invites visitors in its heart. The narrow shaded streets are lined with pretty pastel-coloured buildings, their intricate wooden doorways opening into shops and restaurants here and there. Take time to enjoy a coffee in the sunny Piazza del Municipio with its unique stone columned loggia offering the perfect frame to the picturesque view stretching out to the east. The town is crowned by the Torre del Cassero, a semi-ruined tower on a grassy hilltop right at the centre. Built in 1347 by the Perugians, it is possible to climb the wooden stairway to the summit for fantastic views across the Val di Chiana and Val di Chio.

A medieval hilltop town in the beautiful Val di Chiana area, Cetona is a proud member of the prestigious club of the most beautiful towns in Italy, ‘I Borghi più belli d’Italia’. The old town follows the typical Tuscan pattern of a central piazza, where an outdoor market is held every Saturday. The elegant Rivellino Tower sits at one end of the piazza, and there are shops and restaurants in and around the square. Among Cetona’s notable buildings are the 13^th century Church of the Holy Trinity (La Collegiata), the Convent of San Francesco and Belverde Archaeological Park. Lovely places to visit in the vicinity include Sarteano for its Etruscan past, Montepulciano for its excellent wines and the Pietraporciana reserve for walking and enjoying nature.

One of the most beautiful cities in Italy, if not the world, Florence (Firenze in Italian) is not to be missed. Surrounded by hills, the city sits either side of the River Arno in a natural bowl and harbours an overwhelming abundance of Renaissance ‘palazzi’, museums and churches that are world famous for their beauty, art and history. Although this makes it busy year round, there is a great atmosphere and it is a beautiful city to simply wander round at your own pace. The principal sights are the magnificent cathedral and campanile, the Ponte Vecchio bridge lined with jewellery shops, the Uffizi Museum and the Piazza della Signora, the hub of the city with some its most celebrated buildings but also a great spot to have a cappuccino and people-watch!

Bagni di Lucca is a very pretty town sitting beside the River Lima, the main tributary of the Serchio. Known for its hot springs since Etruscan and Roman times, it became a fashionable spa resort  in the 19^th century when the sister of Napoleon Bonaparte made it her summer residence, and many famous writers and composers then came to ‘take the waters’. Many of the spas have now closed but visitors can still bathe at the Terme Bagni di Lucca which offers a variety of treatments and three thermal pools. A thriving little town with a great atmosphere, Bagni di Lucca is lovely to wander around, its elegant Tuscan villas a reminder of its past – see if you can spot the houses (indicated by blue plaques) where Byron, Shelley et al stayed.

Lucca is a delightful small city to wander round, with extremely well preserved walls encircling it. Alternatively, it can be explored by rickshaw, or by hiring bicycles. At the heart of the city, the beautiful oval-shaped Piazza del Anfiteatro is wonderfully atmospheric, and there are numerous boutiques and restaurants to discover. Lovers of art and architecture will be in their element, as Lucca contains many lovely churches including Romanesque masterpieces like San Frediano and San Michele, and the picture gallery at Palazzo Mansi with its collection of Medici pictures and opulent rooms decorated in silks and tapestries. Likewise, the Villa Guinigi National Museum sketches in Lucca’s history through a variety of objects from medieval woodcuts, busts, Roman statues and some allegorical pictures by 18^th century artist Pompeo Batoni, a son of Lucca.

Set high on a hilltop and affording a breathtaking panorama of the Tuscan countryside below, the medieval town of Cortona is a little Italian gem well worth discovering. Full of architectural treasures highlighting the Renaissance period the keen photographer is rewarded with a photo opportunity at every turn. The narrow, shaded streets are dotted here and there with colourful window boxes and an eclectic mix of cafés, art galleries, restaurants and boutique shops. In contrast, the stunning main square is flooded with sunlight and offers a great spot to sit with a coffee and just soak up the atmosphere. The square is dominated by the town hall and clock tower which may be familiar to some as a setting used in the film 'Under a Tuscan Sun'.

One of the larger towns in the area, Montepulciano can definitely be classed as a Renaissance beauty. Atop a steep hill, its impressive high walls remain intact and the narrow cobbled streets within are still lined with historic stone buildings. After a hard climb to the top you will find Renaissance palazzo and incredible views. Montepulciano is, of course, famous for its wine which can be tasted in the Palazzo del Capitano on Piazza Grande, or accompanied by a platter of cheeses and meats in a pavement café in the historic centre.

This pretty town is situated in the Valdera, the vallery of the River Era, a picturesque landscape of rolling hills, woodland, tiny villages and vineyards between Pisa and Volterra. A typical Tuscan town with narrow streets leading to the main piazza surrounded by ancient buildings, Lajatico nowadays is famous for being the home town of Andrea Bocelli, the award winning singer/songwriter. Every year for one night in July, he gives a concert in the ‘Teatro del Silenzio’, a natural amphitheatre just outside the town. The surrounding countryside is peppered with places to explore: villages such as Orciatico, Montecatini Val di Cecina, Casciana; wineries producing both reds and whites (the village of Terricciola hosts a number of wine related events) and finally a trip to the coast is possible too (in just under an hour).

A UNESCO World Heritage site, San Gimignano is well known and deservedly popular. The town originally had over 70 towers, ostensibly built for defensive reasons but also to bolster the egos of the owners who all strived to build the highest! Originally it was possible to cross the town by rooftop but now only a few towers remain, nevertheless creating an inspiring skyline. There are many fine examples of medieval and Renaissance art to see in the town, whilst the Torture Museum offers an alternative, albeit slightly gruesome visit. The streets and squares are blessed with plenty of cafes, restaurants and boutiques for relaxation after all the sightseeing. In the surrounding countryside, there are lovely walks along the the ‘Strade della Vernaccia’ (the Vernaccia wine route) so you can combine a meander through the vines with tasting the wines. Guided tours are also available around the local cellars and wineries.