Tuscany

getting to tuscany

Travel Options

The principal airport in Tuscany is Pisa, served by scheduled and 'no frills' airlines from many UK airports. The smaller airport in Florence is served from Gatwick. Bologna airport is also an option for the northern part of Tuscany.

Nowadays, the variety and choice of flights from UK airports to European destinations is considerable. We do not tie you in to a package holiday with prearranged travel; you are free to choose flights from your closest airport using any charter, scheduled or low cost airline. We can book flights on your behalf if you would like us to, for this service we charge a fee of £30 for each return flight booked.

You may prefer to take your own vehicle and drive to Italy. If you wish to travel by ferry to France, we can offer guidance and exclusive discounted rates for Brittany Ferries services. Further information on sea crossings.

Another option is to take the Eurotunnel service through the Channel Tunnel to Calais, and driving from there. It is also feasible to take the train to Italy, via Paris to Turin or Milan, and onward to Florence or Rome. More information on train travel.

We always recommend booking your travel arrangements as soon as you have decided on your holiday accommodation. You will usually find that fares are lower and the choice is wider. If you need to place a 'hold' on your chosen property whilst you are booking your travel arrangements we are more than happy to do this for you.

Fly from:

  1. East Midlands
  2. Gatwick
  3. Glasgow
  4. Heathrow
  5. Luton
  6. Manchester
  7. Newcastle
  8. Stansted

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Villages and towns in Tuscany

Colle di Val d'Elsa is a town of two halves. The main (new) town at the bottom of the hill has a number of shops and restaurants, and the old town perches on a ridge above, a beautiful walled town with cobbled streets and stone buildings. The town prospered in the past thanks to its strategic position along the Via Francigena, the medieval pilgrimage route from northern Europe to Rome, and its proximity to important towns such as Siena, San Gimignano, Florence and Volterra. In the 13th century the area became famous for its saffron, and it is still produced here today. In autumn mornings the strands are collected and dried at a temperature of not more than 40 degrees. The town is now also known for its crystal glass production, which visitors can learn about at the Museo del Cristallo.

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).

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.

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 18th century artist Pompeo Batoni, a son of Lucca.

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 19th 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.

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!

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 13th 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.

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.

Today the walled town of Sansepolcro has a range of shops, banks, supermarkets and cafés, plus a lively market. Dating back as far as the year 1000, its history is evident in the many churches and impressive public buildings that are scattered through the town. Many are ornately decorated with terracotta medallions crafted by Andrea della Robbia, and overflowing with Renaissance works of art including Piero della Francesca’s famous ‘The Resurrection’, which can still be admired in the Museo Civico. Many events and festivals are held here throughout the year including the ‘Palio della Balestra’, a traditional crossbow contest with rival town Gubbio.

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'.

San Gimignano

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.

Our Villas in Tuscany

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