Highlights
Pisa
Best known for its iconic Leaning Tower, charming Pisa’s appeal does not stop there. Stroll beneath the Tuscan sunshine past Romanesque buildings, striking churches and Renaissance piazzas; the magnificent Duomo was begun way back in 1064, boasting a glorious tiered exterior and famed elliptical dome. Discover the countless museums and art galleries that the city houses, explore the hauntingly beautiful Camposanto cemetery (home to a number of iconic Pisans), before an evening of authentic Italian food and great wine in Pisa’s vibrant bars and restaurants.
Food and Drink
For those with an interest in wine, the Chianti wine-producing region is blessed with some excellent vineyards where wine-tasting is a popular pastime. Numerous local trattorias and restaurants in both towns and countryside offer you the chance to indulge in tasty Tuscan cuisine. And, for fantastic ice-cream, head for any of the ‘gelaterias’ on Florence's Ponte Vecchio.
Art & architecture
Birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, Florence is an art-lover’s dream. Beauty reflects from wherever you look, whether it’s the impressive Duomo which dominates the skyline, the picturesque Ponte Vecchio bridge over the river Arno that is lined with shops or the world-fabled Uffizi Gallery that is filled with some of the world’s most precious paintings and antiquities.
Explore
If you wish to explore Tuscany in some depth, hiring a car is a great idea. Highlights for your sight-seeing list should include Lucca, with its maze of backwaters lined with captivating shops and restaurants, while the hilltop town of San Gimignano, with its famous stone towers soaring above the horizon, offers an array of architectural delights.
Siena's Palio
Whilst Siena’s charming gardens and pretty wells ooze romance, the city is also famed for its fast-paced, warlike Palio battles, perhaps Italy’s most famous annual sporting event. Twice annually, on 2nd July and 16th August, ten fearless jockeys race bareback around the famed Piazza del Campo, in a historic race held to honour the Virgin Mary. Join thousands of passionate locals and soak up the inimitable atmosphere of excitement and anticipation, as you wait to hear the thundering hooves as they pass. For the ultimate Palio experience, join a festive open-air dinner held by each of the city’s districts on the evening before the big race.