Florence is probably the most popular city when traveling in Tuscany, and in fact every year boasts many visitors in every season. Beyond Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, there are many other towns that deserve to be explored and which can also be travel destinations off season, such as in autumn or winter.
During your stay in Florence you can explore the nearby areas with day trips to get to know the Tuscan countryside and perhaps give yourself the pleasure of spending a few days in the countryside and discovering its more rustic side
In our article we propose five charming towns in Tuscany you can visit.
Lucca
A small but charming town that boasts a strategic position, as it is located between the most famous Florence and Pisa. In fact, it is about an hour from Florence and half an hour from Pisa.
Lucca can be visited in one day with a day trip from Florence, but our advice is to spend at least one night in Lucca to have the chance to explore its interesting and very varied territory: from the hills of Lucca where excellent EVO and wine are produced, the Carrara marble quarries, which are about half an hour away by car, the wonderful Lucca villas, noble summer residences, and certainly to experience that relaxed mood that Lucca offers. A city still on a human scale.
Stroll through the historic center of Lucca, stop to admire the beautiful squares and churches, taste the typical products such as Buccellato. stop at Pasticceria Taddeucci, or taste the focaccia at Forno Giusti, shop for local products in the small shops stop at Prospero and why not rent bicycles and take a ride on the promenade of the walls, a must!
For Opera enthusiasts Lucca is absolutely a place of crucial importance, since it is the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini. Here you can visit the Maestro's birthplace and retrace the history of the Italian Opera known throughout the world.
Furthermore, do not forget that every year in July Lucca hosts one of the most important music festivals in Italy, Lucca Summer Festival, the stage of this event has been trod by world-famous artists from the Rolling Stones to Elton John from Bob Dylan to Ennio Moricone to name just a few of the big names.
Siena
Siena is an unmissable destination for those visiting Tuscany. Famous throughout the world for its Gothic style buildings and for the Palio, it has maintained a strongly traditional imprint, thanks to which it makes it a town with a relaxed atmosphere.
The historic center of Siena is a true jewel, so much so that it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is delimited by a medieval wall, still perfectly preserved, which follows the outline of the three hills on which the city was built. The three hills are connected by as many roads that intersect to form a large valley. And it is right here, at the point where the streets converge that we find Piazza Del Campo, the main attraction of Siena, the heart of the historic center and city life, and the place where the Palio is held and where the Torre de Mangia stands next to the majestic Palazzo Pubblico The Tower built from 1338 to 1348, is one of the tallest ancient civic towers in Italy.
Those who visit Siena cannot miss tasting its typical products such as Ricciarelli and Panforte
Siena is just over an hour away from Florence, so you could visit as a day trip or make it a stop on a road trip heading south into the Val d'Orcia.
San Gimignano
This wonderful village will fascinate you at first sight, as soon as you can admire a unique skyline in the distance. And it is precisely thanks to its towers that San Gimignano is called "Medieval Manhattan". You certainly cannot help but be fascinated by it.
Of the 72 towers built during the Middle Ages, 14 are still standing. From the towers you have a 360° view of the beautiful town and the surrounding hills.
San Gimignano is also characterized by its narrow cobblestone streets, overlooked by small shops selling local products from cured meats to wine to handicrafts.
Explore San Gimignano, discover even the most hidden corners, but which offer fantastic views of the landscape, walk along its small streets and relax while eating an ice cream. This is the way to experience the atmosphere of San Gimignano.
San Gimignano is a popular destination for a day trip, for those who want to escape the crowds, staying nearby and enjoying a stroll. Whatever you do, be sure to try the local white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
Pienza
Pienza was designed as the Renaissance “Ideal City”
The concept of the Idea City was born in the Renaissance and foresees that the urbun development starts with the main square, the center of the town , from where all the streets branch off harmoniously. This setting allows a better socialization and interactions between the inhabitants and make their lives more pleasant within the city.
Pienza has an absolutely enchanting and unique position in the heart of the wonderful Val D'Orcia, a destination that boasts some of the most beautiful hills in the world. A landscape that totally expresses the charm of Tuscany, a bucolic landscape, a place where traditions are still alive in every small town.
You can’t miss the pastoral pleasures surrounding the town, which is known for the production of pecorino di Pienza, a delicious sheep’s milk cheese. At your wishlist you also can add a private cooking class to try how to make pici pasta , a typical pasta of this area.
Cortona
Cortona is an enchanting town perched on a hill in the Val Di Chiana, the town that was the set of the famous novel and film Under The Tuscan Sun.
Cortona was an important Etruscan center and today we can still see its origins in the 2km of muse that surround it.
Thanks to its elevated position, Cortona enjoys a splendid view of the Valdichiana landscape and Lake Trasimeno (Umbria).
It is a truly picturesque village with a medieval imprint with its beautiful buildings, small cobbled streets, artisans' shops and many trattorias where you can taste local dishes.
For those who want to know the Etruscan origins of the town, a visit to the MAEC is a must, the museum which brings together the collections of the Etruscan Academy, the Egyptian section and the Archaeological Park of Cortona which has evidence of the Etruscan civilization
Among the places to visit near Cortona certainly Arezzo which has an ancient historic center with various monuments to visit, including the Cathedral, the Medici Fortress and several aristocratic palaces.
Montepulciano, famous for the production of the wine, it is a wonderful example of a Renaissance village.
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