Surroundings

Located in the west of Tuscany, Pisa is known worldwide for its Leaning Tower, the bell tower of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, in the famous Piazza dei Miracoli, a World Heritage Site. Observing its marked inclination, you will be blown away to discover that, even today, 700 years after it was erected, the Tower has not yet collapsed!

A city made unique by its city walls, dating back to the sixteenth century that surround the historic center, cloistering it off from the most modern districts. Strolling along its narrow streets, you will feel you are enveloped in timeless atmosphere. Monuments, elegant buildings, churches and squares make this city enchanting: the Torre Giunigi, the Amphitheatre, the Cathedral of San Martino and the Palazzo Mansi National Museum.

A city of great historical and cultural interest, whose centre is dotted with medieval architectural features that will literally leave you speechless. Piazza del Campo and the Palazzo Pubblico represent the heart of the city; all around, a succession of monuments, churches, restaurants and cafes. Piazza del Campo is still today home to the iconic horse race, held during the famous Palio, the competition of medieval origin that twice a year (every 2 July and 16 August) sees the seventeen districts of the city race against each other.

Halfway between Siena and Florence, San Gimignano is a picturesque small town that has preserved its ancient medieval architecture. San Gimignano is famous for the medieval towers that have earned it the name of Manhattan of the Middle Ages. Observing its skyline today, 14 of the 72 towers and medieval tower-houses remain standing. The centerpiece of the city is Piazza della Cisterna, a triangular square that houses the Palazzo del Podestà (the Governor’s Palace), the Palazzo Comunale (the city Town Hall), and the Duomo (the main Cathedral). Two towers stand on this square: the Torre Grossa and the Torre Rognosa.

A beautiful small town surrounded by walls and located on top of a hill, Montalcino enjoys a wonderful view over the surrounding valleys. The landscape is characterised by bare hills, winding streets, cypresses and fortified towns but, above all, by the hundreds of hectares of vineyards, where some of the most famous Tuscan red wines are produced, such as Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino.

A medieval town of Etruscan origin in the south of Tuscany and an important farming centre, famous for its red “Nobile” wine. Montepulciano is located on a hill and enjoys an extraordinary view of the Valdichiana and the Val d’Orcia valleys. To this day, you can spot many architectural jewels and artistic treasures, as well as enjoying the beauty of the surrounding countryside.

In the 12th century, Monteriggioni was built by the City of Siena as an outpost for defense against threats from Florence. Between 1213 and 1219, a mighty wall was built around the city, 570 meters long and equipped with 14 huge towers. There are numerous buildings of historical and cultural interest, including the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, which represents an interesting example of transition from the Romanesque architectural style to Gothic. Monteriggioni exerted a huge appeal even on Dante, who quotes it in a verse from Canto 31 of the Inferno.

A small town near Siena that enjoys a breath-taking panoramic view of the Val d’Orcia valley. Pope Pius II, who was born there, had the decadent, original town remodeled, transforming it into the typical Renaissance ideal city. Thanks to its position, Pienza played a role of great prestige during the Middle Ages. The most important buildings surround the main square: the Cathedral, Palazzo Piccolomini, Palazzo Borgia and Palazzo dei Priori.

A town of Etruscan origin situated on top of a hill in the middle of the Tuscan valleys; it is also called the “windy city”. It played a leading role as an episcopal seat in the eleventh century. Today, it is known as a heritage city and is primarily famous for its handicraft production of alabaster and onyx artefacts.

Thousands of rows of vines characterize this region where excellent wines are produced, the quality of which is the result of a thousand-year-old expertise and very long winemaking tradition that has its roots in the distant Etruscan era. Greve in Chianti, which nestles on a hill entirely covered with trees and vineyards, is the heart of this region, halfway between Florence and Siena. A vista of vineyards, olive groves, castles, churches and medieval alleys: Greve in Chianti is a key destination for all those who are looking for the true Tuscan experience.

The historic center of Arezzo is located on a hill, a position that in the past guaranteed effective defence of the surrounding territory. By contrast, the lower part of the city, around the railway station, is more modern. Although it is perhaps less well-known than other Tuscan locations, Arezzo also has extraordinary artistic and cultural heritage, such as the Renaissance fresco cycle “The Legend of the True Cross” by Piero della Francesca in the Church of San Francesco.

A Tuscan city close to the Umbria region border, with its magnificent panorama extending for kilometers over the Tuscany and Umbria hills beyond Lago Trasimeno. The origins of Cortona date back to the Etruscan period, whose testimony is still very visible in the defence walls encircling the city. For tourists exploring Tuscany, Cortona is the ideal place for a day trip.

This famous holiday resort on theLigurian Sea coasttakes its name from the fort located in the historic center of town and from the marble transported from the nearby Apuan Alps to the coast for maritime shipping. On clear days, you can enjoy a spectacular view of both the sea and the mountains. Since the Agnelli family chose this location for its summer holidays in the 1930s, Forte dei Marmi has become a popular destination for tourists from all over the world.

A picturesque fishing village on the Ligurian Riviera, Portofino has been a holiday resort for celebrities for many years. Pastel-coloured houses, shops, cafes, restaurants and luxury hotels give on to the square overlooking the crystalline waters of the harbour. A path connects the Piazzetta square to Castello Brown, a defensive fortress and a 16th century noble residence, with a spectacular view of the town and the sea. Not just “dolce vita”: in Portofino, you can go on excursions, diving and boat trips.

Assisi is the birthplace of St. Francis, one of the patron saints of Italy, protector of animals and nature. Every year, many tourists and pilgrims visit this enchanting Umbrian town with an almost thousand-year history. The most important building in Assisi is the Basilica of San Francesco, an imposing church built on two levels and consecrated in 1253. Inside, the extraordinary 13th century frescoes are housed, depicting the life of Saint Francis and attributed, among others, to Giotto and Cimabue.