If you are tired of museums and art galleries there are still many things to do in Florence. You can wander the old streets and look at the sculptures in Piazza della Signoria and cross the Arno river on Ponte Vecchio. Lined with gold and silver shops the city's oldest bridge was built in the Roman times. During the day crowds of tourists flock to the bridge to get across from Palazzo Vecchio to the Palazzo Pitti area. The most romantic view from the bridge is at sunset when the glittering lights of Florence highlight the ancient buildings along the river. For more accommodations near Florence view our holiday homes in the city in Tuscany.

Siena

All the visitors arriving from the crowded and busy Florence instantly fall under the charm of Siena's graceful medieval streets. The whole city is like a living gallery of architecture from the Middle Ages laid on the slopes of three steep hills. The heart of the city is the Piazza del Campo. Designed in the form of a shell, the piazza was built on the site of the Roman forum with brick pavement divided by white marble lines. Our comfortable holiday home is located just outside the walls of the historic city center. If you're lucky enough to be here in July and August don't miss the famous 4-day Palio festivals. Your can join the colorful parades with medieval costumes and watch the fierce horse races around Piazza del Campo.

 

In the center of the town, climb the Torre del Mangia, the bell tower of the Palazzo Pubblico, for a panoramic view of the city and surrounding countryside. Your kids will be fascinated by the frescoes in the Palazzo Pubblico. The Duomo is an interesting place even for people who are sometimes bored with cathedrals. The black and white floors and the illustrations of the Last Judgment showing people struggling in hell will make your visit memorable. For a short afternoon adventure take a drive to San Gimignano, a perfectly preserved medieval village to taste the best white wine in Italy.

Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the main reason for tourists to visit Pisa. It belongs to a group of 4 majestic buildings all located on "Campo dei Miracoli" - the Field of Miracles. On the green carpet of grass you will find the Tower itself, the Cathedral, the Baptistry and the Camposanto cemetery. The Leaning Tower was designed to be vertical and started to drift during construction as the heavy marble was sinking in the soft subsoil. In 2001, it was righted to lean a mere 4 m as it did in 1838. It was this tower where Galileo dropped down balls of different weights disproving Aristotle's theories about the acceleration of falling bodies.

 

The Cathedral of Pisa with its strong Romanesque style is known as one of the main centers for medieval art in the world. The simple design is compensated by the artistic use of colored marble. The Baptistry has a circular layout and it is covered with white marble. The inside of the Baptistery was deliberately left bare to facilitate an exceptional echo that gives a mystical and suggestive atmosphere to the place. The Camposato cemetery was laid down in the 13th century with earth brought from the Holy Land shipped to Pisa by the Crusaders. More than 600 members of the Tuscan nobility have been buried here. You can have a look at the Roman sarcophagi and the famous frescoes: The Triumph of Death, the Last Judgment, and Hell. As the city center is very small, the best way to explore Pisa is walking on the streets to enjoy the sight and the atmosphere. We have chosen the best holiday homes to suit your individual needs and make your vacation in Tuscany unforgettable.

Lucca

The unspoiled medieval city of Lucca is situated in a fertile plain between Monte Pisano and the Apennines. The ancient walls still surround the city along 4 kilometers and the narrow streets run into weaving squares leading to pleasant gardens, 16th-century redbrick palaces, imposing medieval tower-houses and beautiful churches. In town check out the Duomo di San Martino to see the Volto Santo, a wooden figure of Christ. It is believed to be the face of Christ, carved by Nicodemus who was a witness at the crucifixion. Don't miss the Piazza Anfiteatro one of the popular sights in the city. This part of the old town remained intact retaining the original shape of the Roman amphitheater. During the centuries the city grew around it and some areas still preserve the original Roma stone work. If you'd love to stay in an ancient Etruscan town with magnificent views over the green plains and hills of Tuscany look for our holiday homes in Cortona.

<<Close