Tuscany region

Few other regions of Italy can boast an artistic history which is so profound and deep-rooted in both the land and popular culture as that of Tuscany. This is a land of astonishing artistic, historical, cultural, monumental and urban variety.  Besides the obvious and indisputable beauty of spectacular cities like Florence, Siena and Lucca, there are as many lesser-known art and historical 'jewels' in Tuscany which you can read about further in the following alternative travel itineraries.

Tuscany is equally captivating for its well-preserved landscapes, gently rolling hills, woodlands, vineyards, olive and cypress trees, composing a harmonious and inspirational natural environment.
If you get the urge to explore Tuscany’s gorgeous light and beautiful panoramas, take a drive or a bike ride down the road from Florence to Fiesole, where age-old farms with fine architecture keep watch over this land where the living is easy. And there’s surely a wine cellar waiting there for you to sample one of the famous Tuscan wines while munching on a bruschetta drizzled with olive oil.
Cities:
Florence is the regional capital. Other important cities are Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Grosseto, Arezzo.

exploring Tuscany villas

the Chiana valley

Of the localities which constellate La Val di Chiana, there are many which are worthy of note. Castiglion Fiorentino, with roman origins, has conserved intact its medieval city walls, which are dominated by the fortress of Cassero. The historical city centre is entirely made up of impressive civil and holy buildings. In the 1500AD town hall there is a splendid library and a museum with paintings and tableau dating from 1200AD to 1500AD and valuable pieces of antique jewellery. The imposing outline of Cortona’s Cyclopean masonry, albeit with slight medieval modifications, can still be seen today. However, the prevalent character of Cortona's buildings is medieval. Due to Cortona's elevated position (approx 600m), every point in the city offers magnificent views of all of La Val di Chiana. In the locality of Calcinaio there is the delightful 1500AD temple of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Lucignano. The town of Lucignano retains the original circular town plan, which originated from the castle's foundations and developed with streets inside the walls built in concentric circles. The buildings, built between the 13th and 18th centuries, are nearly all perfectly conserved and give the town a dignified look, further accentuated by the solid form of the fortress, dating back to the 15th century. Monte San Savino, despite probably being of roman origins, in the Middle Ages town walls were built and a well-populated town grew within, turning Monte San Savino into a type of fortress. This was the home land of the great renaissance sculptor Andrea Contucci, known as Sansovino, and of Pope Julius III.

the sienese Chianti region

Castellina in Chianti, situated on a panoramic hill, covered in vines, dominates the three valleys of Arbia, Pesa and Elsa.  The fortress, which dominates the town, hosts a museum with Etruscan exhibits.
Radda in Chianti, situated in the heart of the Chianti region, is surrounded by woods, vineyards, castles and ancient churches. It still retains the original medieval city walls encircling the town which grew around the 14th century church of San Niccolò (Nicholas) and the older Palazzo Pretorio.
Hills cloaked in olive groves and vines border the ancient market town of Gaiole in Chianti.  On the outskirts of Gaiole, (about 2kms away), there is Vertine, a fortified village which dates back to the 12th century and which has remained unchanged.
Driving for about 1km along a picturesque road which winds through vineyards, you reach the Castello di Meleto, a wonderful example of a fortified estate. Dating back to the 12th century, the castle has two circular towers, frescoed reception rooms, loggias, courtyards and a small 1700AD theatre.
San Giusmè is a splendid fortified village, which dates back to at least the 9th century and has kept, almost completely unblemished, its medieval structure, walls and two ancient doors.
Castelnuovo Berardenga. In the 14th century the Sienese constructed a castle which was positioned on a hill dominating the Ombrone and Malena valleys. At the end of the 18th century, Villa Chigi was built on the ruins of this castle and was framed by a large park.

the parishes and castles of Lunigiana

Castello Malaspina is a privately owned castle is a solid and majestic construction. It is situated at the edge of a medieval village which is stretched along a ridge of hills and  distinguishes the surrounding landscape. 
The Fortezza della Brunella and the Natural History museum of Lucignano stand in the locality of Aulla.  The fortress (possibly called Brunella because of the colour of the rock from which it was constructed) is a commanding, square-shaped building.
Castello della Verrucola (locality Fivizzano) with its immense size, is a valuable example of medieval architecture. The castle, constructed in 1300AD by Spinetta Malaspina il Grande, is divided into different sections which are overlooked by a quadrangular keep. 
Castello di Bastia (locality Bastia) was built in a strategic position in order to control the road leading to the Lagastrello pass. The imposing structure takes a square form, with circular towers along the sides and a centrally positioned keep.
Il Castello di Bagnone which is characterized by its solid square towers, was the main seat of the Florentine sovereignty in the Val di Magra from the 15th century onwards.
Pieve di Sorano (Locality Filattiera). This parish church offers visitors the chance to catch sight of elements of 'romantic Tuscany' and 'romantic Lombardy' fused together and exhibited in the monumental and evocative apse.
Castello di Piagnaro and the Stele Statue Museum of Lunigiana (Locality Pontremoli)  is situated at the summit of a small village, is part of an intricate system of walls and towers originally erected to defend the city.