City Monuments Guide
Coast and mountains: From Viareggio to Carrara
Riviera della Versilia, coast between Viareggio and Carrara, is an almost uninterrupted series of bathing areas, without exception, not very attractive. It should be different, because of the beautiful background of the two-thousand-year-old Alpi Apuane, …
North to San Frediano and Anfiteatro
North of San Michele via Fililungo runs through Lucca's richest shopping district, next to Torre delle Oro (city clock tower), beautiful Caffe di Simo (nr 58) and crosses the checkerboard of streets leading onto the Piazza …
Lucca (Lucca)
LUCCA is one of the most graceful provincial centers. It is located inside thick Renaissance walls, surrounded by gardens and huge bastions, and has almost entirely medieval, very regular street layout. The buildings consist of palaces and several towers - one topped with an oak tree …
From Pisa to Florence
The train takes you from Pisa to Florence just an hour – a pleasant journey, but there is little reason to stop anywhere. Pontedera and Empoli are primarily industrial cities; Empoli offers convenient connections southwards to …
Other parts of the city
Away from Campo dei Miracoli has Pisa a completely different character, because tourists die in the mass of students still an excellent university. There are quiet places here, a little ethereal at night, full of chaotic squares and arcaded streets, with a group of Romanesque churches …
The Tuscan coast is touristically uneven. At its best – in the low season – on the islands of Elba and Giglio can compete with every coastal region of Italy. But driving along the mainland you have the impression of monotony and excessive expansion: hundreds of dingy swimming areas …
Saturnia, Pitigliano and the southern borders
Driving south from Arcidosso on a winding road through the hills, suddenly you find yourself face to face with columns of white smoke coming from the slopes. It is a sulphate land, a landscape full of underground spas, which are periodically used as …
Monte Ammiata
Monte Ammiata extinct volcano, height 1739 m, is the highest hill in Tuscany. Grows out of the wasteland of crete; rather forms several hills, not one peak, and you can see it from a long distance. The area is primarily suitable for practicing sports …
Montalcino
Montalcino is another classic town in the hills of Tuscany. Seated inside a full ring of walls and guarded by rocca (Stronghold) presents a wonderful view from below; and from the top there is an equally beautiful panorama of the area – the vineyards themselves, sady i …
The area west of Montepulciano is best explored on foot. Pienza is located just about 11 km on the old road through Monticchiello, and the trail from Pienza runs south to the medieval baths of Bagno Vignoni. If you are addicted to buses, which …