Towns & villages

Livorno is a city in Tuscany on the shores of the fascinating Ligurian Sea, an area of the western Mediterranean. Livorno was founded in 1017 and can look back on a long history, although it only became an important port and a centre of wealth and...

Lucca is a classic Tuscan city on a human scale, with just enough cultural attractions to beguile but not bewilder. Often bypassed by fans intent on ticking off the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Lucca is Tuscany’s self-deprecating star. It is a mellow...

South of Radda, Lecchi in Chianti lies at the foot of a hill surmounted by the tumbledown castle of Monteluco. The quaint hamlet is lined along the main road which rises upto Ama. With its distinctive stone houses and dignified church, this backwater...

Castelnuovo Berardenga sits on the southern border of the Chianti, somewhat overshadowed by Siena. For better or worse, its fortunes have always been tied to Siena. In 1555 this Sienese stronghold lost its encircling walls when Siena was defeated by...

San Donato in Poggio is set in one of the prettiest patches of the Chianti. The hilltop medieval village dominates a ridge separating the Val di Pesa from the Val d’Elsa and enjoys views of olive groves and vineyard-clad hills. This walled,...

South of Castellina lies the scenic hamlet of Vagliagli, perfectly placed for the southern end of the Chianti wine route. This once fortified outpost is surrounded by beguiling wine estates that also date back to medieval times. The sleepy...

Cortona’s appeal lies in its lofty setting, splendid views and medieval mood. Set close to the Umbrian border, 30 km south of Arezzo, Cortona is one of the most delightful hill towns in Tuscany. It was founded by the Etruscans, colonised by the...

Umbria, the birthplace of St Benedict and Francis of Assisi, seems bathed in a mystical glow, and Orvieto plays into the mystique. Set midway between Florence and Rome, Orvieto is Umbrian perfection, with luminous frescoes and enigmatic churches only...

The Village of Camaiore is located in a valley surrounded by hills and the northern Appennins mountains. Camaiore has Roman origins as one of the largest encampments near to the city of Lucca and an important station along the Via Cassia. The origins...

When visiting Tuscany, the city of Arezzo, nestled in the heart of the region, invites visitors to explore its rich history, culture and artistic heritage, making it worth a visit. Renowned as the birthplace of famed artists like Piero della...

Pretty Pistoia is often dubbed `Florence in miniature’ for its vivid cultural life, quiet confidence and its concentration of art and architecture. It is this living culture that sets Pistoia apart from other cities of a similar size. Even so,...

Grosseto, the capital of the Province of Grosseto, is renowned for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant local culture. Grosseto offers a unique blend of historical charm and modern amenities. This enchanting city, surrounded by the...

The hazy hills, a magical quality of light, and an air of spirituality help set Umbria apart, along with its bewitching capital, Perugia. Cosmopolitan, arty, heritage-minded yet forward-looking, Perugia makes a delightful introduction to the region,...

Pisa is a city renowned for its iconic landmarks, rich history, and vibrant culture. Once a thriving Roman port, sitting on the coast until the 15th century, Pisa now lies on the alluvial plain of the Arno River, about 10km from the Liguria Sea. The...

Pienza is an exquisite Renaissance doll’s house, almost too perfect for its own good. Pienza’s popularity has been boosted by its Unesco recognition and by its attraction as a film set. More heretically, visitors flock to the town almost...

To outsiders, it’s the prestigious Brunello de Montalcino wine that defines this tiny Tuscan outpost. From a distance Montalcino looks like a medieval Sienese painting, so little has changed since its heyday. The town is bathed in a russet...

Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is a bustling town with road and rail links to Lucca, Pisa, Florence and the Versilia coast by Viareggio. The national parks of the Apuan Alps and Appenines are an easy drive away and open up a whole host of walks, nature...

Many Tuscan towns are authentically medieval, as is Volterra. Today’s city is delightful, less touristy than San Gimignano, Cortona or Pienza but arguably just as beguiling. Even so, it’s an authentic medieval city with an Etruscan...

San Gusmè, a walled hilltop hamlet, is a charming Sienese backwater. Set 5 km north of Castelnuovo Berardenga, this tranquil spot has always been in Siena’s orbit. The medieval village only joined the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in the 16th...

Set on the scenic Chiantigiana, amidst the captivating landscapes of the Chianti, Castellina stands as a quintessential hilltop village adorned with a rich tapestry of history and natural splendour. Renowned for its exquisite wineries, Castellina in...

Radda in Chianti is the heart of Tuscany's wine country, making it an ideal base for exploring the region. Strategically located between Gaiole in Chianti and Castellina in Chianti, Radda has a rich history as the headquarters of the Chianti...

Greve represents the northern gateway to the Chianti, the first stop from Florence. The SS222, known as the Chiantigiana, or Chianti Way, winds its picturesque way from Florence to Siena, through this peaceful region, offering archetypal scenes of...

Hilltop Gaiole makes a great stepping-stone to explorations of local inns, wine estates and ancient abbeys. From the fortified monastery of Badia di Coltibuono to Castello di Brolio. a former Florentine castle with its gaze firmly fixed on its...

The historic centre of hilltop Panzano unfolds along quaint alleys, bounded by a stretch of battered city walls. Medieval Panzano was a pawn between the feuding powers of Florence and Siena so constantly changed hands. Architecturally, this fortified...

Florence is dauntingly monumental and basks in its past glories, its weighty Renaissance history. More than any other city, Florence is defined by its artistic heritage. The churches, palaces and galleries are studded with the world’s greatest...

Welcome to Siena, where medieval charm and Tuscan beauty converge. Famous for its stunning architecture, including the iconic Piazza del Campo and towering Siena Cathedral, this city invites you to wander its historic streets, savour local cuisine,...

From Radda, a tortuous road climbs to Volpaia, the prettiest medieval village around. The fortified medieval layout survives, complete with towers and stretches of the city walls. The forbidding aspect is a reminder that Volpaia served as a member of...

Spectacular Monteriggioni, north of Siena, is a medieval stronghold, encircled by well-preserved stone walls and fourteen towers. Like Montepulciano, this small hilltop town is emblematic of the Tuscan landscape. Often dubbed `the gateway to the...

The Val d’Orcia is a ravishing rural area running into le Crete Senesi, but within sight of hulking Monte Amiata. For many, this is the loveliest area in Tuscany, with Unesco-listed countryside, perfect hilltop villages, remote abbeys and...

Montepulciano is effortlessly civilised and makes a beguiling base should you have a villa nearby. Its appeal lies in the mellow mix of Renaissance palaces and moody wine bars made for sipping Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Like all quintessential...

Castagnoli, south of Gaiole in Chianti, is a small, stone-built village surmounted by a medieval fortress. Known as the Rocca di Castagnoli, this stark fortress was besieged by the Sienese in 1478. This is Chianti castle country, with Castagnoli...

San Gimignano, renowned for its medieval architecture and iconic towers, offers a wealth of activities for visitors. Stroll through the charming streets lined with artisanal shops and traditional trattorias where you can savour authentic Tuscan...

In the annual `beach charts’ Tuscany triumphs. The region is recognised as having a superbly clean coastline, second only to Liguria’s. The beaches score highly for cleanliness of the water, safety, quietness, eco-friendliness and...

Easy-going Viareggio is a boisterous, sun-and-sand resort that is especially popular with Italian families. This friendly resort is more family-minded than most on this coast and is well-equipped with climbing frames and child-friendly cafes. The...

If the Tuscan lifestyle is the greatest lure, then Chianti is perfection. This famous wine-growing region is quintessential Tuscany, with villa-living the ideal way of appreciating the countryside. In the Chianti, the locals seem to have found the...

Forte dei Marmi, a seaside town on the Tuscan Versilia coast, is renowned for its stunning beaches, upscale shopping, and vibrant nightlife. Since the 1960s, Forte dei Marmi has established itself as an icon of fashion, where VIPs live “la...

South of San Gimignano, Colle di Val d’Elsa is `crystal city,’ a commercial success story based on crystal. Luckily, it’s also a cultural gem, once set on the Via Francigena pilgrimage trail, which led from Canterbury to Rome. The...

Set halfway between Pisa and Florence, the medieval town of San Miniato is about the sleepy mood and the tasty food. Crowning three hills, San Miniato surveys magnificent countryside. On the proverbial fine day you can gaze as far as Volterra and the...