Florence & Tuscany

LUCCA

(Tuscany)
Lucca is a town that was founded by the Etruscans and became a Roman military base in 180 BC.  The town became prosperous through the silk trade that began in the 11th century. For almost 500 years, Lucca remained a wealthy independent republic. There are many richly built medieval basilica-form churches in Lucca with arcaded facades and campaniles, a few as old as the 8th century. The city is completely surrounded by a fortification wall that has become a beautiful pedestrian promenade ringing the old town.  Lucca is filled with history and art and is about 90 minutes from Florence by train or bus.  

PISA

(Tuscany)
Pisa lies near the Mediterranean on the west coast of Italy.  It may have been inhabited as early as the Bronze Age and was certainly populated by the Etruscans and in turn, the Romans.  In the early Middle Ages it flourished economically and became a major trade center. Among its many treasures are the Leaning Tower, 12th century Duomo and the Campo dei Miracoli or "Field of Miracles”.  It is 30 minutes from Lucca or 2 hours by train from Florence.

CINQUE TERRE

(Liguria)
Cinque Terre (literally “Five Lands”), is comprised of the 5 small villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, which cling to the cliffs by the Mediterranean just south of the Italian Riviera. The terrain is so steep that for centuries, footpaths were the only way to get from place to place. Today these paths provide breathtaking views of the rocky coast, as well as access to secluded beaches and grottoes.  Hiking is the classic way to experience Cinque Terre, and the Sentiero Azzurro or “Blue Trail” is the most popular trail which is approximately 8 miles in length, takes you to all five villages and requires about five hours to complete. The villages are also linked by a small train, which runs frequently.  Cinque Terre is 2-1/2 hours from Florence by train.

SIENA

(Tuscany)
Siena, the medieval gem of Tuscany, was founded by the Etruscans.  Siena is Florence’s great historical rival and during the late Middle Ages it was wealthy and powerful. The birthplace of the world’s oldest bank, Sienese identity is still defined by its 17 medieval contrade (“neighborhoods”), each with its own church, museum and emblem. The various contrade uphold ancient rivalries during the centuries-old Palio, a twice-yearly horse race (held in July and August) around Piazza del Campo, the city’s main square. Siena can be reached from Florence in 2 hours by both bus and train. 

SAN GIMIGNANO

(Tuscany)
High on a hill, surrounded by fourteen (of its original seventy), 12-13th century towers, San Gimignano is considered the quintessential Tuscan hill-town.  The two main churches are the Collegiata, formerly a cathedral, and Sant'Agostino, which house a wide representation of artworks from some of the main Italian renaissance artists. There are museums, fine restaurants, and of course its famous Vernaccia white wine. San Gimignano can be reached in approximately 1 1/2 hours by bus from Florence. 

AREZZO

(Tuscany)
The town of Arezzo retains its historic medieval center where the Church of San Francesco with its magnificent and newly restored fresco cycle. 
is the starting point of the Piero della Francesca trail.  Arezzo and the surrounding region is the birthplace of some famous historical figures; the poet Petrarch; the painter Piero della Francesca; the artists’ biographer ; and even the master Michelangelo Buonarroti. More recently, Arezzo was the location for Roberto Benigni's film Life Is Beautiful (La vita è bella, 1997).
Arezzo is an easy one hour train ride from Florence.

CORTONA

(Tuscany)
Cortona is one of the oldest hill-towns in Italy, dating back to the 8th century BC.  Surrounded by olive groves, it commands sweeping views over lake Trasimeno and the plain of the Valdichiana. Full of atmosphere, its delightful medieval streets are a pleasure to wander for their own sake.  Cortona was recently popularized as the setting of Francis Mayes’ “Under the Tuscan Sun”. 
Cortona is reachable in less than 3 hours by both bus and train from Florence.

NAPLES and POMPEII

(Campania)
Naples is located in southern Italy at the head of the Bay of Naples. The birthplace of pizza, Naples is rich in history and monuments.  The famous Archeological Museum houses discoveries from Pompeii and Herculaneum and is one of the most significant collections in Europe.  
Nearby Pompeii is a petrified memorial to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius on the morning of August 23rd AD 79.  It is the largest, most accessible, and one of the most famous excavations anywhere in the world. Naples and Pompeii is about 5 hours by train from Florence.