FLORENCE: capital of the region of Tuscany, has a population of around half a million inhabitants, spreads on the banks of the Arno, between the Adriatic and the Tyrrhenian seas, almost in the middle of the Italian peninsula. It is a city which bustles with industry and craft, commerce and culture, art and science. Being on the main national railway lines, it is easily accessible from most important places both in Italy and abroad. The Florence “Vespucci” airport, where both national and international airlines stop, is located 5 Km. from the city centre. The main motorway, A1, connects Florence with Bologna and Milano in the North and Rome and Naples in the South. The motorway A11 to the sea joins it to Prato, Pistoia, Montecatini, Lucca, Pisa and all the resorts on the Tyrrhenian sea. There is also motorway which connects Florence to Siena. The climate is temperate but rather variable, with breezy winters and hot summers. The Chianti area, between Florence and Siena, is one of the most beautiful countrysides in Italy and a famous wine production area.
SIENA: Surrounded by olive groves and the vineyards of Chianti, Siena is one of the most beautiful cities of Tuscany. Set on three hills, the city is drawn together by winding alleyways and steep steps, whilst the Piazza del Campo stands at its heart, and the Duomo and St Maria della Scala serve as additional cultural landmarks. Famed for the “Palio”, the annual historic horse-races that take place on 2 July and 16 August, it is also home to one of the oldest Universities in Europe, which ensures a vibrant Italian student atmosphere throughout the academic year. In addition to the bustling daily life of the streets and squares of the city, Siena offers many cultural events, concerts, cinema, theatre and a wide range of sporting activities. Few geographical areas in the world can boast of the variety of environment that surrounds Siena. To the north, we have the richness of the Chianti landscape, woven with vines and olive-trees throughout the hills. Here also are beautiful towns like San Gimignano and Monteriggioni with old walls, winding streets and incredible views. South of Siena, the Arbia valley leads to the hill-top town of Montalcino, home to the famous Brunello wine. And the area La Crete stretches out, amazing visitors with its harsh rock formations and unique landscape. Westwards we head towards the coast, to captivating coastline towns like Castiglione della Pescaia, and nature reserves like the area called Maremma. With such natural beauty within easy reach by car or public transport, Siena is a good place to base yourself for a Tuscan experience.
PISA: located in western Tuscany, is known throughout the world for its famous Leaning Tower, but there is so much more to Pisa than just this striking landmark. The ecclesiastical city of Pisa began life as a seaside settlement around 3,000 years ago and was first laid out in the mid-eleventh century. Pisa is crammed full of wonderful, historical monuments and buildings dating back many hundreds of years and much of Pisa has retained its medieval appearance. Pisa is also known for its excellent university, which was established in 1343 and has become one of Italy’s top schools. There are a couple of tourism and tourist information offices in and around the city centre of Pisa and these provide the latest information about Pisa tourist attractions, museums, events, Pisa festivals, Pisa travel, Pisa sightseeing and general Pisa tourism and tourist information. In the north-west of Pisa there is an immense green lawn on which four impressive buildings stand in gleaming white marble. These imposing structures are the enormous, breathtaking Duomo (cathedral) – built almost 1,000 years ago, the cathedral’s bell tower – better known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the circular Battistero (Baptistery) – the largest of its kind in the whole of Italy, and the Camposanto – also known as the Holy Field, without doubt one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world. This area of Pisa is known as the Campo dei Miracoli or the Piazza dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles) and these remarkable Pisan buildings combine Moorish, Gothic and Romanesque architectural features.
VIAREGGIO: a first class seaside resort, easily reached by car on the motorway or by train from anywhere in Italy or Europe. The following Tuscany towns are near a convenient distance: Florence (80 km), Siena (130 Km), Lucca and Pisa (20 Km) with an international Airport. Easily reachable are also the islands of the Tuscany Archipelago, and sights as the Apuan Alps, Le 5 Terre (5 completely secluded villages beautifully situated at the coast), lakes etc.
The sandy beach of Viareggio falls gently into the sea, ideal for children, is spacious, clean and outrageous. Alongside runs the promenade with boutiques, shops, cafés, discos, cinemas, art-galleries and much more for your entertainment. There are two beautiful pine-forests on either side of the town, allowing all kinds of activities sports, games and you can relax in healthy clean air. the easy going joyful atmosphere helps to find new friend with whom to exchange ideas and spend the time with.
THE CINQUE TERRA: a string of villages set on the rugged, steep coastline within Liguria in the North West of Italy. The 5 villages Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore are linked by a network of hiking paths, boat routes and train lines. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is virtually car free as the precarious, narrow mountain roads make driving there almost impossible.
Originally settled prior to the 11th century by grape and olive farmers and fishermen. Repeated attacks from Turkey in the 16th Century led to the building of defensive towers and the reinforcement of existing forts.
The mountainsides of the Cinque Terre are heavily terraced and are used to cultivate grapes and olives. This area, and the region of Liguria, is known for pesto, a sauce made from basil leaves, garlic, salt, olive oil, pine nuts and pecorino cheese. The most common locally baked bread, Focaccia, is delicious breakfast snack, especially when paired with white wine! Farinata, a typical snack found in bakeries and pizzerias, is a savoury and crunchy pancake made from a base of chick pea flour.
