| The first town, and perhaps most famous Tuscany | | | | you will see many works by Caravaggio, Michelangelo |
| town, is Pisa. Everyone will know about the Leaning | | | | and Rapheal; but the most popular piece in the |
| Tower of Pisa, but there is so much more to the town | | | | museums is probably The Birth of Venus by Botticelli. |
| that that. The Tower is found in the Piazza dei Miracoli, | | | | There is a load more to do in the city you may |
| which is known as one of the main centres for | | | | definitely need a few days to see it all. |
| medieval art in the world and where you will also find | | | | Moving south, you will be heading towards Arezzo on |
| the Duomo, the Baptistery and the Camposanto. | | | | the A1 toll road. The journey is about 80 kms and will |
| Other areas of Pisa that you should visit include Piazza | | | | take you close to the Chianti region of Tuscany which |
| dei Cavalieri (aka Knights Square), which used to be | | | | is famed for its fine wines. On your way you might |
| the political centre of the medieval city; Santa Maria | | | | make some time to have a look around here but |
| della Spina, which is a small gothic church which | | | | remember not to over indulge on the wine when you |
| houses one of the thorns from Jesus' crown; La | | | | are driving. |
| Cittadella, a fortress built to guard the sea access by | | | | When you get to Arezzo you will discover a |
| the river Arno (the city is no longer next to the sea); | | | | fascinating town that had a great history. The town |
| and a lot more. | | | | was called Arretium by the Romans and it was a |
| The next stop on our tour of Tuscany is the city of | | | | major centre of Etruscan culture in a time before the |
| Florence. It is located about 90 kms to the east of Pisa | | | | Roman Empire. This town is not as big as either of the |
| which you can drive quickly on the A11 Toll Road or on | | | | previous two, so the main sights of the city are mostly |
| the Strada Grande Firenze-Pisa-Livorno which will take | | | | within walking distance of each other. These sights |
| a little longer but its not a tolled route. | | | | include the Piazza Grande, which is a charming town |
| Once you get to Florence (Firenze) you will have so | | | | square which hosts the Giostra del Saracino (Saracen |
| much to see and do. The city sits on the same river | | | | Joust) festival twice a year. |
| that flows through Pisa, the River Arno. Florence is | | | | To the west of Arezzo is the town of Siena. You will |
| best known for being the birthplace of the Italian | | | | have to rejoin the A1 toll road south for about 30kms, |
| Renaissance. This made Florence on of the richest | | | | before turning west on the Raccordo Siena-Bettolle. |
| and most culturally important cities in the world during | | | | The whole distance covered is about 90kms. |
| the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. The evidence of this | | | | In Siena you will step into a medieval city that has a |
| period is still very much visible in the city today, | | | | long history dating from before the founding of Rome. |
| especially in the architecture. | | | | In fact the city is said to have been founded by Senius, |
| One of the most notable places to visit in the city | | | | son of Remus, of Romulus and Remus fame. The |
| would be Santa Maria del Fiore (aka Duomo di | | | | Siena Duomo is a must as it is one of the finest |
| Firenze), which is a very beautiful cathedral with a | | | | examples of Italian Romanesque architecture. Don't |
| dome that was a remarkable feat of engineer during | | | | forget to make some time to visit Piazza del Campo |
| the Renaissance. While at Santa Maria del Fiore, be | | | | which is the location of the biannual Palio horse race. |
| sure to head to the top of Giotto's Tower and enjoy | | | | Overlooking the square is the Torre del Mangia |
| unparalleled views over the city. The Uffizi is one of | | | | adjacent to the Palazzo Pubblico (Town Hall). |
| the most famous art galleries in the world. In the Uffizi | | | | |