Italy has to be one of the most charismatic and endearing countries in Europe. From the full flavoured wines to the awe inspiring architecture, everything is done with the same sense of passion and joie de vivre, which makes visiting Italy an experience everyone should have at least once in their lifetime. If you are deciding to take that step this year or are already hooked and returning for another fix, you may consider Tuscany in the north of Italy as your starting point.
Although Pisa Airport is the larger of the two, many people choose to fly to Florence Firenze Airport, especially as there are flights direct from Gatwick Airport. Those planning to make the most of their trip here should prearrange a car hire at Florence Airport, through one of the many companies that offer their services here including Autoeuropa, Avis, Budget, Elite, Europcar, Hertz, Maggiore, Sixt and Thrifty.
As the capital of Tuscany, Florence is a great place to begin, packed with splendid Renaissance architecture and partly encased within ancient medieval walls. The dome of the Santa Maria del Fiore is unmissable, particularly as it is the largest brick dome in the world, and the surrounding Campanile and Baptistery are equally as unforgettable. There are also plenty of cobbled streets and charming squares to stroll through, before stopping off to sample the gelato (ice cream to you and me).
Travel north of Florence and you enter straight into the Chianti region, famed for its full bodied wine. Here winding country roads open out to reveal amazing views onto the vineyards and olive orchards sprawled out below. Nestled in its heart is the bustling, little town of Greve, just a 35 minute drive from Florence, which is the perfect place to have a bite to eat and a small tipple of the local produce. Less then an hour further north is Siena. As one of Italy´s best preserved medieval towns, it is rich in Gothic buildings and has a very unusual central piazza called il Campo, which is shaped like a scallop shell. Dine in one of the many fabulous restaurants in the evening and sample local Sienese dishes such as crostini neri, fagioli all´uccelletto and pasta e fagioli, washed down, of course, with a glass of Chianti. Siena is also famous for The Palio, an annual horse race held round the Piazza del Campo, a tradition started in the 14th century and featured in the James Bond film "Quantum of Solace".
The next stop is Arezzo, 88km away and around an hour and 20 minute drive, which was the setting for yet another film, the Oscar winning "Life is Beautiful". More influenced by the medieval period then by the Renaissance, the town is slightly less flouncy and pretty then some, but the interesting sights and features make up for it. Both the cathedral here and Medici fortress are stunning but one of the main attractions is the La Leggenda della Vera Croce. This is the set of frescoes by Piero dell Francesca found in the church of San Francesco, which tells the story of the "True Cross". Other notable places to visit are the Museo Statale d´Arte Medievale e Moderna which houses Middle Age sculptures, paintings and a large selection of weapons and the Museo Archaeologico located alongside the ruins of a Roman amphitheatre.
Moving further towards the east coast of Italy and you come to the Republic of San Marino, 116km from Arezzo and a 2 hour journey. The capital of this country within a country is perched atop a tri-peaked mountain and makes for a breath-taking sight. Lined with fortresses, the largest of which, the 13th century Cesta, sits on the highest peak of Mount Titano and offers the best vantage point across the city and surrounding areas. It also has a museum of arms installed within. From here it´s just a 30 minute drive to Rimini. While it has its fair share of architectural and archaeological wonders, such as the The Arch of Augustus and 2nd century amphitheatre, the area is best known for its glorious beaches and lively nightlife and is considered the number one resort on the Adriatic Sea.
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