Things to Do in Tuscany

In 1596, Ferdinando I de’ Medici, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, commissioned famous Italian architect architect Bernardo Buontalenti to build a hunting villa, which quickly became the court and estate of the Grand Duke and Duchess. Today, Villa Artimino is one of twelve villas and two gardens collectively granted UNESCO World Heritage status.

This particular villa has the unusual nickname of the villa of 100 chimneys. Since Ferdenando I suffered from gout, numerous fireplaces were incorporated into the villa’s design, and their chimneys are visible from miles away. The interior of the estate still contains many of its original frescoes, furnishings and — perhaps most interesting of all — a roasting spit designed by Leonardo da Vinci.

Piazza della Repubblica is one of the most important and elegant squares in the heart of Florence, lined with porticoed 19th-century palazzi, Grand Dame hotels, high-end boutiques, bustling restaurants, and historic cafes. A stroll through this beautiful public space is a must during any Florence sightseeing tour.

Florence's main square is located on the site of the city's ancient Roman Forum, which later became the market square dedicated to commerce while the Piazza del Duomo was the center of religious and civic affairs and Piazza della Signoria was the city's political heart. A warren of narrow lanes crowded with buildings, churches, towers, and palaces sprang up in the area surrounding the market square, a portion of which became the Jewish ghetto. Today's sweeping space was created by razing almost all of this neighborhood as part of a 19th-century urban renewal project during the brief period when Florence was capital of the newly united nation of Italy. Today the only original architectural detail that remains is the 15th-century Colonna dell'Abbondanza, marking the historic center of the square.

Piazza della Repubblica is generally included in private or small-group Florence walking tours, or Florence tours by Segway or electric bike. In addition to this landmark square, skip-the-line Florence highlights tours may include the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Michelangelo's David statue in the Accademia Gallery (Galleria dell'Accademia), Piazzale Michelangelo, Palazzo Vecchio, the Florence Duomo, and Santa Croce (Basilica di Santa Croce).

Piazza della Repubblica is located in the historic city center of Florence, just a short stroll down the Via Roma pedestrian thoroughfare from the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo). 

The square is a lively spot to visit year-round, but during the winter holidays many of the shops and businesses surrounding the square are decorated with abundant fairy lights, making it especially magical at night.

At the end of the 19th century, the literary cafes lining Piazza della Repubblica became a meeting place for Florentine scholars, writers, and artists. Many of these spots are still open more than a century later; among the most famous are Giubbe Rosse and Gilli.

If you’ve ever seen a picture of the Tuscan countryside—softly rolling hills, towering cypress trees, winding country roads, and quaint hill towns—chances are that you were looking at the Val d'Orcia. This unique landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered among the loveliest in Italy, and the wines produced here are among Italy’s best.

The Val d'Orcia, a favorite subject of Renaissance painters and modern photographers, covers a small area of Tuscany between the town of Siena and Mount Amiata, and is known for its beautiful landscapes, medieval towns, and excellent cuisine. Take a Val d'Orcia tour to visit the villages of Montalcino and Montepulciano, and to sample their local Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines—perhaps paired with pecorino cheeses from nearby Pienza—during a wine tasting session. Other delightful small towns worth a visit on a private tour of the Val d'Orcia are San Quirico d'Orcia, famous for its olive oil, and Bagno Vignoni, home to historic thermal baths. 

Val d'Orcia is located about an hour south of Florence and is an easy day trip from Rome, Florence, Pisa, San Gimignano, and Siena. There is little public transportation between the towns and wineries in this area, so by far the best way to explore is by joining a small-group tour with transportation included.

The Val d'Orcia is lovely year-round but is particularly interesting to visit in the fall, when the grapes and olives are harvested and many towns hold wine and olive oil festivals.

The Val d'Orcia is just one of many areas in Tuscany known for its striking scenery. The stark chalk hills of the Crete Senesi and the wooded countryside of Chianti are also beautiful—and are equally popular wine tour destinations.

The Vasari Corridor (Corridoio Vasariano), designed by Giorgio Vasari in the 16th century, is an elevated medieval passageway connecting Palazzo Vecchio and the Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti), each set on opposite banks of the Arno River in Florence. Snaking through and along many of the city's landmarks, the near-mile-long, elevated walkway was once a secret, used by the Medici family to travel unnoticed through Florence. Today, it is an art gallery, home to Italy’s most important collection of self-portraits. Visitors can admire views over the river from its large windows running over the Ponte Vecchio.

This near mile-long walkway is only accessible via small-group guided tours, rendering gallery visits a rare and coveted experience. Official corridor tours are limited to a maximum of one hour for groups of no more than 25, and booking in advance is a must. A literal walk through history, tours take visitors through the Uffizi Gallery; across the river in an enclosed passageway running atop the Ponte Vecchio; along a private balcony in the Church of Santa Felicita; and into the Boboli Gardens, as it extends to the interior of the Pitti Palace. Vasari Corridor tours can be combined with a skip-the-line Uffizi Gallery tour and a private tour of the Pitti Palace museums.

Entrance to the Vasari Corridor is in the western hall on the second floor of the Uffizi Gallery, located in the heart of Florence next to the Palazzo Vecchio. The museum is a 10-minute walk from Santa Maria Novella train station. From there, walk down Via Cerretani until you reach Piazza del Duomo and then take Via Calzaiuoli toward Piazza della Signoria. When facing Palazzo Vecchio, head to the right to find the Uffizi Gallery.

Access to the Vasari Corridor is only available via advance reservations as part of small-group tours led by professional tour guides, so crowds are not an issue even in summer; you can expect a quiet and nearly private visit. As such, space is limited and tours frequently sell out, so if visiting in spring, summer, or fall when there is more demand, be sure to book your tour ahead of time.

More than 1,000 artworks line the corridor halls, including a famous collection of self-portraits that dates back to the 16th century and features paintings by European greats such as Bernini, Guido Reni, Rubens, Ingres, and Delacroix.

Arguably the most picturesque—and steepest—of all the Cinque Terre villages, Vernazza is indeed a striking sight: snaking narrow lanes and a crescent-shaped harbor are framed by forested peaks and glittering Mediterranean waters. Visitors can stroll the scenic waterfront, snap photos of the charming pastel-colored buildings, and explore a medieval castle before heading down to the sandy beach for a refreshing swim in the sea. 

 

Vernazza makes a good base for exploring Cinque Terre National Park, which encompasses all five Cinque Terre towns, and for enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and paragliding along the Italian Riviera. Day tours to Vernazza run from La Spezia, Siena, Lucca, and Florence, and typically include visits to the neighboring villages of Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, and Manarola, as well as a stop in nearby Portovenere. Cruise ship passengers can opt for a shore excursion from Genoa. 

Located in Cinque Terre National Park, between Corniglia and Monterosso al Mare along the Italian Riviera, Vernazza is a 2.5-hour drive from Florence or a 45-minute drive from La Spezia. Parking is limited in Vernazza, so unless you are staying in town overnight, it’s best to join a tour or arrive by train from La Spezia (a 20-minute ride). Alternatively, from mid-April through October, ferries connect Vernazza with La Spezia, Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore, and Manarola. 

Vernazza and the rest of the Cinque Terre see the most visitors and highest temperatures—upwards of 100°F (40°C)—in summer. Hikers should aim to visit in May or September to avoid the peak heat, while budget-minded travelers might want to skip August, when hotel prices skyrocket. Visiting in winter is possible, but some hiking trails may be inaccessible in heavy rain or icy conditions. 

Vernazza is best known for its colorfully painted houses, but the cliffside village is also home to some impressive historic monuments. Get a panoramic perspective from medieval Doria Castle, built to protect the town from pirates; admire the Church of Santa Margherita d’Antiochia, which dates back to the 14th century; or hike into the mountains to take in the views from the Sanctuary of Madonna di Reggio.

Via Cavour is one of the main roads in the historical center of Florence, Italy. It was named in 1861 when two ancient streets, Via Larga and Via San Leopoldo, were joined. Visitors walking down certain sections of the street should look closely for plaques commemorating well-known people who once lived here. At the south end of the street is the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, which was once home to the famous Medici family during the Renaissance. Today it is a museum of art and architecture covering more than 400 years of Florence's history. 

Several other museums are located on Via Cavour, such as the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum and the Crime Museum. Along Via Cavour, you will find plenty of hotels, restaurants, and shops as well as apartment buildings. You'll also see the Museum and Convent of San Marco. The road passes through Piazza San Marco as it heads north, eventually meeting up with Piazza della Liberta.

The main thoroughfare running through historic Lucca is Via Fillungo, one of the liveliest streets in town. It stretches from the Porta dei Borghi (one of the ancient gates in Lucca's pristine city walls) to Canto d'Arco. The street is lined with shops and cafes, making it a magnet for tourist activity as well as for locals.

 

Some of the attractions along this pretty street include the 11th-century Church of San Cristoforo and Palazzo Manzi. The famous clock tower is not far away, and from the top of that tower you get an excellent view down Via Fillungo.

A rock music temple if there ever was one, the Hard Rock brand doesn't require an introduction; not with 170 establishments worldwide! Both a restaurant, a bar and a museum, this peculiar Florence attraction draws in rock music aficionados thanks to an impressive collection of authentic memorabilia and mouth-watering American-themed menu (something seldom found in all of Italy). Loud rock music, a relaxed atmosphere, original cocktails and humongous quantities of food await at Florence's most American institution.

Golden records, guitars, costumes and other iconic memorabilia can be found at the restaurant's two-floor museum. Some of the most popular items include Jimmy Hendrix's hippie shirt, Diana Ross' Supremes-era doll, an old Cavern Club membership card (signed by all of the Far Four), a handwritten draft of Prince's "The Glamorous Life," Michael Jackson's rhinestone-bedecked pants, one of Elvis Presley's red shirts, a bass that belonged to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Runaways' Lita Ford's red teddy.

The brand's most loyal fans will certainly want to stop at the restaurant's gift shop, where they will be able to extend their pin collection"”a popular tradition for Hard Rock fans is to get a guitar-shaped pin every time they visit a new location"”with one from Florence.