FLORENCE
- This is the capital of the region of Tuscany, which
has a population of around half a million inhabitants,
and spreads on the banks of the River 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 network, it is easily
accessible from most important places both in Italy and
abroad. Florence's "Vespucci" airport, where
both national and international airlines operate from,
is located 5km from the city centre. The main motorway,
the A1, connects Florence with Bologna and Milano to the
North and Rome and Naples to 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 a 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 captivitating 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.
The Chianti area, between Florence and Siena, is one of
the most beautiful countrysides in Italy and a famous
wine production area.
PISA - Pisa is best known for the world-famous
Leaning Tower, but those who come here with their mind
already made up that the Tower is the only thing to see
in Pisa may miss the other architectural and artistic
marvels of this beautiful city. The long walk from the
Campo dei Miracoli to the train station is along a pedestrian
mall with many interesting sights, shops, and restaurants.
LUCCA
- Some time in your Tuscan adventure you may reach a point
where the next hill town looks like the one on Tuesday,
and you can't tell a Botticelli from a Raphael!! Now,
if this inexplicable malaise comes over you, the following
remedy is suggested. Change your luck in charming Lucca.
Perhaps the least known of the Tuscan cities, Lucca lies
off the beaten path. Most tourists whiz past it on the
autostrada in their haste to get to Pisa or the Cinqueterre,
but elegant Lucca will repay you for the detour. Once
the capital city of Tuscany, Lucca has jealously maintained
its independence for a number of centuries.
The citizens have nurtured a special pride that is evident
in their many churches, especially the unique grand Romanesque
cathedral. Lucca deserves at least three hours of your
time. Don't leave town until you've had a chance to walk
the ancient ramparts and enjoy a visit to the Puccini
museum honoring the town's favorite son. Even the most
exhausted Tuscan tourist can hopefully change his or her
luck in Lucca. If you have enjoyed your detour so far,
then don't stop now. To experience the most striking natural
terrain in all of Tuscany, head north from Lucca and enter
the foothills of the Apuan Alps, the region known as the
Garfagnana. Your first stop is the once-famous spa town
of Bagni di Lucca. This charming village on the River
Lima boasts impressive homes that recall grander days,
and is a fabulous place to enjoy a leisurely meal.
LE
CINQUE TERRE - Featuring 18km of sheer rocky coastline
in northern Italy, terraced hills and vineyards which
slope steeply down to the sea. Five little villages are
built into the rocks between the beach and the hills.
You can hike, swim, drink red wine, and watch blazing
Mediterranean sunsets away from the tourist throngs in
the Italian cities and the French Riviera. Centuries old
footpaths and mule tracks wind about 500 to 1,000 feet
above the sea, leading through olive groves and vineyards,
orchards and chestnut woods. Each village has its own
character and they are but a few minutes apart by train.
There are almost no cars as the villages are not easily
accessible by road, but the main railway between Rome
and Paris runs along the coast, mainly in tunnels.
HOTEL
CAESAR
Lido di Camaiore - Versilia
Viale Bernardini, 325
55043 Lido di Camaiore (LU)
tel: 0584 617841 - fax: 0584 610888 - email: info@caesarhotel.it
sito realizzato da [Studio
Informatico Toscano]
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 captivitating 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.
The Chianti area, between Florence and Siena, is one of
the most beautiful countrysides in Italy and a famous
wine production area.
PISA - Pisa is best known for the world-famous
Leaning Tower, but those who come here with their mind
already made up that the Tower is the only thing to see
in Pisa may miss the other architectural and artistic
marvels of this beautiful city. The long walk from the
Campo dei Miracoli to the train station is along a pedestrian
mall with many interesting sights, shops, and restaurants.
LUCCA
- Some time in your Tuscan adventure you may reach a point
where the next hill town looks like the one on Tuesday,
and you can't tell a Botticelli from a Raphael!! Now,
if this inexplicable malaise comes over you, the following
remedy is suggested. Change your luck in charming Lucca.
Perhaps the least known of the Tuscan cities, Lucca lies
off the beaten path. Most tourists whiz past it on the
autostrada in their haste to get to Pisa or the Cinqueterre,
but elegant Lucca will repay you for the detour. Once
the capital city of Tuscany, Lucca has jealously maintained
its independence for a number of centuries.
LE
CINQUE TERRE - Featuring 18km of sheer rocky coastline
in northern Italy, terraced hills and vineyards which
slope steeply down to the sea. Five little villages are
built into the rocks between the beach and the hills.
You can hike, swim, drink red wine, and watch blazing
Mediterranean sunsets away from the tourist throngs in
the Italian cities and the French Riviera. Centuries old
footpaths and mule tracks wind about 500 to 1,000 feet
above the sea, leading through olive groves and vineyards,
orchards and chestnut woods. Each village has its own
character and they are but a few minutes apart by train.
There are almost no cars as the villages are not easily
accessible by road, but the main railway between Rome
and Paris runs along the coast, mainly in tunnels.