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Summer taste of Tuscany
There is nothing quite like summer in Tuscany, spending sunny days exploring its rolling hills - scattered with umbrella pines, rustic farmhouses and olive groves - and visiting its fabulous ancient cities and hilltop towns. Nicola Iseard has the lowdown on the best places to visit
Siena - The perfect medieval city
The Sienese have been known to boast that theirs is the most perfect medieval city in the world, and it is hard to disagree.
It's architecturally stunning, with a never-ending maze of cobblestone alleyways, a magnificent shell-shaped piazza upon which the Torre del Mangia proudly stands. Its famous Duomo, which sits at the top of the highest hill in the city, is one of the greatest examples of Italian Romanesque architecture.
Step inside to admire the inlaid marble and mosaic floors and works of art by Pisano and Michelangelo. It is Duccio who is Siena's most renowned artist however, and his most celebrated work, the 14th-century Maesta, is displayed in the Museo dell'Opera.
There is another reason that Siena can claim to be the greatest medieval city - it stages the perfect medieval spectacle: the Palio, an awe-inspiring horserace held around the Piazza del Campo twice each summer.
Pisa - More than just a leaning tower
Ask anyone what they know about Pisa and they will undoubtedly tell you that is has a leaning tower. While the tower is, of course, a must-see (scale the 294 spiral steps to the top on a guided tour) there are plenty of other delights to explore in this truly elegant city.
Alongside the tower you'll find the marble Baptistery, which has a magnificent pulpit by Pisano, and the Camposanto (Holy Field), with rows of gravestones of VIP Pisans buried in holy soil. It makes for quite an intriguing visit. Sightseeing made you peckish? Pisa boasts an eating place for almost every day of the year. Tuck in and enjoy.
Florence - Packed with works of great finesse
From Brunelleschi's breathtaking dome to Michelangelo's David statue, carved from a 16ft slab of marble, Florence is packed with works of great finesse. Its museums will leave you spoilt for choice - as well as the Galleria dell 'Accademia, home to the David statue, visit the Gallerie degli Uffizi. It's often rated as one of the world's top museums, housing many masterpieces, including Leonardo da Vinci's Annunciation.
Make sure you don't spend all your time indoors, though - one of the best ways to soak up Florence is to walk it. From the Piazza del Duomo, head south towards the River Arno, crossing over the medieval Vecchio bridge, famous for still having shops along it, as was once common.
San Gimignano - The best hilltop town of them all
Tuscany is peppered with several walled hilltop towns, but none stand out so much as San Gimignano. Its 14 medieval towers rise high above the terracotta roofs and can be spotted from several kilometres away. Buy an ice cream from one of the gelaterias and get lost among its tangle of ancient winding streets, dotted with gift shops and art galleries.
Be sure to leave time to climb the 218 steps of the Torre Grosso, the town's highest tower - the sweeping views of patchwork fields stretching towards the horizon are magnificent.
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