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Mark Twain once famously wrote that ‘Florence is a poem in stone and colour’, a sentiment echoed by the singer Andrea Bocelli who remarked that ‘In Florence, every street is a museum’. Most of today’s visitors are sure to agree with them as they set about appreciating the city’s key attractions right up close whilst meandering through its winding cobblestone streets before finishing up with a refreshing drink in one of its many leafy piazzas. But despite all its amazing architectural gems, a trip to Florence is as much about discovering some of the hidden gems to be found in the surrounding Tuscan countryside – places like Lucca, San Gimignano, Siena and Arezzo, to name just a few.
The best way to combine a few days’ sightseeing in Florence with a relaxing drive into the city’s idyllic environs is by renting a car from a reliable operator such as Auto Europe, a company that has been at the forefront of the international car rental industry for over seventy years. By carrying out a quick search in the Auto Europe booking engine, you’ll be able to compare the rates of all the local vehicle providers in Florence whilst taking advantage of their regular promotions and bargains such as GPS included, weekend specials and free additional drivers. With Auto Europe, you’ll also be able to book a one-way car hire offer, thus allowing you to pick up your vehicle in Florence and drop it off somewhere else, such as Pisa, Bologna or even the capital, Rome, for added convenience.
Fantastic Florence!
Aristocratic and very proud, Florence is a true monument to the Renaissance period and a city that must be seen to be believed. One of the world’s great artistic capitals, a large number of its museums, galleries, churches and monuments are encompassed within a compact area in and around the city’s historic core, the Centro Storico, which was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
It’s certainly an impressive fact that the world’s greatest concentration of universally-renowned architectural masterpieces exist in this, the most ancient part of Florence. Here you’ll find the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Baptistery and the Campanile of Giotto, Piazza della Signoria (dominated by Palazzo Vecchio and the Palazzo Uffizi), Santa Maria Novella, San Lorenzo, Santa Croce and the Pazzi chapel, Santo Spirito, San Miniato and the Convent of San Marco, the latter of which houses some of Fra Angelico’s rarest paintings.
Despite all these unique attractions, for many people Florence is mostly synonymous with its iconic and very photogenic Ponte Vecchio, one of the world’s most famous bridges. Best photographed at sunset, this strikingly-beautiful three-arched bridge was built in 1345 and continues to be popular for its antique and specialised jewellery shops that have been catering for curious visitors for many hundreds of years.
For art lovers, Florence is a dream come true with many prized pieces on display in the city’s illustrious museums and galleries, such as Michaelangelo’s Statue of David in the Galleria dell’Accademia and Botticelli’s Birth of Venus at the Uffizi.
The Treasures of Tuscany
Besides all the charm of its larger cities (chiefly Florence, Prato, Livorno and Pisa), the Tuscany region is bursting with places of immense tourist interest, from the quaint little fishing villages of the enchanting Etruscan Coast to the verdant vineyards of the Chianti wine region.
Notable for its old buildings and narrow cobblestone streets, Lucca boasts a wonderfully picturesque Old Town protected within its preserved Renaissance walls. It is also a city of magnificent medieval churches, including the Cattedrale di San Martino and the elaborate Church of San Michele in Foro founded in 1143.
Another precious jewel in the region’s glittering crown is San Gimignano, the quintessential Tuscan hill town which has been capturing the traveller’s imagination for hundreds of years due to the dozen or so medieval towers that punctuate its picture-book skyline.
The city of Siena, likewise, is another pearl of a Tuscan city that began to prosper in the 12th century and reached its cultural peak in the 13th and 14th centuries. Filled with precious artworks, its cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, while the nearby Pinacoteca Nazionale (National Gallery) features many masterpieces from the 12th to the 16th centuries.
Buon Appetito!
Tuscany is renowned for its culinary delights and a leisurely drive through the region gives visitors the chance to savour the many wonders to be found at the Chianti wineries which produce many of the world’s most popular table wines. This area is renowned for its Sangiovese-based red wines, particularly the very popular Chianti Classico which is ranked highly by wine connoisseurs on account of its rich mix of flavours and aromas. The region is also known for its food pairings, with Bistecca alla Florentina (Florentine steak) being a perfect match.
Other popular Tuscan dishes include Crostini Toscani (a classic Tuscan appetiser of freshly-made bread topped with a rich and very delicious chicken liver pâté) and Pappa al Pomodoro, a traditional Tuscan tomato and bread soup.
You can try these regional specialities and so more at many of Florence’s most popular restaurants, the list of which is endless but features renowned eateries like Trattoria Omero located on Via Pian dei Giullari where typical home-made Tuscan-style dishes dominate the menu.
For a less rustic but more upmarket dining experience, try Enoteca Pinchiorri on Via Ghibellina, arguably one of the best restaurants in the whole of the Tuscany region and an establishment renowned for its high standards and loyal clientele, not to mention the amazing wine list!
Rooms with a View
When touring Tuscany by car you’ll find that the beauty of this magnificent part of central Italy is matched by a good selection of characteristic accommodation, from good-value pensiones to stately buildings fit for a king.
One of the top hotels in Florence is the timeless Helvetia & Bristol which oozes palatial splendour in a prime location close to the cathedral in the heart of the city. A more affordable option is the Hotel La Scaletta with its panoramic rooftop terrace affording city views as far as the eye can see.
Visiting the area with the comfort and convenience of their vehicle gives travellers the chance to enjoy the region’s spectacular scenery whilst immersing themselves in an authentic Italian travel experience. The choice of accommodation in this part of the country is wide-ranging and extensive, from lavish villas overlooking the Etruscan Coast to superb spa resorts high up in the Tuscan hills.
One such place is the Grotta Giusti, a thermal spa hotel just a 30-minute drive from both Florence and Lucca where relaxation is a prerequisite and rejuvenation the order of the day. There are many other authentic rustic-style Tuscan hideaways for you to consider during your trip, such as the Relais La Suvera just to the west of Siena and the Albergo Pietrasanta located a short distance from the historic city of Lucca.