Classic Tuscany

Florence is undisputedly the star of Tuscany, and the city’s bold terracotta Duomo defines one of the most iconic skylines in all of Italy. The city may be small but with so much treasure packed into the Renaissance palaces, wonderful churches and incredible galleries it really takes some exploring. The world-renowned Uffizi Gallery is home to such treasures as Michaelangelo’s David and Botticelli’s Adoration of the Magi amongst many other priceless pieces. One of Florence’s other pleasures is its cuisine: fiorentina dishes celebrate the best produce found in the region.

This impressive gallery contains some of Venice’s finest masterpieces from the 14^th to 18^th centuries, with works by Canaletto, Titian and Bellini amongst many others. The Accademia was a former art school founded in 1750 – learn all about this intriguing history and explore over 24 rooms filled with glorious artwork

Stunning Siena is the embodiment of a beautiful Gothic city. Siena’s maze of medieval streets snake away from its central piazza, which fans out like a scallop shell; its dramatic cathedral wears its eyecatching stripes boldly both inside and out, and at every twist and turn towers soar into the skies. Despite having an incredible collection of unmissable art works within these ancient walls, Siena is no museum: this vibrant city buzzes with characterful restaurants, divine pastry shops and colourful boutiques.

Siena’s Cathedral is a masterpiece and one of Italy’s finest examples of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, as spectacular on the exterior as well as the interior. The interior of Siena’s Baptistry of San Giovanni dates back to 1325 with remarkable sculptures and paintings from the 15th century, the most famous being a font, a masterpiece from the early Tuscan Renaissance.

Famed for its rejuvenating thermal waters, this spa town has been a firm favourite with the rich and famous for an age; you can follow suit and soak your troubles away in one of the many health spas on offer. You could also take the funicular railway to the hilltop village of Montecatini Alto, where you’ll be spoilt for choice with exquisite churches, an art academy containing 150 marvellous works, and unrivalled views of the landscape.

With its imposing 16^th century ramparts still wrapped around the compact village, this Tuscan town wears its air of uniqueness with fierce pride – it was an independent city-state until the mid-1800s. A jewel of medieval architecture, the town emanates charm and history. Highlights include Puccini’s House, the Cathedral, and the Palazzo Pfanner, which has a wonderful Italian-style garden and a house with 18^th century frescoes in monumental halls.

Another example of fine Gothic and Romanesque design, Church San Martino’s exterior has the same spectacular polychrome marble facade as the cathedral in Pisa. Featuring an elegant portico, arcades and beautifully decorated doors, the Church houses a unique equestrian sculpture dated circa 1240.