Tuscan Castle Package

Central Italy

Known all over the world for its ancient ruins and cosmopolitan atmosphere, Rome is the star attraction in Central Italy. But the rich history and cultural attractions do not stop there: Florence is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance and the rest of Tuscany is famous for its gastronomy, art, wine and charming small towns.

What to see:

Piazza del Duomo (Pisa)

Pisa's "Cathedral Square" is a walled area at the heart of the city that is recognized as one of the main centers for medieval art in the world. The cathedral, famed Leaning Tower, Baptistery and Camposanto are the main attractions.

Duomo

The first stone for Pisa's cathedral was laid by Buscheto in 1063, jumpstarting a new era in art by building what would become known as the Pisan Romanesque style. Unfortunately, a fire in 1595 destroyed much of the works in the church, but 16th-century Pisans had the foresight to hire some of the best Renaissance artists to refurbish the collection.

http://www.opapisa.it/

Leaning Tower of Pisa (Torre Pendente di Pisa)

Originally conceived as a freestanding bell tower to Pisa's cathedral, this structure dates from 1173 and started leaning soon afterward due to subsidence of the ground underneath its base. A popular tourist activity is to poser for photographs pretending to "hold up" the 186-foot tower so that it appears as though the subject is preventing it from falling.

http://www.opapisa.it/

Baptistery (Pisa)

Dating from 1153, Pisa's Baptistery is Italy's largest. In fact, if you include the statue on top, the building is actually larger than the Torre Pendente di Pisa across the square. The interior is plain, but the Gothic dome that dates from the 1300s is elaborately decorated.

http://www.opapisa.it/

Camposanto Monumentale (Pisa)

This monumental cemetery is said to have been built around a shipload of sacred soil from Golgotha, brought back to Pisa from the Fourth Crusade during the 12th century. Many famous Pisans are buried here. The cemetery was heavily bombed during WWII, but the charred remains of frescoes are now housed in a museum in Pisa, Museo delle Sinopie.

http://www.opapisa.it

Teatro Romano (Volterra)

The impressive remains of Volterra's Roman theater and baths are some of the best-preserved Roman remains in Italy. The monuments, which lie on a natural slope of elevation, were unearthed in the 1950's and date from the first century BC.

http://www.teatroromanovolterra.it/

Porta all'Arco (Volterra)
This city guilt out of massive volcanic stones in the 4th century BC back when the town walls stretched four miles around, nearly twice as big as they are now. During World War II, just before intense fighting began against the Nazis in 1944, Volterran partisans saved the gate from destruction by filling it with stones overnight.

Museo Etrusco Guarnacci (Volterra)

This museum is filled from top to bottom with Etruscan art. A prehistoric section has Villanovan tombs and there are Roman busts and mosaic floors, but the largest collection is hundreds of Etruscan funerary urns that date from the 3rd century BC.

Chianti Classico Wine Region

Located between Florence and Siena, the Chianti region is home to picturesque villages, wineries and countryside. The famed Chianti and Chianti Classico wines are produced here, making this a favored destination for those looking to do some tasting.

San Gimignano

This classic medieval hill town is known as the "City of Beautiful Towers" because it has 14 surviving towers, serving up a fascinating skyline. But originally there were over 70 towers, which were all built by patrician families to demonstrate their wealth and power. The historic center of the town has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site for its architecture.

Siene

This classic medieval hill town in Tuscany is famous for it's fan-shaped plaza and summer horse race, Il Palio. Dominating the plaza is a bell tower, the Torre del Mangia, and the rest of the city has a handful of museums and churches to explore.

Lucca

This small city has one of the best-preserved city walls in Italy, on top of which are walking and bicycling paths. Walk around the historic center or climb several historic towers for fabulous views.

Cortona

Francis Mayes made this Tuscan hill town famous in her book "Under the Tuscan Sun." Surrounded by 3,000-year-old walls, Cortona retains much of its history through its medieval architecture.

Montepulciano

Set on a sloping limestone ridge, Montepulciano is a small, walled town known for the wine called Vino Nobile. It also has one of the most impressive main square sin Tuscany, nnotable for its many beautiful Renaissance buildings.

Pienza

This Renaissance town in Tuscany is famous as the birthplace of Pope Pius II and for its pecorino cheese. The Pope's family home, Palazzo Piccolomini, is located in the heart of town near a cathedral also dedicated to him.

Val D'Orcia

This beautiful valley in southern Tuscany extends from Siena to Monte Amiata and is characterized by gentle, carefully cultivated hills. Home to the towns of Pienza, Montepulciano and Montalcino, the entire valley has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its Renaissance architecture and planning.

http://www.siena.turismo.toscana.it/