Cities
[edit]
- 1 Florence (Firenze) — a cultural, artistic and architectural gem that was the centre of the Renaissance; it is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site - 2 Calenzano — the mediaeval centre of Calenzano is still enclosed by walls
- 3 Empoli
— - 4 Fiesole — this wealthy suburb boasts one of the best views of the city of Florence
- 5 Greve — home to several Chianti wineries
- 6 Rufina — centre of the Chianti Rufina denomination of red wines
- 7 San Casciano in Val di Pesa — a renowned cent for the production of its wines, extra virgin olive oil, and other agricultural products
- 8 Scandicci —
- 9 Tavarnelle Val di Pesa — a beautiful old town with city walls
Other destinations
[edit]- 1 Mugello — the green heart of Tuscany has castles and medieval villages
- Valdarno — an area southeast of Florence:
- 10 Incisa Val d'Arno —
- 11 Reggello — famous for olive oil production, and home to the Abbey of Vallombrosa and the Castle of Sammezzano
Understand
[edit]Get in
[edit]Much of its territory lies in the plain of the Arno river and has thus become an exurban sprawl around the city of Florence. The northeastern part of the metropolitan city, in the Apennine mountains, remains less developed.
Get around
[edit]See
[edit]The City of Florence is the highlight of the province. It's packed with so many museums, churches, and mediaeval buildings, you have to remind yourself to take some time to enjoy the ambience, and a gelato, or a caffè.
The Medici Villas and Gardens north of Fiesole are a UNESCO World Heritage site consisting of 16 major and 11 minor villas owned by the powerful Medici family in the 15th-17th centuries. One of the most known is the Medici Villa of Pratolino with a giant statue of Colossus in the publicly accessible gardens.
Do
[edit]Itineraries
[edit]Seven Bridge Road in Valdsrno. 49 km (30 miles). Between Reggello (FI) and Arezzo there is an ancient scenic route that up to the 13th century was the main method of transportation in the area, then following the move of the various castles in the valley, gradually lost its original importance, to become a route loved by cyclists and joggers. The Setteponti is also known as the street of churches, starting with S. Pietro in Cascia, home of a masterful triptych by the world famous artist, Masaccio; then the parish church of Santa Maria in PiandiScò; and then continuing with Badia a Soffena in Castelfranco di Sopra; the parish of Loro Ciuffenna just outside Gropina; and St. Justin. Car traffic is minimal on this road and the various curves make smooth the path where you can admire fantastic views over the valley to the villages along the road. Also you can admire the "Balze of Valdarno" with their pinnacle and spire of rocks that represent a characteristic landscape, but little known, of the Valdarno, that deserves to be seen. Leonardo da Vinci remained fascinated and he represented it in some of his paintings, like in the background landscape of the Mona Lisa. Step in the midst of endless olive trees interspersed here and there by vines, forage crops and olive trees, while in the more pronounced slope one finds thick green patches of vegetation.
Eat
[edit]It can be very difficult finding a good restaurant open from about 14:00 to 19:00.
Vegetarians and vegans should have no problem eating in Florence as staff at Italian restaurants tend to be very accommodating. Try ribollita, a regional specialty vegetable soup. 100 percent vegan and delicious. Pizza in Italy (and authentic Italian restaurants elsewhere) do not use dairy products or eggs in their dough.