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Regions of Italy : Tuscany - Toscana

Tuscany is a charmed land, equally blessed by the genius of man and nature, and often by the combined efforts of both. Think of the vineyards: rows of baby green vines that manage somehow to march in arrow-straight formation up the gently rolling hillsides, bounded by single files of darker green cypress trees, snaking sandy roads leading to rust-colored farmhouses and moss-coated castles, symmetrically rounded hilltops surmounted by towns so homogeneous as to seem one single building. Every inch of land has been sculpted, first by the elements and then by generations of inhabitants whose goals were always twofold: make the land produce as much as possible, make the land as beautiful as possible. Tuscany enchants us today because it holds together as a region, from the tiniest hamlet to Florence the Magnificent. For the living proof, take a short walk one day along the sides of the Belvedere in Florence: you will leave behind the traffic and suddenly find yourself strolling down quiet lanes bounded by tall stone walls, cypress trees and creamy-colored villas. You could be anywhere in Tuscany, and we dare you not to fantasize about living here.

Territory: The region stretches over the slopes of the Apennines, in front of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Tuscan landscape is mainly mountainous and hilly, with a flat area beside the sea (the Maremma). The coastline presents different aspects, offering both long sandy expanses and headlands. In front of the coast there are the small enchanting islands of the Tuscan archipelago.

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Cities: Florence is the capital of Tuscany. Other important cities are Siena, Pisa, Arezzo, Pistoia, Lucca, Livorno, Grosseto, Massa Carrara.

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Sofitel Hotel FlorenceSofitel Hotel Florence 
Sofitel Hotel is located in the city of Florence and is very close to the historic centre, Dantes house, the Cathedral and the most elegant streets. It is only a few yards from the main train station. Golf course, sports centre and other activities are nearby the hotel. All the 84 guestrooms are well equipped and furnished with modern amenities. The hotel also offers a meeting room, which can accommodate up to 10 people. It also features Il Patio restaurant and La Simpatia bar where you can enjoy regional cuisine and wide selection of drinks in an elegant and pleasant atmosphere.

Art: Tuscany is unrivaled as a cradle of all-time art. One can find examples of every age and style: from the Etruscan civilization (Fiesole, Chiusi, Volterra, Populonia) to Roman monuments and ruins; from the Romanesque architecture to the impressive Gothic cathedrals, to the exceptional artistic explosion of the Renaissance.

Guided Visit to the Accademia Gallery Florence
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Michelangelo! The Accademia Gallery in Florence attracts visitors from all over the world to gaze upon masterpieces by famous artists, especially Michelangelo's most famous work - the statue of David. Come see for yourself the superb collections the Gallery has to offer. Why not combine this tour with a tour of the amazing Uffizi Gallery?
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Museums: Florence has preserved its masterpieces and great works of architecture over the centuries. The most important collection of paintings in the world is offered by the Uffizi Gallery; visitors can enter the very interesting Designs and Print Room; the collection of self-portraits. Great paintings can be seen in the Gallery of Palazzo Pitti, with Tiziano’s and Raffaello’s masterpieces. Florence also has the Museum of the Costume and the Museum of the Carriages; the beautiful Italian gardens can be admired in the Giardino di Boboli. In the Museum of the Opera del Duomo the famous "Pietà" by Michelangelo can be admired. Then, there are the Museum of the Bargello, St. Mark’s Museum, the Academy Gallery and the Ethnologic Museum Stibbert. Pisa, an ancient Roman naval base and maritime republic, has the Museum of the Sinopie, which holds the preparatory drawings for the frescoes, and the National Museum of St. Matteo. Siena is a well-preserved medieval city; here there are the Civic Museum, which houses the Histories of Alexander III, the Museum of the Opera Metropolitana and the Pinacoteca Nazionale, with Senese painting. Tradition and art are strong everywhere: in Arezzo the Gallery and the Medieval and Modern Museum can be visited.

The Uffizi - The greatest art gallery in Italy - it's as simple as that.

The Uffizi  FlorenceOccupying the top floor of a large building erected by Giorgio Vasari between 1560 and 1580, the gallery has a large collection of Primitive and Renaissance paintings. Amongst the pieces are works by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello, Giotto, Cimabue and Masaccio.

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To be visited: In addition to art, Tuscany offers outstanding nature sceneries, such as the National Park of the Argentario and the Isola of Elba. In Siena there is the beautiful Piazza del Campo. In Florence there are the fifteenth-century shops on the Ponte Vecchio. Pisa has the Campo dei Miracoli, with the famous Leaning Tower.

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Grand Duomo Hotel PisaGrand Duomo Hotel Pisa 
The Grand Duomo hotel is in a perfect location, just 50 metres from the Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli. The hotel is modern in design and resembling much of the architecture of Pisa. All of 94 rooms are equipped with all modern comforts. The roof garden at the hotel is a flower-filled oasis with a perfect view overlooking the town.
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Our visit to Tuscany will help you navigate through its many world-famed attractions, but it will also introduce you to some of its lesser-known jewels. Italy's most skilled cowboys, for instance. Or a host of colorful outdoor food markets. Spectacular natural parks. A mystery church, an ancient Etruscan mineral spa, a dozen Last Suppers in Florence...... and a thousand narrow farm roads waiting patiently for you to make the wrong turn and find your own secret treasure, basking happily in the Tuscan sun.

Discovering Tuscan Flavours
Tuscany lies the southern region of Italy and is well worth a visit. Start by visiting the small village of Lari in the district of Pisa, 443 feet (135 meters) above sea level. See the ancient Vicari castle right in the center of town, also visit Volterra, a city founded by the Etruscans. Earlier in the day take the opportunity to sample wines and local produce from the area.
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Siena

Siena may be the best-preserved medieval city in Italy, thanks to its conquest by Florence nearly 500 years ago. While the Florentines were busy launching the Renaissance, the Senese played the role of country cousins--and as a result, Siena (or at least the walled portion of the city) still looks much as it did in the Middle Ages.

Many tourists regard Siena as being worth a day trip from Florence or a half-day stopover on a tour of rural Tuscany. That's a mistake. You should allow at least two days to visit Siena's major churches and museums, plus another day simply to enjoy the unique atmosphere of this historic but lively university town.

Inhabited continuously for over a thousand years, Siena flourished in the Late Middle Ages when the merchant oligarchy known as "the Nine" spent vast sums in order to create the most beautiful and impressive city in Tuscany. The many churches, palaces and military fortifications which survive from this period bear witness to the magnificence and sophistication of Sienese civilization. Most interesting are the wonderful black-and-white Gothic Duomo (don’t miss the magnificent Bernini statue of Mary Magdalene hidden away in a niche or the dazzling mosaics on the floor), the Palazzo Pubblico (for its impressive frescoes) and the Torre del Mangia you can climb for a nice view over the city.

If you’re there at the beginning of July or in the middle of August try not to miss the world-famous the palio . A tradition dating from the Renaissance it takes place in the Piazza del Campo a marvelous shopping plaza in the shape of a half-shell whose circumference is topped on race day with a layer of dirt to create a track.

For those interested in nightlife - Siena is a fantastic city in which to eat - amble into any restaurant and you won't be disappointed.

Best Western Executive Hotel SienaBest Western Executive Hotel Siena  
The Best Western Hotel Executive is a modern, comfortable hotel located in a quiet residential area between the railway station and a major conference centre. The hotel is also close to the historic town centre. Guests can take advantage of frequent buses to area attractions and terminals. The interior, designed to meet every comfort with excellent heating and air conditioning, makes any type of stay at the Hotel Executive whether it be for work or for pleasure, as enjoyable as possible.

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Private Walking Tour of Siena - The Golden Years
Discover Lorenzetti's frescoes, Nicola Pisano's pulpit, Duccio's Maesta and much more on a fantastic walking tour of the artistic highlights of Siena. Let your expert guide educate you on the finer points of Italian art as you stroll leisurely through the piazzas of Siena.

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Prato

Capital city of the province of Prato since 1993, Prato is situated 61 meters above sea level in the plain which is traversed by the Bisenzio River between Pistoia and Florence. An important industrial center (textiles, manufacturing, chemical and mechanical sectors), it possesses notable Medieval and Renaissance monuments of historical and artistic value. These are well-conserved thanks to the circuit of walls built in the 1300's.

The Cathedral of S. Stefano, emerging from the pieve of the same name from the High Middle Ages, was begun in the 13th century by Giudetto da Como and amplified in Gothic style in the 14th century. The elegant façade with white and green stripes presents a beautiful doorway ornamented by a terracotta by Andrea della Robbia. On the right corner stands the Pulpit of The Sacred Belt. This canopied pulpit was created by Michelozzo in the 15th century and decorated by seven valuable tiles by Donatello. Alongside the transept stands the bell tower, which is decorated by bifore and trifore. The three-naved interior, with green marble columns, conserves its Romanesque character. Among the notable works of art are the Pulpit by Mino da Fiesole and Antonio Rossellino (15th century) the grandiose fresco cycle by Filippino Lippi and Paolo Uccello (15th century), and the sculptured works by Benedetto da Maiano. In the Chapel of The Sacred Belt, alongside the 15th-century façade one can admire the frescoes of Agnolo Gaddi and the Madonna with Child by Giovanni Pisano. Alongside the Cathedral is the Museum of the Works of the Duomo, located in the Medieval Episcopal Palace. Besides furnishings and sacred objects, the museum displays paintings, sculptures and frescoes by Filippino Lippi, Paolo Uccello, and Spinello Aretino. From the museum, one reaches the characteristic 12th-century cloister, which is decorated with frescoes, sculptures and marble inlays. Closed Tuesdays.

The central Piazza del Comune is dominated by the imposing Pretorial Palace, rising out of 13th and 14th-century houses. This building, crowned with merle-work and decorated with elegant tri-lobed bifore, houses the Communal Art Gallery. The Gallery exposes important works from the Tuscan, Neapolitan, Roman and Dutch Schools. Closed temporarily for repairs.

The piazza is enclosed on two sides by the doorway of the Communal Palace, in which the public can view the Council Chamber (1300's) and the Gallery of Medici portraits. Only by appointment.

Near the Commune (or Town Hall) is the Renaissance S. Maria delle Carceri, begun done by Giuliano da Maiano in 1484 and finished by Giuliano da Sangallo in 1495. The harmonious construction, in the form of a Greek cross surmounted by a dome, contains glazed terracotta decorated made by Andrea della Robbia (1492).

In the Piazza della Carceri stands the imposing Castle of the Emperor, also called S. Barbara Fortress. Built by Federico II in the 13th century, it is the only example of Swedish architecture in central-western Italy. The impressive merled building, on a square plan, incloses a vast courtyard today used for performances. From the walkway on the walls one can enjoy a beautiful panorama of the city. Closed Sunday afternoons and Mondays.

Art Hotel Museo PratoArt Hotel Museo Prato  
Located only 15 minutes from the historical centre of Prato, the hotel is a pleasant place to stay for business travellers or tourists alike. Guestrooms include all the standard modern comforts. Guests can have a drink in the American bar and eat in the Art Restaurant, where they can sample the best traditional dishes in Tuscany. The hotel offers a swimming pool, fitness centre and conference facilities.
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Cortona - The Etruscan Town

The Etruscan town welcomes its visitors not only on behalf of the "Lucumoni" (the ancient Etruscan lords), but also on behalf of its popular patron saint, Saint Margaret of Cortona along with San Francis of Assisi who founded the hermitic monastery of "Le Celle" in Cortona.
It was one of the most evolved medieval city-states, still profuse with pure renaissance forms; The Calcinaio church, Francesco di Georgio Martini's masterpiece.
The present perimeter is about 3 Km. And it coincides, for almost 2/3, with that one of the ancient Etruscan town-walls, on which the present walls are built.
The Etruscan remains can be distinguished from the overhanging walls which were built during the Middle Ages, because they are made of huge quadrangular rocks. On the hilltop of the cortonese's hill is the Medicean fortress required by the Medici family and built by Francesco Laparelli in 1549.
Cortona, hometown to so many famous painters from Luca Signorelli to Pietro Berrettini da Cortona to Gino Severini. And then the last little secret about Cortona: some ancient historians suggested that Ulysses was buried here! It is only a legend, but what an extraordinary one!

Corys Hotel Restaurant CortonaCorys Hotel Restaurant Cortona  
Corys Hotel Restaurant Cortona is located in one of the prettiest parts of Tuscany. Old Cortona, with its excellent restaurants, shops, museums, churches and a Medici fortress is a walking distance from the hotel. Lake Trasimeno, just inside Umbria a short distance to the south, offers boating, fishing and water sports. There are excellent road links to the Tuscan cities and wine lands and the railway station too is just 5 kilometres away. This welcoming hotel has 7 well-furnished and spacious bedrooms offering luxurious accommodation and wonderful views of the surroundings. You can enjoy the panoramic views over breakfast on the veranda, relax at the bar or dine at the excellent restaurant. A carefully selected list concentrating on the excellent wines of Tuscany is also offered.
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Gastronomy

PROBABLY the most famous region of Italy, renowned for its gently rolling farmland and vineyards bathed in that golden light, the home of Florence and the medieval university town of Siena. It is famous for its olive oil (particularly from the elegant city of Lucca which is also known for torta di verdure, or sweet spinach pie), wine including chianti and numerous chicken dishes. Eat cacciucco fish soup in Livorno and panforte fruit cake in Siena. In the mountains north of Pistoia, chestnuts are grown and used to make a soft sweet flour that is baked with olive oil and rosemary into sweet flat castagnaccio cake. Maremma is a favourite coastal wine-growing area that produces Sassicaia, Ornellaia and Tignanello.

Italy

Tuscany, known all over the world for its wine and countryside of unequalled beauty. Alternating woods with vines and olive trees, where Romanesque Churches, farmhouses, Villas and Castles of rare beauty are to be found.

Afternoon Tour to the Chianti Region with Wine Tasting
While you are visiting Florence, be sure to take a trip to the famous Chianti wine growing region. On this tour you will visit a castle farm and winery to sample a tasting of the prestigious wines they produce. With Chianti located only 40 minutes from Florence, the Afternoon Tour to the Chianti Region with Wine Tasting is a relaxing afternoon outing. Click here for more information and Booking Details »
Villa Ambrosina Hotel Tavernuzze di ImprunetaVilla Ambrosina Hotel Tavernuzze di Impruneta  
The Hotel Villa Ambrosina is set in a peaceful location, in the heart of Chianti, near Florence and Siena. It is also close to one of the most famous Monasteries of Florence known as the Certosa di Firenze. There are 31 guestrooms at the hotel, which are furnished with elegance and provided with air conditioning, private bathroom and other amenities. It also has a comfortable conference room for people travelling on business issues.
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