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Tuscany, a Mecca for tourists

Discovering its towns

Florence Tourist Information Office

A visit to Florence - a city unique for its architectural monuments and the numerous art masterpieces kept in the churches, museums and palazzos; the cradle of the renaissance and an internationally important cultural centre - cannot but include a moment to admire the enchanting landscape views of the surrounding territory. Everything is close to hand: green hills, scattered with olive groves and vineyards, that welcome villages, castles, fortresses, all kept within walls that are real jewels of medieval military architecture; the parishes and the monasteries are the purest expression of Romanesque art; the numerous villas with their wonderful parks decorated with statues, fountains with waterworks, centuries-old plants, mazes, precious essences, all demonstrate how the territory around the Florentine domination has always been appreciated for the incomparable beauty of its natural ambience and the sweetness of its climate. An extraordinarily rich territory, both for its historical-artistic heritage but also for its traditions, folklore and gourmet cuisine.

Website: www.firenzeturismo.it

Florence, Museums, contact

Tel. +39 055 294883
www.firenzemusei.it

Lucca Tourist Information Office

Lucca, clasped within her well-preserved walls, encloses a historical, architectural richness of masterpieces from different ages. In the vast plains and on the hills that surround the city are scattered numerous splendid villas, characterised by parks and gardens rich in tree-lined lanes, statues, fountains and waterworks. The olive grove that colours the landscape with its typical silvery grey supplies an incomparable oil, famous throughout the world. The vine also contributes to the character of the landscape, especially on the hills, producing the famous Doc di Montecarlo and delle Colline Lucchesi wines. Moving towards the mountains, we go into the Media Valle del Serchio, and continuing we arrive in Garfagnana. A land of ancient traditions, this is a very interesting natural territory and diverse from the flora and fauna points of view. The principal cooking ingredients are spelt, an ancient cereal, and chestnut flour, with which the castagnaccio (chestnut cake) is made.

Website: www.luccatourist.it