A few kilometres from Montepulciano, Chianciano Terme is a modern spa town with numerous thermal facilities and spas, close to the old medieval village of Chianciano crowned by a promontory. It is not very touristy, and very pleasant to discover. Chianciano The Chianciano village was Etruscan and Roman. In the old town, there are beautiful […]
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Author: Galgano
Lower Val d’Elsa, in the Tuscan hills
The lower part of the Val d’Elsa is in the province of Florence, the upper part being in that of Siena. The landscape is marked by beautiful hills, often with cereal crops. Its most interesting towns are Certaldo, Empoli which is the largest town, and San Miniato further downstream in the province of Pisa. Certaldo, […]
Sovana
Village | 
Written by Galgano
Sovana is a small, charming and pleasant village with only 500 inhabitants, but it has a long history. The houses are distributed along a long street from the remains of the fortress to the cathedral through Piazza del Pretorio. Restored in the twentieth century, it has become one of the most beautiful villages of Tuscany, […]
Sarteano in Tuscany
Sarteano is a village located between the Val d’Orcia and the Val di Chiana, few visited by tourists. Its castle is the main attraction, with the archaeological museum also very interesting that documents the Etruscan tombs of the surroundings. Its territory has been occupied since the Neolithic, as evidenced by the discoveries in the Bear […]
Castiglion Fiorentino
Castiglion Fiorentino is a small town in Tuscany of Etruscan origin, where live nearly 13,000 souls, located on a hill between Cortona and Arezzo. It preserves a medieval center, the pretty central square Piazza del Municipio with its balcony, the ancient walls, and on the acropolis of the Cassero dating back to the Etruscan medieval […]
Things to see and do in Volterra
What things to discover in the beautiful medieval city of Volterra? First its very suggestive streets, hoping that there are not too many people and fans of Twilight (usually concentrated in the center), then the acropolis, beautiful panoramas, the enclosure, secondary churches, and a remarkable Etruscan museum. See also at the end of page Read […]
Things to do and see in Siena
Siena deserves plenty of days to measure its charm. However, it is not a very large city and two days can be enough to bring back beautiful memories. Piazza del Campo is the highlight of the show, an incomparable shell-shaped square surrounded by its medieval palaces, including the Palazzo Pubblico and the tall and beautiful […]
Things to do and see in Pistoia
Presentation of the most beautiful places in Pistoia, squares and monuments, with the Also read the overview of Piazza del Duomo in Pistoia The Piazza del Duomo is the main square of the city, in the heart of Pistoia, its religious and civil center. It is one of the most beautiful squares in Tuscany. Its […]
Things to do and see in Pisa
You can spend half a day at Pisa if you only visit the Square of Miracles, but it would be a shame not to discover the rest of the city. The historic centre along the borgo or the Piazza dei Cavalieri, the banks of the Arno, and its beautiful churches are just some of the […]
Things to do and see in Pienza
The historic centre of Pienza is quite small and flat, as part of a beautiful walk through its narrow streets, also following its large promenade that offers a splendid view over the hills dominated by the village. Corso Rossellini in Pienza You enter Pienza in the west through the Porta di Prato (or Porta al […]
Things to do and see in Montepulciano
Here is a presentation of the most beautiful sites in Montepulciano, most located in the medieval historic center, in order of preference. This page completes the See also at the end of page Historic centre The historic centre of Montepulciano is medieval and Renaissance, with suggestive alleys and stairs that wind between beautiful stone buildings […]
Things to do and see in Lucca
Lucca is a pleasant and welcoming city, whose beautiful historic center, clean and orderly, is protected by a vast 16th century enclosure. Among its must-see places, the Piazza dell’Anfiteatro recalls the Roman past of the city having kept the physiognomy of the ancient building. Other beautiful squares are in front of the remarkable churches including […]
Things to do and see on Monte Argentario
The promontory of the Argentario attracts tourists for its various qualities such as the marine environment, the mild climate, the beautiful coasts, the village of Porto Ercole, or its pleasant hinterland appreciated for hiking or mountain biking whose summit reaches 635 meters. Once an island, it is now a peninsula in front of the Orbetello […]
What to do and see in Cortona
Built on a hill between 500 and 600 metres above sea level, Cortona preserves a unique medieval centre rich in alleys, cobbled streets, ancient palaces and churches, with beautiful panoramas over the surrounding area. It has kept its medieval walls, including Etruscan and Roman portions. The heart of the city is the Piazza della Repubblica […]
Things to do and see in Arezzo
Here are some ideas, sorted by relative preference, for a visit of Arezzo, which can be seen over a whole day, or better yet over a weekend. The historic centre preserves beautiful monuments, churches, palaces and museums. See also at the end of page And read the presentation page of Piazza Grande in Arezzo The […]
Hotels in Elba
Easily find accommodation on Elba Island among nearly 500 structures, including apartments and houses, guest rooms and B&Bs, agritourism, etc
The most beautiful beaches of Elba Island
The island of Elba, in the Tuscan Archipelago, offers a wide variety of beaches, ranging from long stretches of fine sand to small coves with pebbles or black sand. Some beaches are easily accessible from the main villages, while others require access by footpaths or boat. The waters are generally clear, with seabeds suitable for […]
Map of places and beaches on the Island of Elba
The interactive map of the island of Elba highlights the main towns and villages, the most popular beaches, as well as remarkable natural and cultural sites, mountains and others.
Portoferraio
City | Written by Galgano
Portoferraio, the capital of Elba Island, is a small town with multiple charms, combining historical heritage, port activity, and natural beauty. A former Medici fortress, the town is dominated by several imposing bastion complexes such as Forte Falcone and Forte Stella. It also houses the Napoleonic residences, reflecting its historical role. Its pebble beaches, bathed […]
Surroundings of Portoferraio
Attraction | 
Written by Galgano
Around Portoferraio, there is a mix of rocky coves, small sandy or pebble beaches, and hills covered with Mediterranean vegetation. The northern coast, towards Enfola and Sansone, includes some of the island’s most beautiful beaches. It is characterized by cliffs and secluded beaches, accessible by trails, ideal for enjoying the clear sea. To the south, […]
Marciana and its surroundings
Tourist Destination | Written by Galgano
Marciana, perched on the slopes of Monte Capanne, is one of the oldest villages on the island of Elba. Its stone houses, medieval streets, and Pisan fortress reflect its strategic role. Surrounding it are the thermal village of Poggio, the seaside resort of Marciana Marina, and the trail leading to the Sanctuary of the Madonna […]
San Lorenzo Basilica in Florence
Historic Monument | Written by Galgano
Located in the heart of Florence and near the Central Market Square, the San Lorenzo Basilica is one of the city’s most iconic churches and a central site in Medici history. It combines Renaissance architecture with sumptuous interior decoration, including numerous chapels and works of art. It is also famous for the Medici family tombs […]
Santa Maria Novella Basilica in Florence
Historic Monument | Written by Galgano
Santa Maria Novella is the large Dominican church located at the entrance to the historic center of Florence, facing the station of the same name. Its façade, combining Gothic elements with the upper part designed by Leon Battista Alberti, is one of the first successful attempts at Renaissance architecture applied to a church façade. Inside, […]
The western coast of the Island of Elba
Tourist Destination | Written by Galgano
The western coast of Elba Island, between Sant’Andrea and Cavoli, presents a wilder and more preserved landscape than the eastern areas. The granite cliffs plunge into clear waters where small coves, long beaches, and wave-polished rocks alternate. The coastline is dominated by the Monte Capanne massif, whose slopes are home to picturesque villages and hiking […]
Monte Capanne and its slopes
Tourist Destination | Written by Galgano
Mount Capanne, reaching 1,019 meters, is the highest point on Elba Island and dominates the landscape of the Tuscan Archipelago. Its slopes present a striking contrast with the coastline: chestnut forests, Mediterranean scrub, and granite rocks alternate up to the summit, where the panoramic view encompasses the entire island and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The mountain […]
