Sightseeing at 1 hour's drive

Certaldo

Located on the top of a hill overlooking the valley of the Elsa River, Certaldo is the birthplace of Giovanni Boccaccio, a famous Italian poet and writer of the 14th century. This characteristic medieval village, built between the 12th and 15th centuries, still preserve today its walls, alleyways and terracotta buildings whose reddish color creates a unique and evocative atmosphere. Walking around the historical center of Certaldo. besides the various artisan and wine shops, it is worth a visit the Palazzo Pretorio, the Church of San Tommaso and San Prospero, where there are some frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli, the Church of Saints Jacopo and Filippo where inside the remains of Beata Giulia are preserved and the Museum of Sacred Art. Do not miss the funicular that will take you to the hamlet of Certaldo in a few minutes, offering you a wonderful panoramic view on the lower part of the village and the surrounding hills.

San Miniato

Halfway between Florence and Pisa, on the top of a hill lies San Miniato, with its characteristic "Rocca", an ancient fortified tower built by Federico II in the early 13th century, which stands out over the roofs of the houses. Founded by the Longobards in the 8th century, San Miniato met with great economic expansion thanks to its strategic location near the Arno River and the Via Francigena. Walking in this picturesque Tuscan town you can visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and San Genesio, the convent of San Francesco, the Church of Santo Stefano and San Michele, and the Bishop's Seminary (Piazza della Repubblica) with its characteristic curved façade and decorated with frescoes. San Miniato is also famous for its White Truffle at whom is dedicated every year in November an event that recall from all around the world thousands of lovers of this precious tuber.

San Gimignano

If there is a medieval village more known and photographed in the world, it is without doubt the one of San Gimignano which with its 14 towers, from the top of a hill at 324 m above sea level, dominates the territory between the Senese Val d'Elsa and the Florentine Val d'Elsa. Originally, in the place where the medieval village of San Gimignano rises, there was a small Etruscan village (around 200/300 years BC), but it was between the X and the XIV century that the village began to expand thanks to the proximity of the Via Francigena, becoming one of the major transit and commuting area. This fervid economy led to the noble families who demonstrated their wealth and power building the towers, to the point that in the medieval period there were 72! The name of the village is attributed to the Bishop of Modena "Gimignano", who miraculously appeared on the walls and saved the village several times from the attacks of the barbarians. It is worth a visit to the "Piazza della Cisterna" with its octagonal well and the beautiful "Duomo di San Gimignano" or "Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta" which contains some masterpieces of art including "The Martyrdom of San Sebastiano" by Benozzo Gozzoli and the "Universal Judgement" by Taddeo di Bartolo. Worth a visit to the Civic Museum of San Gimignano and, if you are not easily impressed, the Museum of Torture, while if you want to admire a breathtaking view you can't miss the climb on the "Torre Grossa".

Volterra

Situated on a high hill between the valleys of river Cecina and Era, Volterra is an ancient city where history has left its mark. Founded by the Etruscans in the 7th century BC it had a rapid expansion until the 3rd century BC when it was forced to submit to the growing Roman empire. With the fall of the Roman Empire, Volterra became an important fortified center and Bishop palace that controlled a vast territory. In the historical center, still surrounded by its ancient walls, you can admire amongst the medieval streets the "Teatro di Vallebona", the 13th century "Palazzo dei Priori", the Praetorian Palace with the tower with the battlements called "del Porcellino", and an enchanting view of the Tuscan countryside like the "Balze", an erosion at west of Volterra that over the years destroyed the oldest Etruscan churches and Etruscan necropolis. Volterra is also famous for the work of the Tuscan Alabaster, whose artefacts today represent precious local handicrafts.

Colle Val D'Elsa

Monteriggioni

Driving along the freeway from Poggibonsi to Siena, suddenly you will see on your left the majestic medieval village of Monteriggioni whose ancient walls and the 11 towers - which have been preserved until today practically intact - date back to the 13th century. Given the peculiarity of this medieval village, Monteriggioni has been chosen to shoot several scenes of numerous films and advertisements (also featured in some video games). Walking inside the city walls, in the narrow streets with shops of crafts and typical products and some restaurants, will be like going back in the past, revitalizing the atmosphere of the medieval age. Of particular historical and artistic interest is worth a visit the pretty Romanesque church of "Santa Maria Assunta", whose interior contains some of the most remarkable works of art and the "Monteriggioni in Arme" museum (museum of medieval armor), while if you want to admire the scenic landscape on the Chianti countryside do not miss a walk on the ancient walls.

Vinci

Located on the slopes of "Montalbano" (a mountain range that divides the plain of Florence-Prato-Pistoia from the valley of the Arno river), Vinci is a small medieval village universally recognized as the city of Leonardo, the famous inventor, engineer, which has contributed to making Tuscany famous throughout the world thanks to its insights and inventions. The village of Vinci dates back to the XI century and still preserves the typical Tuscan architecture of the medieval period. Inside it is possible to visit, in addition to the Conti Guidi Castle and the Church where Leonardo was baptized, the "Museo Ideale" and the Leonardian Museum where Leonardo's history and works can be explored (also with museum paths  suitable for children). Walking for a few kilometers a road that winds through the hills has inspired and made the background to Leonardo's many paintings, you can reach "Anchiano" where you will find the childhood home of Leonardo that we recommend to visit.