gotuscanyumbria.com

#1 - Italy sights - Pisa

Pisa, in northern Tuscany, is famous the world over for its leaning tower. The town itself is not as beautiful as Siena or Lucca, but it does have some interesting sites, including its medieval center, beautiful Duomo, parks, the homes of Lord Byron and Shelley, and a walk along the river.

#2 - Italy sights : Siena

It is a hard choice between Siena and Florence, but my personal preference is for the smaller town of Siena. Siena is a classic medieval Tuscan hill town, famous for its large odd-shaped piazza - the Piazza del Campo. The summer horse-race, known as Il Palio is a famous tourist attraction and is hotly contested. Siena's tall bell tower, Torre del Mangia, dominates the Piazza del Campo. Siena offers other good tourist sites including its cathedral and museums.

#3 - Italy sights : Florence

Florence is one of the most important centres of Renaissance architecture and art in Italy (if not the world). Its Duomo and Baptistery are simply magnificent especially when viewed from the hill on the opposite side of the river. Florence does get crowded with tourists especially around the large piazza near to the Duomo. Florence has several interesting museums with many famous paintings and sculptures. There are also Medici palaces and gardens.

#4 - Italy sights - Montepulciano

Montepulciano is a lovely hill top city in Tuscany, built on a sloping limestone ridge. Montepulciano, known for the wine called Vino Nobile, has one of the most impressive main squares in Tuscany and has many beautiful Renaissance buildings. Nearby is Montalcino, known for its great wine, with a castle at the edge of the town that has wine tasting.

#5 - Italy sights - San Gimignano

San Gimignano, is known in tuscany as the City of Beautiful Towers. San Gimignano is a classic medieval Tuscan walled hill town, famous for its 14 surviving medieval towers creating a beautiful skyline visible from the surrounding countryside.

#6 - Italy sights : Perugia

Perugia, the capital and largest town of Umbria, is a wonderful hill town with lots to do and see. Perugia makes a good base for exploring many of Umbria's hill towns. Perugia has a good Italian language school, a world famous jazz festival in July and a chocolate festival in fall. Chocolate lovers might want to try Perugia's Etruscan Chocohotel where there's a restaurant with chocolate menu.

#7 - Italy sights - Assisi

Assisi is famous throughout Italy as the home town of Saint Francis, or San Francesco, the patron saint of Italy. The Saint Francis Basilica in Assisi holds the tomb of Saint Francis and is a popular tourist and pilgrimage destination. Assisi also has several other interesting churches, Roman ruins, medieval sites, museums, and shops in its walled medieval center. There are many good walks from Assisi into the nearby countryside.

#8 - Italy sights - Lucca

Lucca is a Tuscan walled city with one of the best-preserved walls in Italy. The walls are great for walking or cycling along as you can do a complete loop around Lucca's historic centre. Lucca has several well-preserved towers from where you can get fabulous views of the city, as well as some beautiful garden areas. Lucca is also a good city for food shopping and restaurants.

#9 - Italy sights - Todi

Todi, is a picturesque walled village with good views over the Umbrian countryside. Todi can be easily explored in a couple of hours but there are good places to linger, enjoying the views or the ambiance. Todi or the surrounding countryside would make a peaceful base for visiting southern Umbria, especially if you're traveling by car.

#10 - Italy sights : Lake Trasimeno

Lake Trasimeno is one of Italy's biggest lakes. There are nice beaches around the lake and in the centre three picturesque islands can be reached by ferry. One of the prettiest towns on the edge of Lake Trasimeno is Castiglione del Lago with a medieval center and castle by the lake. The lake was the site of a famous battle between Hannibal and Rome.