Located in the heart of Tuscany, the Palazzeta farm is an ideal base for visiting the region's most beautiful cities and towns which are between 40 minutes to 1 hour away by car. The town of Cecina is a good starting point. It has ancient origins as it was the site of important Etruscan and Roman settlements and it is now a lively town, centrally situated, surrounded by green fields, rivers, hills and the sea. There is plenty to do and see; a small harbour, a water park, horse riding, tennis courts, diving and windsurfing lessons, bowling alley and diving centre and many other sports facilities.

Fascinating findings have been preserved in the archaeological parks of Villa San Vincenzino and Villa La Cinquantina (500 mt from Palazzeta farm) where important exhibitions and displays are held.

Volterra, etruscan town in province of Pisa

The austere but peaceful town stands alone on a hilltop (with an all-round view stretching from the Apennines up to the Tyrrhenian sea) and has a charm of its own which sets it apart from the other medieval towns.

On your arrival you will be amazed by the mighty wall encircling the town dating from both Medieval and Etruscan times. There are also the city gates, the most well known is Porta dell'Arco Etrusco (the gate of the Etruscan Arch).

Inside the walls you will find evidence of the proud medieval town of Volterra which helps us to understand its enchanting beauty.

San Gimignano

The 15 medieval towers (a reminder of the 72 towers that rose during the time of greatest splendour) announce the Tuscan town's magnificence from far away.

The amazement continues after entering one of the town gates, that open in the double enclosed wall, and walking up the silent streets flanked with ancient buildings.

The streets suddenly open up into three squares at the centre of the town, where you can admire the austere medieval buildings that encircle them.

Pisa

Pisa, with a population of approx 92,000, is set on a wide floodplain (4 m. above sea level) only a few kilometres from the Tyrrhenian coast with the river Arno running through it.

Pisa is one of the main cultural centres of Italy. It has a rich artistic heritage with its original Medieval reworking of Islamic, Lombard and local influences.

A must-see is the wonderful Duomo and the leaning tower, a monument much talked of as one of the seven wonders.

Pisa, a chief town in the province of Tuscany and an archiepiscopal headquarter, is nowadays a prestigious university and research town.

Florence

Florence stands in a pleasant valley surrounded by hills and crossed by the river Arno. The city is rich in monuments, historical buildings, galleries and museums, expressing all the magnificence of its ancient culture.

The walk past the monuments which takes you up to the wonderful Ponte Vecchio lined with its typical goldsmith's shops, is world famous.

There are many monuments and works of art to see, such as Giotto's Tower begun in 1334, the Pitti Palace from an original design by Brunelleschi, started in the second half of the 1400s, the courtyard of Ammannati, Buonarroti house which has some of Michelangelo's paintings, Forte di Belvedere that dates from the end of the 1500s, the Uffizi Palace begun by Vasari in 1560, Loggia della Signoria begun in 1376 from an original design by Arcagno and Palazzo Vecchio built between 1293 and 1314.

Siena

Siena always attracts many tourists for its wonderful monuments and many masterpieces which can be admired in its museums. Some great artists were born in Siena such as Duccio di Boninsegna and Nicola Pisano, who worked on the greatest masterpiece in the city: the Duomo.

In narrow and winding lanes, in the museums and oratories of the various 'Contradas' (districts) you may hear Palio propitiatory chants that recall the ancient customs and modern fables. Whilst, in the evening, the patter of soles on the deserted pavements contrasts with the peace of the green valleys which the governors had the foresight to enclose within the city walls centuries earlier.

In the town you can admire many masterpieces such as the Duomo, set in the Piazza del Campo, Siena's red-bricked main square, and the wonderful view from the Facciatone, the hall of Pellegrinaio in Santa Maria della Scala, the Piccolomini library, the prestigious Accademia Chigiana and the large rooms in Fortezza Medicea, that hides the rarest wines from Siena, Tuscany and the rest of Italy.

Lucca

Lucca is a charming Tuscan city of arts with numerous attractions. You will witness its prestigious past and will find many enjoyable ways to fill your time in a warm and welcoming environment.

It lies 20 Km (12miles) to the North-East of Pisa, 60 Km (37 miles) to the West of Florence, near the beach resort of Viareggio and is definitely worth a visit.

Lucca is indisputably the capital of the silk industry. Also note the basilica of St. Frediano from the twelfth century whose mosaic façade alone makes a trip to the city worthwhile. There are also the churches of San Pietro Somaldi and St. Maria Foris Portam.

Despite Lucca's mixed fortunes during the 1300s, this era is remembered for the churches of St. Francis, Della Rosa, St. Giulia and for its numerous gothic style mansions, houses and tower-houses.

Lucca

Lucca is a charming Tuscany city of arts with its numerous attractions. You will go to visit the witness of its prestigious past and enjoy its several amusements in a hearted and happy place.

It is 20 Km. North-East away from Pisa, 60 Km West away from Florence, near the beach resort of Viareggio: indeed Lucca is worthy of a visit…