Lucca

Lucca is located on a plain at the foot of the Apuan Alps and is less than half an hour from the Tuscan coast. Lucca is one of Tuscany's gems, a haven of religious buildings, interesting history and fabulous places to eat. Of Etruscan origin (founded in 180 BC), it belonged to the Romans and then proclaimed itself independent and stayed so for five centuries.

Lucca is famous for its Renaissance city walls that have remained intact while so many other Tuscan towns saw theirs destroyed in past centuries as they lost their military importance and became a pedestrian promenade circling the old town. It is the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini. If you are interested in religious art, enter the 14th-century cathedral Duomo San Martino to see Nicola Pisano's Descent from the Cross or have a look at the multi-patterned columns at 'San Michele', the church of the archangel. At the Doumo, visit the Tomb of Ilaria del Carretto, a moving sculpture by Jacopo della Quercia commemorating a young woman who died in childbirth. And be sure to take some time to enjoy Lucca's tranquil atmosphere and its many fine restaurants.

Nearby:
Visit San Galgano, Terme di Petriolo, Bagni di Lucca

Distances:
Florence - 48 miles, Pisa - 11 miles, Siena - 89 miles

Montecatini Terme

Montecatini Terme is heaven for those who love spa treatments! The curative powers of the hot springs and steaming vaporous caverns of the Valdinevole have been renowned for centuries. The Parco dei Termi, a long park of neoclassical temples expanding over the sources of various underground hot springs is the ideal place for relaxation. Here you will find Terme Tettuccio, a historic spa famous for its thermal waters. It's a lavish Liberty-style building with a park that was built in the latter part of the 18th century by Leopold of Hasburg, the Grand Duke of Tuscany. He also had two other spas built, the Regina and the Leopoldine, and the three spas made this area famous all over Europe, boasting their obvious riches and royalty. There is also the Grotto of Monsummano, a series of lime caves with a steaming lake and hot rooms that are said to cure people who enter.

But it's not only spas! Walk the town's main street of Viale Verdi, visit the Hamlet of Montecatini Alto with ancient castles, churches and towers upon an enchanting hill, and go to Piazza Giusti, an ancient sanctuary with its original stone flooring and noble coat of arms. There is also the Parlascio, a historic site of public markets and assemblies, the town center's historic fountains, as well as the Roman Church of Saint Peter with its gorgeous paintings spanning through several historical ages.

Nearby:
Lucca, Pistoia, Pisa

Distances:
Florence - 31 miles, Pisa - 33 miles, Siena - 74 miles

Pistoia

Pistoia's centro storico offers elegance and refined beauty; its Roman origins are clearly visible, with an unforeseen series of churches, cloisters, palaces and art treasures. It is sometimes referred to as a 'little Florence' for its amazing concentration of art and architecture in a city barely half the size of Lucca. Pistoia's amazing main square, the Piazza del Duomo, is bounded by some outstanding examples of medieval architecture, including the Cathedral of San Zeno and its bell tower, and the 14th century Gothic Baptistery of San Giovanni in Corte. Adjacent is the medieval marketplace, still in service today, the market stalls in medieval style with heavy shutters and stone benches. Amidst the narrow, Medieval streets and irregularly shaped piazzas, prestigious palaces and small tower houses, a surprising city emerges, bearing an innate and discrete charm, perfect for travelers who appreciate quality and slow paced tourism.

Nearby:
Montecatini Terme, Pescia, Prato

Distances:
Florence - 26 miles, Siena - 66 miles, Montecatini Terme - 10 miles, Lucca - 25 miles

Prato

Just 10 miles from Florence, Prato is a charming Tuscan town with 13th century stone walls and watchtowers, which enclose a beautifully preserved pristine city that is easily walked. In its historic center you will find the Emperor's Castle (Castello dell'Imperatore), which stands out as a testimony to the unique Swabian architecture of central southern Italy. On the facade of the Duomo is the Pulpit by Donatello and Michelozzo, used for the revealing of the Sacra Cintola (usually every September 8, during the Historic Court). Adorned with local albarese stone and rich green marble, Fra Filippo Lippi's magnificent frescoes in the Cattedrale di Santo Stefano are newly restored.

Nearby:
Florence, Pistoia, Lucca, Pescia

Distances:
Florence - 10 miles, Lucca - 36 miles, Pisa - 45 miles