Brierley Anthony - DK Eyewitness Travel Guide Florence and Tuscany

Inspire / Plan / Discover / Experience

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t An evening view over Florence

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t The view over the Duomo and rooftops in Florence.

Awe-inspiring Renaissance masterpieces. Ruby-red Chianti and pungent pecorino cheese. Cypress-covered hills and maze-like medieval towns, packed with age-old tradition. Whatever your dream trip to Florence and Tuscany includes, this DK Eyewitness Travel Guide is the perfect companion.

As the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence and Tuscanys artistic legacy is second to none. From Michelangelos David to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the sheer concentration of world-famous icons is breathtaking. The regions culinary heritage is equally rich, with every town and village producing its own unique delicacies: try a panino col lampredotto in Florence, go truffle hunting in San Miniato or sup cacciucco in Livorno. And no trip to Tuscany would be complete without sampling the local wine. Brunello di Montalcino, Vernaccia di San Gimignano these celebrated names are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the vast array of exquisite varieties on offer.

Dating back to medieval times, Tuscanys appealing towns and cities are a perfectly preserved slice of the past. Their historic streets come alive at festival time, with thrilling tournaments and vibrant costumed pageants. The countryside is calmer but no less colourful: the mesmerising landscapes include the lush green hills of Val dOrcia, the rainbow-coloured beaches of Elba and the otherworldly white marble quarries of Carrara. Urban or rural, this is Italy at its most truly picturesque.

From the winding streets of Florence to the outer reaches of the Tuscan Archipelago, weve broken the region down into easily navigable chapters, with detailed itineraries, expert local knowledge and colourful, comprehensive maps to help you plan the perfect visit. Whether youre staying for a weekend, a week, or longer, this Eyewitness guide will ensure that you see the very best the region has to offer. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Florence and Tuscany.

Florences Palantine Gallery in the Palazzo Pitti.

A rustic farmhouse and cypress trees in Tuscany.

The dramatic exterior of the Santa Croce in Florence.

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Sublime landscapes, Renaissance artworks, picturesque towns, and delectable local dishes and wines: there are so many reasons to love Florence and Tuscany. Here, we pick some of our favourites.

t The wide-open view of central Florence from , taking in the famous Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, is quite simply awe-inspiring.

Discover Reasons to Love Florence and Tuscany

t Gentle hillsides, pockets of woodland, and rows of cypresses along winding lanes and around the occasional stone chapel: picture-perfect is a photographers paradise.

Discover Reasons to Love Florence and Tuscany

SIENAS PIAZZA DEL CAMPO

t The piazza is the centre of community life in Tuscany and the welcome upon entering the delightful shell-shaped heart of is one of the warmest.

Discover Reasons to Love Florence and Tuscany

THE LEANING TOWER

t One of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World, Pisas off-kilter tower still has the power to surprise, however well-prepared you are.

Discover Reasons to Love Florence and Tuscany

FLORENCE FASHION