Italy: Florence & Central Italy

Famous for its art, history and landscapes, Central Italy is a region where past and present coexist in pleasing harmony. Start in the art-filled city of Florence, before venturing out to discover the medieval hill towns and beautiful countryside of Tuscany and Umbria, and the lesser-known glories of Le Marche. Vibrant Bologna, in gourmet Emilia-Romagna, offers its own culinary and artistic delights.

The diverse sights of Central Italy are perfect for dawdling around. Florence and smaller Siena are essential stops for art-lovers, while the family-friendly hill towns also boast many art treasures. The countryside is endlessly varied, from the classic lines of cypress trees and olive groves in southern Tuscany to the dense woods of the Monti Sibillini, and a host of vibrant festivals offer year-round entertainment.

Italy is well connected with major cities across the world. Most visitors fly to Pisa airport for Tuscany; from the airport there are direct links to Florence, a regional transport hub. An option is to fly to Bologna in Emilia-Romagna, with fast train links to Florence, the Adriatic Coast and Le Marche. For Umbria, fly to one of Romes airports and take the train or drive. Both Florence and Perugia also have minor airports. Fly-drive holidays are an attractive option for families, making the most of well-located regional airports, while travelling by train can feel like a big adventure for children. While a car may be the most convenient way to get around around rural parts of the region, driving on overcrowded motorways and in congested cities with few or costly parking options can be fraught with difficulty. Trains are efficient and affordable, but buses are necessary for reaching smaller towns. Within cities, there are all kinds of public transport options.