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INTRODUCTION
TUSCANY
see & do
TUSCANY - ART & HISTORY Although it may not be possible to see everything that Tuscany has to offer in one visit, the following is a selection of the region's great places to visit and stay, outstanding buildings and spectacular scenery. The cloister of Santa Maria Novella in Florence: a serene retreat from the buzz of Florence's streets. Pisa is famous for its Leaning Tower, which is only a component of Pisa's Campo dei Miracoli, an astounding ensemble of religious architecture. Cortona, there's barely a single horizontal street in this beautiful Renaissance town in southern Tuscany. It is one of Southern Tuscany's most appealing hill towns. Within easy reach of both Florence and Pisa is the small pretty medieval village of San Gimignano set amid the glorious rolling hills of central Tuscany. Its impressive skyline of towers, dominates the landscape for miles around. The graceful small town of Lucca in north Tuscany with its artistic and cultural gems, has a wealth of Palazzi and is best known for its unusual oval Piazza, which was originally a Roman amphitheatre; it is a delight to explore this town on foot.
Siena is a regal walled town in central Tuscany and has a wealth of artistic treasures: the `Torre del Mangia' looming over Siena's distinctive black and white cathedral, the magnificent Piazza del Campo, where the crowds gather before the Palio and Siena's frenzied and high partisan horserace around the main square. The picturesque town of Greve, Chianti, basks in the verdant countryside of central Tuscany and the renowned Chianti Classico region famous for its vineyards, is set amongst wooded hills and hosts the area's biggest wine fair the third week of September. UMBRIA ART & HISTORY Umbria offers treasures from the middle ages and Renaissance. Many of them can still be found in the churches, convents and palazzo they were designed for. Highlights of the region include the Pinacoteca Comunale and Moseo Diocesano in Citta' di Castello. The majestic Gattapone's Palazzo dei Consoli in Gubbio. The Fontana Maggiore in Piazza IV Novembre in Perugia, and the Galleria Nazionale housing the magnificent works by Perugino and Pinturicchio. Assisi, the burial place of St. Francis, and its famous Basilica Tempio di Minerva adorned by Giotto's frescoes.
Giotto, of course is one of the most important artists of the Italian Renaissance. Visit the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Spello, hosting the fresco cycle by Pinturicchio. The Duomo of Orvieto is one of Italy's greatest cathedrals. Spoleto to the east is one of Umbria's more stimulating bases, its many Romanesque churches, monuments and full year-round programme of exhibitions and concerts make it a must to visit. West of Perugia lays placid Lake Trasimeno and its town Castiglione del Lago. Whilst travelling around Lake Trasimeno, one may choose to relax on the beaches, enjoy the restaurants of the lakeside towns, or take a ferry to one of the lake's islands. Further north is the unheralded Citta di Castello, a captivating, unmissable town in which its' art gallery contains superlative Renaissance paintings. East of the Tiber River, situated in attractively barren country, Gubbio is one of Italy's medieval gems, much in the town merits comparison with Siena. Churches and galleries abound, and the honeycomb of old streets is riddled with points of interest.
TUSCANY INFORMATION Capital: Florence. Airport: Pisa, Florence and Rome. For flight details see p12-13. Transfers: We have included Group `A' car hire for all holidays to Tuscany from Pisa airport for your freedom to explore the region, see p14-15 for car hire details. Alternatively rail or private transfers can be arranged on request at a supplement. Approx distance from each airport in miles. Pisa Florence Rome Siena 68 42 152 Lucca 15 45 220 S.Gimignano 43 30 176 Cortona 120 75 125 Chianti 63 20 192 Montecatini 32 25 200 Pienza 100 75 125 Fiesole 56 8 180 Shops: As per Umbria opposite. Banks: As per Umbria opposite.
TUSCANY & UMBRIA REGIONAL MAP
UMBRIA INFORMATION Airport: Rome, Pisa or Florence, for flight details see p12-13. Transfers: We have included Group `A' car hire for all holidays to Tuscany and Umbria for your freedom to explore these regions. For car hire details and extensions see p14-15. Approx distances from each airport in miles. Pisa Florence Rome Perugia 143 110 130 Assisi 157 113 145 Orvieto 130 110 82 Shops: Most shops are open Mon-Sat 9am-1pm, 3.30-7.30pm, although you may find food shops closed Monday am or pm. Banks: Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-1 or 1.30pm and 2.30 or 3-4pm.
Forte dei Marmi Pietrasanta Viareggio Lucca
Fiesole Florence Monsummano Greve in Chianti Pisa Terme Arezzo Livorno San Gimignano Volterra Siena Cortona
Piombino
Elba Punta Ala
Pienza
Perugia
Grosseto Porto Santo Stefano
UMBRIA
1 Pisa 2 Aerial view of Lucca 3 Scenery of Siena 4 San Gimignano 5 Aerial view of Siena 6 Tuscan sunset
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call 01306 747746 I www.kuoni.co.uk I see your travel agent
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