The cathedral, or duomo, of Siena is a magnificent Gothic church built between 1215 and 1263. One of its main features is the unusual inlaid marble floor, 56 panels created in the 14th – 16th centuries that depict historical or mythological events. The entire floor is only uncovered for a couple of months each year. Other things not to miss...

San Gimignano is a popular hill town in Tuscany, known for its 14 surviving medieval towers. Rising above the town, the towers create a notable skyline that can be seen as you approach. The small town of San Gimignano once had 72 towers, built by rich families in the middle ages. Torre Grossa, the tallest of the surviving towers, was...

Cortona, featured in Under the Tuscan Sun by Francis Mayes, is one of the most popular hill towns to visit in Tuscany. Cortona’s history goes back to the ancient Umbrians, followed by the Etruscans and later the Romans. Etruscan tombs dot the hillside below the town. Remnants of the Etruscan walls are incorporated into the medieval walls around the historic...