Cortona
Floating high above the Valdichiana plain on terraced slopes of olives and vines, Cortona figures among the crown jewels of Tuscan hill towns. Some 600m above sea level, sweeping down a spur of Monte Sant'Egidio, Cortona's crooked, cobblestone streets climb precipitously to the Medici fortress. Halfway up, between the houses, you can see Lake Trasimeno in Umbria and Mounts Amiata and Cetona near Siena.

Florence (Firenze)
Florence's museums, palaces and churches contain more good art than perhaps any city in Europe, and to see it comfortably would take at least three weeks.

Lake Trasimeno
Sleepy, placid and mirror kissed by gently rolling hills covered with olives and vines, Trasimeno is the fourth largest lake in Italy and has its own subtle charm.

Perugia
Perugia is balanced on a commanding hill over the Tiber. It has many facets, an ancient hill town, a magnificent centre for the arts and a slick cosmopolitan city. It is a fit capital for Umbria, with splendid monuments from the Etruscan era to the late renaissance side by side, its galleries containing the finest arts.

San Gimignano
San Gimignano, so called the city with the beautiful towers has a rustic, unadorned, essential beauty. The towers recall a period of social climbing and the drive to make these desires tangible. There were over 70 towers erected during the golden age, 11 remain today. The golden era was swept away by the black plague and by the rise of Florence and the ensuing wars. The city has been hibernating since and strolling the streets takes the 20th century traveller back to the times when ghibellines and guelphs met on the streets, or listenened to Dante in the great hall of the city palace. Todays visitor to San Gimignano will still find the integral essence of a medieval village unlike any other.

Siena
Siena is probably the most noble Tuscan city. Siena's roots trace back to the Etruscan period, its development grew slowly until it finally blossomed to its present splendour in the period of the Sienese Republic. It is probably best known for its 'palio' which has been passed down from generation to generation, and recollects Siena's rich history and frequent periods of war notably those conducted against the Guelfi Fiorentini. The Palio itself is a famous horse race whereby the horses hurtle around a shell shaped course whilst the jockeys use any means possible to get to the post first. The race takes place twice a year and keeps alive the fighting spirit of Siena's citizens.

Volterra
Volterra is another town with great charm, its distance from the main tuscan attractions has for the most part preserved it from chaotic tourism. It was constructed using the native stone of panchina, which is in evidence in all the buildings, paved roads, alleyways and squares. The town's dramatic appearance is enhanced by the chasm that opens up at the edge of the populated area and is a reminder of its volcanic history. Volterra is notably a favourite for those with an interest in all things Etruscan, evidence of which can be seen all over Volterra to this day.