Florence – Tuscany’s capital and most populated city is the birthplace of the Renaissance. Florence is widely considered one of the most beautiful cities on Earth and is also one of the world’s top fashion capitals. Climb Brunelleschi’s Dome, the symbol of Florence in the spiritual heart of the city, Piazza del Duomo. This architectural masterpiece covers the Florence Cathedral, or Duomo di Firenze, and after ascending its 463 steps you are rewarded with awe-inspiring views of the city. For those who prefer to stay closer to the ground, marvel at the Duomo, Baptistery and Giotto’s Bell Tower, which together comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The renowned Uffizi Gallery, located next to Piazza della Signoria, home to a replica of Michelangelo’s David, exhibits one of the world’s most impressive collections of ancient sculptures and paintings. It is home to Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus as well as art created by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Titian. After perusing the Uffizi take a stroll across the nearby Ponte Vecchio. This iconic bridge spans the Arno and is the only bridge on the river that escaped destruction during World War II because, as rumor has it, it was too beautiful and significant to destroy. The Ponte Vecchio, or Old Bridge, is lined with shops, many of which sell jewelry.
Siena – Siena’s iconic shell-shaped square is the beating heart of the city. Piazza del Campo, aka Il Campo, is home to the Palazzo Pubblico, a 14th-century palace; Torre del Mangia, a Siena landmark and one of the tallest medieval towers in Italy; and a cornucopia of cafés and restaurants.
Pisa – Pisa’s Campo dei Miracoli is indeed miraculous. This UNESCO World Heritage Site contains not only the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, but the Duomo, or Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and the Battistero di San Giovanni, considered the largest baptistery in Italy. Campo dei Miracoli, aka Piazza del Duomo, is also home to the Camposanto Monumentale, a cemetery that, according to legend, can reduce bodies to skeletons within 24 hours of burial.
Volterra – Walk in the footsteps of the Romans at the well-preserved Teatro Romano, or Roman Theatre, and get a glimpse of ancient Etruscan life at Museo Etrusco Guarnacci, one of the oldest public museums in Europe.
San Gimignano – This medieval mini-Manhattan is renowned for the lofty towers that dot its skyline. Torre Grossa, completed in 1311, is the tallest in town at approximately 175 feet and the only tower in San Gimignano that visitors can climb.
Elba – Italy’s third-largest island boasts one of the country’s most famous homes, Villa dei Mulini, one of the residences of Napoleon Bonaparte during his exile in 1814. Perched high above Portoferraio, the island’s capital and main port, Villa dei Mulini today is part of the National Museum of Napoleonic Residences and exhibits antiques, furniture and books Napoleon brought with him to Elba. Elba is also blessed with some of the region’s best beaches, including Cavoli, Sansone, Fetovaia, Lacona and Biodola.