| > | | | | discover the delights of the Tuscan countryside |
| Take a break from your busy sightseeing | | | | for yourself. |
| itinerary and enjoy some relaxing time out in the | | | | A guided walking tour of the Florence hills will |
| hills of Florence | | | | provide you with an insider's view of Florence |
| Italy, a veritable treasure chest of culture and | | | | & Tuscany - you can discover the hidden |
| heritage - with its food, wine, culture and history, | | | | treasures and learn of great legends and stories, |
| is always on the top of a European tour list. A | | | | giving you a more intimate experience of the |
| tour to Italy would not be complete without going | | | | region of Tuscany. A walk through the Florence |
| to Florence. This city is in the heart of Tuscany | | | | hills is invigorating and you can soak up the beauty |
| and is sometimes considered the birthplace of the | | | | of the surroundings as you breathe in the fresh |
| Italian Renaissance. It is a place that is famous for | | | | air and bask in the warm sun. You'll also find |
| its abundance of fine art and architecture and in | | | | plenty of photo opportunities as you pass by |
| the modern day, its fashion and leather goods. | | | | churches, castles, hill top towns and villages, olive |
| If you are feeling a little tired out after a few | | | | trees and vineyards |
| days of sightseeing in Florence, a Florence hills | | | | If you're reasonably fit and have cycling |
| tour can be a great way to relax and wind down. | | | | experience you may want to take a Florence Hills |
| With a great ambience and an aura of solitude the | | | | Tour by bike. There are many tour companies |
| hills of Florence are very popular and ideal for | | | | that offer guided biking expeditions of the area. |
| those who wish to take a break from the city. | | | | With these tours you will cover more ground than |
| If you only have a few hours to spare and don't | | | | the walking tours and you will see many of the |
| want to venture too far from Florence, then a | | | | different terrains and landscapes that the Florence |
| trip to the town of Fiesole is highly recommended. | | | | hills have to offer. Be sure to find out as much |
| Set amongst the hills, just 5 miles from Florence, | | | | information as possible about the cycling route |
| Fiesole makes a pleasant half-day trip from | | | | before you go, as many tours of the Florence hills |
| Florence and provides a wonderful view of the | | | | by bike can be arduous because of the steep |
| city. You can get there by bus from the centre | | | | climbs that you have to make. |
| of Florence in around 20 minutes. | | | | If you want to make the most of the peace and |
| If you're feeling more energetic or have a little | | | | quiet and spend a few more days enjoying the |
| more time to spare you can walk from the | | | | countryside you may want to book a stay in one |
| centre of Florence to Fiesole in around 2 hours. | | | | of the many bed and breakfasts, hotels or villas in |
| Once in Fiesole you can easily spend two or three | | | | the Tuscan hills. Hiring a car will allow you to |
| hours wandering round, taking in the sights and | | | | venture just that little bit further afield and visit |
| the views of Florence and the valley below. Sights | | | | some of the beautiful Tuscan hill towns such as |
| include a Roman Amphitheatre and baths dating | | | | San Gimignano, Colle Val D'Elsa and Monteriggioni. |
| from 1 BC, the Duomo and a few small museums. | | | | Regardless of how much time you have to spend |
| If you have a full day to spare there are | | | | there, a trip to the hills surrounding Florence will |
| numerous tour companies that can organise day | | | | give you a taste of the Tuscan countryside that |
| trips by bus, walking tours or biking trips. | | | | will help to make your trip just that little bit more |
| Alternatively you can hire a car and use a map to | | | | special. |