• Pisa, Florence, Lucca – famous towns that need no further description

• A little further are Siena, Montepulciano, Lake Trasimeno, San Gimignano – great for a day’s excursion.

• The Chianti wine region, just south of Florence has numerous vineyards which are open to the public for tastings etc.

• Just north of Florence on the coast are Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi – fashionable resorts with superb sandy beaches

• Another great day out is to go to the Ligurian coast. Park in Lerici or La Spezia and take the boat to view the famous Cinque Terra and have lunch in Portofino

• Also don’t forget the smaller nearby medieval villages of San Miniato. Volterra Peccoli and Certaldo Alta etc.