Vicinities
For many people, Florence is just the jumping-off point for exploring the Tuscan hills, with their terraced farms and vineyards, and well-preserved medieval towns. Most of these hill towns are easily reached by public transport, so even if you hadn't planned an excursion into the countryside, a trip to one of the outlying towns is easily arranged and makes an excellent antidote to the crowds and historic overkill of Florence.Some travelers spend an entire vacation visiting the small towns of Tuscany and enjoying country inns famous for their cuisine. How many towns you visit most likely will be decided by your means of transportation as much as the length of your vacation. Without a car, it is best to select a village or two to visit by bus or on a tour from one of the Tuscan cities—Florence and Siena are both centrally located for such excursions. With a car, you can add the smaller towns like Prato, Pistoia, and Lucca on your way from Pisa to Florence. From Florence to Siena, be sure to stop off at San Gimignano and Volterra; or take the slow road through the Chianti region. For those more interested in wine and the countryside than the medieval art, SS 222 through the heart of Chianti country is a good choice. Here the hills become steeper and wilder and the world-famous wine business of the Chianti Classico flourishes. The road takes you through the Greve valley and into the tiny medieval village of Castellina in Chianti, passing wine sales and tasting rooms.