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