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