Two days of beauty, discovering some of the most fascinating towns in the region
Spring is nearly here. Temperatures are beginning to rise and the time to go on outdoor weekend excursions is just around the corner. Italy is at its best during this season. And Tuscany, with its bright landscapes, blossoming countryside and beautiful towns is definitely one of the best regions to explore during this time. Maybe even with someone special, to find some time for just the two of you. For those who are planning to celebrate the arrival of spring or to take a little break from the usual daily grind, you only need to organise a romantic weekend road-trip to discover some of the most charming places in Tuscany. You could even organise nothing and just take off on an adventure. The important thing is to enjoy every moment together. What are you waiting for? Get in a car and hit the road!
For the first stop on your romantic weekend in Tuscany, we suggest Lucca, a beautiful town which is easy to navigate on foot. Through the two kilometres of its historic centre, Lucca will overwhelm you with the elegance of its alleys, the magnificence of its churches and the liveliness of its squares. Start exploring at the Cathedral di San Marino, which is home to significant works such as the funerary monument of Ilaria del Caretto by Jacopo della Quercia.
Going into the central streets: our advice is to not follow specific roads but to get lost, admiring the colours of the buildings, the shops and the old shop signs. Lose yourselves among the little details that make Lucca a stunning town. To admire it all from up high, go up the Guinigi Tower. Continue to piazza dell’Anfiteatro, which stands out for its special appearance and vigour. Nearby is another beautiful church, the Basilica of San Frediano. After visiting there, take a well-earned moment to go shopping on the Fillungo, where you can admire many shop windows. You will soon get to the next stop on your day in Lucca: the Church of San Michele in Foro and, not far from there, the Giacomo Puccini House Museum.
Before you leave Lucca, don’t forget to take a romantic stroll hand-in-hand along the historic walls, from there you can admire the luscious natural landscape which surrounds the city.
Enjoy Lucca calmly. Take many relaxing strolls and take it all in. In half a day, you will fall in love with it.
For a special evening, we recommend getting in the car and leaving for Pistoia. It will take you less than an hour to get to the second part of your Tuscan journey which will likely be the one that surprises you the most. Pistoia is an extremely dynamic city. Especially in the warmer season, the streets and squares in the centre are filled with life. At aperitivohour, and later for dinner, young people and adults spill out into the bars which serve drinks and delicious traditional dishes. Take a tour of piazza della Sala and its surrounding areas, taking in the lively atmosphere, stopping for a glass of wine and a chat in one of the many bars with outdoor seating. If you are hungry you should go to one of the trattorias which offers cuisine that is strictly typical of Pistoia. If, however, you reach the city in the afternoon or at least before sunset, go exploring in the historic centre, maybe starting at the beautiful Cathedral of San Zeno. If you feel like getting to know a bit about the city's history and some of the curiosities that surround it, we recommend that you don't miss a visit to the Pistoia Underground Museum and the Ospedale del Ceppo Museum.
For the first stop on your romantic weekend in Tuscany, we suggest Lucca, a beautiful town which is easy to navigate on foot. Through the two kilometres of its historic centre, Lucca will overwhelm you with the elegance of its alleys, the magnificence of its churches and the liveliness of its squares. Start exploring at the Cathedral di San Marino, which is home to significant works such as the funerary monument of Ilaria del Caretto by Jacopo della Quercia.
Going into the central streets: our advice is to not follow specific roads but to get lost, admiring the colours of the buildings, the shops and the old shop signs. Lose yourselves among the little details that make Lucca a stunning town. To admire it all from up high, go up the Guinigi Tower. Continue to piazza dell’Anfiteatro, which stands out for its special appearance and vigour. Nearby is another beautiful church, the Basilica of San Frediano. After visiting there, take a well-earned moment to go shopping on the Fillungo, where you can admire many shop windows. You will soon get to the next stop on your day in Lucca: the Church of San Michele in Foro and, not far from there, the Giacomo Puccini House Museum.
Before you leave Lucca, don’t forget to take a romantic stroll hand-in-hand along the historic walls, from there you can admire the luscious natural landscape which surrounds the city.
Enjoy Lucca calmly. Take many relaxing strolls and take it all in. In half a day, you will fall in love with it.
For a special evening, we recommend getting in the car and leaving for Pistoia. It will take you less than an hour to get to the second part of your Tuscan journey which will likely be the one that surprises you the most. Pistoia is an extremely dynamic city. Especially in the warmer season, the streets and squares in the centre are filled with life. At aperitivohour, and later for dinner, young people and adults spill out into the bars which serve drinks and delicious traditional dishes. Take a tour of piazza della Sala and its surrounding areas, taking in the lively atmosphere, stopping for a glass of wine and a chat in one of the many bars with outdoor seating. If you are hungry you should go to one of the trattorias which offers cuisine that is strictly typical of Pistoia. If, however, you reach the city in the afternoon or at least before sunset, go exploring in the historic centre, maybe starting at the beautiful Cathedral of San Zeno. If you feel like getting to know a bit about the city's history and some of the curiosities that surround it, we recommend that you don't miss a visit to the Pistoia Underground Museum and the Ospedale del Ceppo Museum.
There is no better way to begin the second day of your romantic weekend than with a beautiful hilltop town: San Gimignano, the city of towers. Start your discovery of the medieval city from piazza Sant'Agostino, where you will find one of its most important churches. Follow then the road that takes you to heart of the place via towers, slopes and lovely little shops. But first, let your curiosity be aroused by the history of the finds in the archaeological museum and the Spezeria di Santa Fina, and by the exhibits on display in the Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery, all inside the same building.
You will fall in love with San Gimignano's two main piazzas: in the first, piazza Duomo, a visit to the cathedral is absolutely mandatory, as is a climb to the top of Torre Grosso to savour the beautiful panorama of Val d'Elsa. The second is piazza della Cisterna, an extremely lively social spot where the market stalls stand and important civic events take place. Lastly, before leaving, give San Gimignano a worthy salute by taking your better half by the hand and leading them along the historic walls. It being spring, you can expect to find the quiet Tuscan countryside wearing its brightest colours.
The final stretch of your romantic weekend in Tuscany is about thirty kilometres long and takes you to Volterra, an astonishing town in the Province of Pisa. The alabaster city, as it is known, will leave you with some special moments thanks to its indescribable beauty, a beauty with deeper roots than the Middle Ages, as you will quickly realise with a walk along the Etruscan walls, which are just outside the centre, and a look at the ruins of the Roman theatre. In the centre, beyond an extraordinary web of narrow, warm-coloured streets, the piazza dei Priori will enchant you with its elegant palazzi. If you prefer to see the ecclesiastical heart of the city, go the less busy piazza San Giovanni, where you can visit Volterra's cathedral and baptistery.
Choose the hour at sunset to conclude your weekend for two. Volterra will not disappoint you. Leave the city centre and walk the walls. From there you gaze over the town, its palaces and its rooftops which, in the late sunlight, will glow even more intensely red.
There is no better way to begin the second day of your romantic weekend than with a beautiful hilltop town: San Gimignano, the city of towers. Start your discovery of the medieval city from piazza Sant'Agostino, where you will find one of its most important churches. Follow then the road that takes you to heart of the place via towers, slopes and lovely little shops. But first, let your curiosity be aroused by the history of the finds in the archaeological museum and the Spezeria di Santa Fina, and by the exhibits on display in the Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery, all inside the same building.
You will fall in love with San Gimignano's two main piazzas: in the first, piazza Duomo, a visit to the cathedral is absolutely mandatory, as is a climb to the top of Torre Grosso to savour the beautiful panorama of Val d'Elsa. The second is piazza della Cisterna, an extremely lively social spot where the market stalls stand and important civic events take place. Lastly, before leaving, give San Gimignano a worthy salute by taking your better half by the hand and leading them along the historic walls. It being spring, you can expect to find the quiet Tuscan countryside wearing its brightest colours.
The final stretch of your romantic weekend in Tuscany is about thirty kilometres long and takes you to Volterra, an astonishing town in the Province of Pisa. The alabaster city, as it is known, will leave you with some special moments thanks to its indescribable beauty, a beauty with deeper roots than the Middle Ages, as you will quickly realise with a walk along the Etruscan walls, which are just outside the centre, and a look at the ruins of the Roman theatre. In the centre, beyond an extraordinary web of narrow, warm-coloured streets, the piazza dei Priori will enchant you with its elegant palazzi. If you prefer to see the ecclesiastical heart of the city, go the less busy piazza San Giovanni, where you can visit Volterra's cathedral and baptistery.
Choose the hour at sunset to conclude your weekend for two. Volterra will not disappoint you. Leave the city centre and walk the walls. From there you gaze over the town, its palaces and its rooftops which, in the late sunlight, will glow even more intensely red.