What To Do - 101 Things to do in Florence and Tuscany

The region that holds the key to incredible beauty, with lush green pastures and ambling hills make Tuscany a land of dreams which seem to effortlessly rise from the morning mist. With unmistakable pine trees that line valleys and lanes, Tuscany saw the surge in the art revolution with Da Vinci and Michelangelo leading the way to new dimensions in the Renaissance period. Even the Italian language itself owes Tuscany its origins as we know it today. Florence, Pisa, Lucca and Siena will leave you breathless with the sheer abundance of art, drama, flavours, sounds and sights.

1. Share a Bistecca alla Fiorentina the legendry hunk of Chianina Beef,which is revered for its tenderness when cooked over an open flame on a cast iron grill. Simple perfection.
2. Take a sightseeing tour – hop on and hop off in Florence.
3. Drink a bottle of Chianti Ruffino with your friends.
4. Stay in a lovely hotel in the city centre we have a lot for you to choose from!
5. Opt for the Villa la Vedette, in Florence if you do not want to stay right in the city, it enjoys fantastic views of Florence beneath and an excellent dining experience.
6. Wear comfortable shoes if you intend sight-seeing, some streets have cobbled stones.
7. Visit the Duomo, an iconic landmark. The red tiled dome dominates the Florentine skyline, but the pink, white and green marbled facade is mesmerising. It took 150 years to complete.
8. Step inside; although rather sparse the decorations and the glass windows are worth viewing.
9. Take the 463 step up to the Cathedral Dome built and designed by Brunelleschi which at the time was the largest dome ever built and see the 365 degree panoramic view of Florence and the surrounding Tuscany.
10. If that is not enough take the 414 step into the Campanile (bell tower) designed by Giotto in 1334
11. Right in front of the Duomo is the Baptistery; it's one of the oldest buildings in Florence with its gilded bronze doors which took Ghiberti 27 years to complete the 'Gate of Paradise', or Pisano's southern doors. Check out the internal marvellous ceilings and the baptismal font.
12. Sip an aperitif at Cafe Gilli, a historical cafe with the elegant art nouveau ceiling frescoes.
13. Visit Galleria dell' Accademia and see Michelangelo's David which was made out of one piece of Marble. It is THE worlds' most famous sculpture, weighs 19 tonnes and stands at 5.16m tall.
14. Rub the Porkers snout at the Fontana del Porcellino (Piglet Fountain) at the Mercato Nuovo. Throw a coin in the water and you are bound to return to Florence again according to legend.
15. Go to Via de Tornabuoni, Florence's drawing room aptly dubbed so due to the sheer amount of designer Fashion shops
16. See the Palazzo Strozzi, a renaissance colossus that was never completed and said to have been erected by the rivals of the Medici Family, the Strozzi. It houses art exhibitions today.
17. Book your tickets for museums on line and avoid long queues.
18. If there is one museum that is a must it will have to be the Uffizi Gallery. Designed by Vasari and other architects after him to house the ever growing collection of art masterpieces of the Medici Family. Be prepared to spend an entire day here unless you decide ahead, which artists or period you want to visit.
19. The collection spans from ancient Greek culture to the 18th Century Venetian paintings. A must see is the Sala Del Botticelli famous for the Primavera (spring) and the Annunciation.
20. Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian, Tintoretto, Gentileschi, Piero della Francesca and many more masters make the Uffizi an incredible force in the art world, a paradise for art lovers.
21. Refresh yourself at the Cafe Rivoire after visiting the Uffizi
22. Relish in the beauty of the Piazza della Signoria, the Fontana di Nettuno, the Loggia and the Palazzo Vecchio. Read about the colourful history of this square.
23. The climax of the greedy Medici is shown in the Salone dei Cinquecento where not only can you see the impressive battle scenes as painted by Visari but also Cosimo I portrayed as a god in the centre of the exquisite panelled ceiling, simply staggering.
24. Walk along Ponte Vecchio, the only bridge that was not demolished by the retreating Germans during the WWII, and marvel at the sheer amount of jewellery shops.
25. Look at the river Arno below you from the Ponte Vecchio and take the obligatory photos
26. The River Arno Flooded in 1966 and ravaged Florence, you can still see markings on the walls where showing the levels the water reached.
27. Take a leisurely stroll along the river, it becomes special when there is a slight drizzle of rain at sunset.
28. Watch the birds catch fish in the river.
29. Buy marble coloured paper from Pineider the local stationer dating back to 1774, now a brand name.
30. Visit the Basilica di San Lorenzo, you will find some 50 Medici family members buried here.
31. The mausoleum, Cappelle Medicee is the principal burial place to this family of rulers adorned in granite and semiprecious stones. Incredible.
32. Visit the Palazzo Pitti – rivals to the Medici, worth seeing is the Silver Museum as well as the Royal apartments. Be prepared to be stunned at the sheer amount of opulence.
33. Walk up to the Giardino di Boboli and enjoy a picnic
34. Drink coffee at Cafe Giocosa, the place where the aperitif Negroni was created. You might be standing next to Roberto Cavalli (famous designer) who often goes to this bar.
35. Talking about designers visit Salvatore Ferragamo's shoe museum. This gentleman created handmade shoes to Hollywood stars in the fifties and sixties. Today his brand lives on.
36. See Scoppio del Carro (the explosion of the Cart) a cart of fireworks is exploded in front of the Cathedral on Easter Sunday
37. Take in the bustle and the Florentine character in the markets of Marcato Centrale and the Mercato Sant Ambrogio. Smell all different aromas of cheeses, meats, cold cuts, olives and other delicacies.
38. Are you into Jazz? Then visit the Jazz Club, a strictly Jazz venue hosting local and national acts.
39. Tenax is the biggest venue for live bands and is towards the Northwest of town. Great music, great place, ideal if you want to party
40. Another good dance club is Central Park and enjoys five different dance floors, comes complete with top DJ's. Enjoy Latin, Pop, House and Drum 'n Bass music
41. Buy aprons and boxer shorts emblazoned with David's 'family jewels' it and give them to friends back home. Kitsch yes but fun!
42. Try the bolito misto (boiled meats)and the Osso bucco at Leonardo or Trattoria Mario
43. On the 24th June, Florence's patron saint – St John is celebrated with the calcio storico (Medieval football) matches on Piazza di Santa Croce and fireworks over Piazzale Michelangelo.
44. Watch an opera or theatrical drama at Teatro Verdi
45. Enjoy a live concert in summer. Check out what's on in Florence.
46. Visit the oldest pharmacy in Florence the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica Di Santa Maria Novella and buy some of their trademark balms, soaps and lotions.
47. Take a train to Rome, Bologna or Milan from the Central train station at Santa Maria Novella
48. Stay in one of the lovely Agriturizmo and enjoy the fresh country air, the grazing cows and the simple lifestyle.
49. Read some of Dante's works. He is the father of the Italian language – sure enough a Tuscan!
50. Watch La Vita e Bella, by Roberto Begnini. One of Italys' best actors, known for his satire, love of Dante and comedy.
51. Florence is well known for the leather which is made into bags, jackets, shoes, trousers and a multitude of other objects. Tempting enough to buy at some very good prices.
52. Do as the locals do – hire a bicycle and roam around Florence and along the river.
53. Driving is not allowed in central Florence – avoid getting a hefty fine!
54. Listen to Italian music on your IPod.
55. Try the Finocchiona – salami which has a distinctive taste of fennel.
56. Still in a tasty mode, then sample the soprassata, all air dried meats finely cut and served cold.
57. Dine at the famous and very expensive Pinchiorre restaurant, an old converted town house with delightful owners and award winning chefs!
58. Take our Chianti Break, visit the Chianti, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni area.
59. Get a fully qualified Driver - Francesco to take you out of Florence, he speaks excellent English and drives a lovely Mercedes. He will give you a guided tour of the surrounding villages you will pass. Many options available call ChooseItaly.com for rates and availability.
60. Siena one of Italy's most enchanting cities and the eternal rival to Florence is not a place to be left out whilst enjoying Tuscany.
61. The Palio is a must see. This spectacular event is held twice yearly on the 2nd July and the 16h August and dates back to the middle ages, a pageant of colours, banners and a race between the horses of the 17 contrade (town districts)with the prize being the coveted silk banner known as Il Palio. Exhilarating as much as it can be nerve crunching.
62. If you are not in Siena on these dates, get a glimpse of it, whilst watching the latest James Bond movie Quantum of Solace (partly filmed in Siena during the Palio) or watch it live on Rai Television on both dates.
63. Sit down at one of the cafes at Il Campo (the square) and eat a lovely plate of Pappardelle con la Lepre (Ribbon pasta with wild hare) for lunch.
64. Walk through the streets of Siena and enjoy the gothic architecture as well as the narrow and winding roads of the various contradas.
65. The Duomo is worth visiting and is one the greatest gothic churches in Italy. Worth seeing are Pinturicchio's frescoes depicting the lives of the Piccolomini in the Library dedicated to him or as he is better known Pope Pius II.
66. Watch Siena's football team Chievo play against Fiorentina! Rivalry at its best.
67. Enjoy a plate of Risotto and Porcini Mushrooms in one of the wooden clad typical Osteria.
68. A must have is the Cinta Sinese which is a traditional pork dish, try that for mains!
69. Panforte (a rich cake made with almonds, honey and candied fruits) was created in Siena during the Crusades, still sinfully delicious today. Desserts anyone?
70. Monteriggione is a quaint little town nestled within the high fortification walls. Worth visiting the small chapel and more so having the Bistecca Fiorentina in one of the restaurants there. Unbelievable goodness.
71. Lucca is gorgeous old city nestled within its protective and imposing walls. Take a train out from Pisa.
72. Puccini was born and raised in Lucca, he is famous for his operas including Tosca and Madame Butterfly. The nearby village of Torre del Lago hosts the annual Puccini Festival in July and August. Book early if attending.
73. Visit Lucca's Catedrale di San Martino and Tintoretto's last supper.
74. Take a leisurely stroll along this small city and marvel at its architecture, dainty squares, towers and botanical gardens.
75. If you are into exploring caves than the Grotta del Vento is ideal, situated in the centre of the Apian Alps' Natural Park, this is one of the most complete European caves, presenting an extraordinary variety of phenomena which are outlined with competence and precision by expert speleological guides. Choose from 3 itineries
76. Drive to Marina di Carrara and spend a day at the beach there.
77. Whilst in Tuscany you must visit Pisa. Not only to see the gravity defying leaning Tower of Pisa and the surrounding lovely Piazza dei Miracoli but also for its rivalry with other maritime cities of Genoa and Venice.
78. Admission to the tower is by guided tour and only 40 persons at a time, you will have to walk up some 300 steps, some of which can be slippery.
79. Take a short walk towards the city centre and see one of Italy's oldest universities in Piazza dei Cavallieri.
80. Try and count the number of 8 pointed crosses painted on the walls or the statue that stands in the middle of this square.
81. Stay at the delightful Calamidoro Hotel and enjoy a round of golf, dip into the one of their many swimming pools or enjoy some beauty treatments.
82. Be adventurous and drive along the Chianti road, stopping at the many vineyards and sampling their wines.
83. Have a feast on Trippa alla Fiorentina, (Tripe) served with loads of fresh bread. Yummy!
84. Hunt for Truffles – a delicacy (you will need a specially trained dog for this!) in October at San Miniato you have 1500 acres of land for your search!
85. Read all about Caravaggio who is the master of the Chiaro Scuro
86. A multitude of olive groves adorn this region, which is famous for its Tuscan oil, undoubtedly the best oil in Italy. Try it with plain fresh bread and drizzle it over your favourite foods.
87. Better still buy some olive oil and take it home with you. You can some 50 odd olive oils to choose from!
88. Take a bus ride to Fiesole, a bijou village perched in hills 9km of Florence will seduce you with its spectacular views.
89. The Brunello di Montalcino is probably one of the noblest wines in Italy. It has been winning awards and a must for any wine lover. Yes you guessed it – its Tuscan!
90. If ever there was a perfect marriage it must be Cheese and wine easily enjoyed in a Tuscan Enoteca.
91. Visit Pistoia, only 45 minutes northwest of Florence by train and at the foot of the Apennine Mountains. The main square Piazza del Duomo has a market on Wednesdays and Saturday mornings.
92. Elba is the largest and most populated island of the Tuscan Archipelago. This Island was home during the exile of Napoleon and enjoys glorious blue waters, clean beaches, mountain treks and a delicious cuisine.
93. Take a literary journey and visit the Pinocchio Park in Collodi, a wonderland for children and grown-ups alike.
94. Visit the Medieval walled town of San Gimignano with its 14 towers. Go to the Palazzo Comunale and climb up the stairs of Torre Grossa for the spectacular view of the town and surrounding countryside
95. Buy photos or postcards and send to your friends.
96. Get lost in Chianti, the gentle hills between Florence and Siena
97. Go to Parco Regionale della Maremma, a spectacular nature park.
98. Visit the Terme di Saturnia, this is a thermal spa. You can spend a whole day dipping yourself in the hot natural pools and pampering yourself with the four hand massage, showers and other fat reducing therapies.
99. Visit the antiques fair in Piazza Grande on the first weekend of each month in Arezzo. The homeland of the renaissance poet Petrarch and Giorgio Vasari, one of the greatest contributors of Renaissance Florence.
100. Watch the movie Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes which was mainly shot in Crotona
101. The temptations for tasting typical excellent food is high, try from the Ribollita (soup) Panzanella (Summer Salad) Pici all'aglione (pasta with garlic and tomato sauce)panzerotti, the list is endless.