{"id":519,"date":"2011-05-19T18:09:27","date_gmt":"2011-05-19T16:09:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/walks.friday.ie\/?p=519"},"modified":"2026-04-02T15:44:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T14:44:04","slug":"the-top-ten-best-towns-of-tuscany-italy-day-trips-florence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/the-top-ten-best-towns-of-tuscany-italy-day-trips-florence","title":{"rendered":"6 Best Places to Stay in Tuscany: Cortona, Lucca, Montepulciano &#038; More"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Florence is great, but sometimes you need to get outside of the big city! Luckily, you have the Tuscan countryside just waiting to be explored. Renowned for its breath-taking landscapes, the best places to stay in Tuscany often enjoy the benefit of being nestled amidst rolling hills, vineyards, and olive groves.<\/p>\n<p>The views from these towns and villages can be stunning and provide a sense of serenity and natural beauty. And, luckily, they are less crowded and less influenced by mass tourism, preserving their original charm and beauty. The architecture, narrow streets, and quaint squares often retain their traditional character, providing an opportunity to step back in time.<\/p>\n<p>Have a look at our recommendations for the <strong>best places to stay in Tuscany:<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_23277\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23277\" class=\"wp-image-23277 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Tuscany-from-Florence_0232.jpg\" alt=\"Two people stand and look at the hilltop town of Piazza San Pietro, Tuscany, Italy, with red rooftops and green hills.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Tuscany-from-Florence_0232.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Tuscany-from-Florence_0232-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-23277\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The colourful view from the hilltop town of Piazza San Pietro, one of the best places to stay in Tuscany.<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/the-top-ten-best-towns-of-tuscany-italy-day-trips-florence\/#Lucca\" >Lucca<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/the-top-ten-best-towns-of-tuscany-italy-day-trips-florence\/#Pisa\" >Pisa<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/the-top-ten-best-towns-of-tuscany-italy-day-trips-florence\/#Montepulciano\" >Montepulciano<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/the-top-ten-best-towns-of-tuscany-italy-day-trips-florence\/#Montalcino\" >Montalcino<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/the-top-ten-best-towns-of-tuscany-italy-day-trips-florence\/#Arezzo\" >Arezzo<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/the-top-ten-best-towns-of-tuscany-italy-day-trips-florence\/#Cortona\" >Cortona<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/the-top-ten-best-towns-of-tuscany-italy-day-trips-florence\/#FAQs_%E2%80%93_Best_Places_to_Stay_in_Tuscany\" >FAQs &#8211; Best Places to Stay in Tuscany<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/the-top-ten-best-towns-of-tuscany-italy-day-trips-florence\/#How_much_time_should_I_stay_in_each_Tuscan_town\" >How much time should I stay in each Tuscan town?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/the-top-ten-best-towns-of-tuscany-italy-day-trips-florence\/#When_is_the_best_season_to_visit_Tuscanys_smaller_towns\" >When is the best season to visit Tuscany\u2019s smaller towns?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/the-top-ten-best-towns-of-tuscany-italy-day-trips-florence\/#Are_these_towns_expensive_to_visit_or_stay_in\" >Are these towns expensive to visit or stay in?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/the-top-ten-best-towns-of-tuscany-italy-day-trips-florence\/#How_do_I_get_around_between_the_towns\" >How do I get around between the towns?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/the-top-ten-best-towns-of-tuscany-italy-day-trips-florence\/#What_local_specialties_should_I_try_in_each_town\" >What local specialties should I try in each town?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lucca\"><\/span>Lucca<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Just a half-hour&#8217;s drive from Pisa you&#8217;ll find <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/visiting-lucca\">Lucca<\/a>, a town dating back to Roman times. Unlike larger tourist hotspots in the region, Lucca has managed to maintain a more intimate and laid-back atmosphere. And its historical heritage is well-preserved, making it perfect place to stay and explore over the course of a few days.<\/p>\n<p>Walking through the town&#8217;s narrow streets, you&#8217;ll encounter beautifully preserved medieval architecture, ancient churches, and Renaissance-era buildings. Don&#8217;t miss landmarks like the stunning Lucca Cathedral (Duomo di Lucca), the Guinigi Tower with its oak trees on the top, and the Piazza dell&#8217;Anfiteatro, a unique circular square built on the remains of an ancient Roman amphitheater.<\/p>\n<p>Lucca is perhaps most famous for its well-preserved city walls, which encircle the entire historic center. The walls are wide and provide a lovely promenade with beautiful views of the town&#8217;s rooftops and surrounding countryside. It&#8217;s an excellent place for a stroll, bike ride, or our favorite activity &#8211; a picnic!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3109\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3109\" class=\"wp-image-3109 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/San-Michele-in-Foro-is-a-Roman-Catholic-basilica-church-in-Lucca.-It-was-built-over-the-former-Roman-forum.-It-is-dedicated-to-Archangel-Michael-.jpg\" alt=\"San Michele in Foro, one of Lucca's many beautiful buildings\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/San-Michele-in-Foro-is-a-Roman-Catholic-basilica-church-in-Lucca.-It-was-built-over-the-former-Roman-forum.-It-is-dedicated-to-Archangel-Michael-.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/San-Michele-in-Foro-is-a-Roman-Catholic-basilica-church-in-Lucca.-It-was-built-over-the-former-Roman-forum.-It-is-dedicated-to-Archangel-Michael--768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-3109\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">San Michele in Foro, one of Lucca&#8217;s many beautiful buildings.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pisa\"><\/span>Pisa<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Yes, Pisa&#8217;s got the Leaning Tower, but that&#8217;s not the only reason to go.<\/p>\n<p>Just a half-hour&#8217;s drive southwest of Lucca, Pisa reached the height of its dominance in the 11th to 13th centuries. Thanks to the stunning churches, palaces, streets and squares of the era, Pisa still feels like a medieval powerhouse today. Come on the last Sunday of June to see the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.giocodelpontedipisa.it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gioco del Ponte<\/a>, a series of battles staged in medieval costume every year since at least the 16th century. And, okay, the Leaning Tower is pretty cool, too.<\/p>\n<p>Another great reason to stay in Pisa? The city has a fantastic dining scene! Don&#8217;t miss the <a href=\"https:\/\/devourtours.com\/blog\/best-restaurants-in-pisa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best restaurants in Pisa<\/a>, brought to you by our food-loving friends at Devour Tours.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Insider&#8217;s tip:<\/strong> Visit the Leaning Tower in the evening, as the sun&#8217;s just setting and after the tour buses have gone.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"attachment_9945\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9945\" class=\"wp-image-9945 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Pisa_Cathedral__Leaning_Tower_of_Pisa.jpg\" alt=\"Photo By Florian Hirzinger - http:\/\/www.fh-ap.com - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/w\/index.php?curid=39171135\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Pisa_Cathedral__Leaning_Tower_of_Pisa.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Pisa_Cathedral__Leaning_Tower_of_Pisa-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-9945\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">An estimated 5 million visitors make their way to the Leaning Tower each year!<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Montepulciano\"><\/span>Montepulciano<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Are you a wine-lover? Add this place to the list. If you\u00b4re not a wine-lover, then we think that you will be after visiting this place.<\/p>\n<p>Montepulciano is another one of our picks for the best places to stay in Tuscany. It&#8217;s biggest claim to fame is its Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a DOCG-rated wine that&#8217;s been consumed since the Middle Ages and is considered one of Italy&#8217;s best. You could spend a whole afternoon here wandering the small town&#8217;s medieval streets and taking advantage of the free wine, meat, and cheese samples offered in the stores, but don&#8217;t miss the town&#8217;s smattering of lovely palaces and churches, either.<\/p>\n<p>Then again, if you do spend your whole time in a wine shop, you&#8217;re in good company: After Henry James left Montepulciano, he said he struggled to recall the details of the town&#8230; because he&#8217;d spent all his time drinking!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_527\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-527\" class=\"wp-image-527 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/wine-barrels-and-wine-making-equipment-with-the-town-of-Montepulciano-in-background-Italy-.jpg\" alt=\"Montepulciano, a beautiful town known for its Vino Nobile is one of the best places to stay in Tuscany.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"833\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/wine-barrels-and-wine-making-equipment-with-the-town-of-Montepulciano-in-background-Italy-.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/wine-barrels-and-wine-making-equipment-with-the-town-of-Montepulciano-in-background-Italy--768x640.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-527\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Montepulciano and its wine are representative of Tuscany.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Montalcino\"><\/span>Montalcino<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Another town on our list of the best places to stay in Tuscany is Montalcino. It is smaller than Montepulciano (at some 5,000, its population is about a third of Montepulciano&#8217;s), and so it is also less touristy, even though its claim to fame is similar: It produces Brunello di Montalcino, often considered to be Italy&#8217;s best wine.<\/p>\n<p>Other than that, the town&#8217;s top boast is its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.orodimontalcino.it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Museo Civico e Diocesano d&#8217;Arte Sacra<\/a>, with a wealth of medieval and Renaissance works surprising for the town&#8217;s size. There&#8217;s also a majestic 14th-century castle, still complete with a public park and walk along the ramparts.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22343\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22343\" class=\"wp-image-22343 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Tour-guide-in-an-Italian-square.jpg\" alt=\"Tour guide talking to a group about the best towns and places to stay in Tuscany. \" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Tour-guide-in-an-Italian-square.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Tour-guide-in-an-Italian-square-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22343\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Small towns in Tuscany are full of history and secrets to be discovered.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Arezzo\"><\/span>Arezzo<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>This town served as the backdrop for scenes from <em>Life is Beautiful, <\/em>and when you come here, you see why: The historic center of Arezzo is lovely and unspoiled. Its tranquillity belies a powerful past that included being one of the 12 Etruscan capitals and then, in the Middle Ages, a wealthy independent republic.\u00a0Now home to nearly 100,000 people, it&#8217;s a hot spot for art and culture lovers.<\/p>\n<p>Arezzo&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/museiarezzo.it\/en\/museums-of-arezzo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Church of San Francesco<\/a> boasts a great cycle of frescoes by 15th-century master Piero della Francesca. Vasari&#8217;s frescoes in the Casa Vasari (<em>Via XX Settembre, 55<\/em>) depict an artist&#8217;s life journey, and the Archaeological Museum (<em>Via Margaritone, 10<\/em>) displays numerous ancient finds.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps it&#8217;s not surprising that Petrarch, the &#8220;father of humanism,&#8221; was born here in 1304.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_521\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-521\" class=\"wp-image-521 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Santa-Maria-delle-Pieve-the-old-Tribunal-Palace-and-the-Palace-of-the-Lay-Fraternity-Fraternita-dei-Laici-at-Piazza-Grande-square-in-Arezzo-Tuscany-Italy-.jpg\" alt=\"Arezzo, a beautiful town in Tuscany, Italy with lots of art and culture\" width=\"1000\" height=\"659\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Santa-Maria-delle-Pieve-the-old-Tribunal-Palace-and-the-Palace-of-the-Lay-Fraternity-Fraternita-dei-Laici-at-Piazza-Grande-square-in-Arezzo-Tuscany-Italy-.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Santa-Maria-delle-Pieve-the-old-Tribunal-Palace-and-the-Palace-of-the-Lay-Fraternity-Fraternita-dei-Laici-at-Piazza-Grande-square-in-Arezzo-Tuscany-Italy--768x506.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-521\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Piazza Grande, the main square in Arezzo.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cortona\"><\/span>Cortona<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>After Frances Mayes wrote about living here in <em>Under the Tuscan Sun, <\/em>Cortona, home to a population of around 22,000, wound up indelibly on the tourist map.<\/p>\n<p>We think this town, located smack in the middle of Italy, is well worth a stop for a day or an afternoon. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/best-views-of-italy-florence-rome-venice-photo-ops\">views alone are gorgeous<\/a>, spreading from this dramatic hilltop town over the rolling countryside and Lake Trasimeno. And there are lots of worthwhile sites, like the Museo dell&#8217;Accademia Etrusca, chock-full of ancient Etruscan gems from the nearby area.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22362\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22362\" class=\"wp-image-22362 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Chianti-landscape.jpg\" alt=\"Chianti fields in Tuscany, landscape\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Chianti-landscape.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Chianti-landscape-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22362\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The views alone are worth exploring Tuscany far and wide.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2 data-start=\"150\" data-end=\"198\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs_%E2%80%93_Best_Places_to_Stay_in_Tuscany\"><\/span>FAQs &#8211; Best Places to Stay in Tuscany<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 data-start=\"200\" data-end=\"613\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_much_time_should_I_stay_in_each_Tuscan_town\"><\/span><strong data-start=\"200\" data-end=\"256\">How much time should I stay in each Tuscan town?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"200\" data-end=\"613\">It depends on your pace and interests. Smaller towns like <strong data-start=\"317\" data-end=\"342\">Montalcino or Cortona<\/strong> can be enjoyed in half a day, while <strong data-start=\"379\" data-end=\"405\">Lucca, Pisa, or Arezzo<\/strong> are worth at least a full day or an overnight stay to explore their history, art, and food scene. Wine lovers may want to linger in <strong data-start=\"545\" data-end=\"562\">Montepulciano<\/strong> or <strong data-start=\"566\" data-end=\"580\">Montalcino<\/strong> for tastings and cellar tours.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"200\" data-end=\"613\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-21762\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Wine-tasting.jpg\" alt=\"Two people toasting with a glass of red wine and a glass of white wine.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Wine-tasting.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Wine-tasting-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"615\" data-end=\"970\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_is_the_best_season_to_visit_Tuscanys_smaller_towns\"><\/span><strong data-start=\"615\" data-end=\"677\">When is the best season to visit Tuscany\u2019s smaller towns?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"615\" data-end=\"970\">Spring (April\u2013June) and early autumn (September\u2013October) are ideal. The weather is mild, vineyards and olive groves are lush, and local festivals are often in full swing. Summer is beautiful but can be very hot and crowded, while winter offers quieter streets and a more local atmosphere.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"972\" data-end=\"1387\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_these_towns_expensive_to_visit_or_stay_in\"><\/span><strong data-start=\"972\" data-end=\"1014\">Are these towns expensive to visit or stay in?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"972\" data-end=\"1387\">Generally, they\u2019re more affordable than Florence or Siena. Accommodation, meals, and wine tastings in places like <strong data-start=\"1131\" data-end=\"1162\">Montepulciano or Montalcino<\/strong> can be good value, especially if you book locally-run agriturismi (farm stays). Pisa and Lucca, being more popular, may be slightly pricier, but you\u2019ll still find plenty of budget-friendly trattorias and family-run hotels.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1389\" data-end=\"1739\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_get_around_between_the_towns\"><\/span><strong data-start=\"1389\" data-end=\"1434\">How do I get around between the towns?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1389\" data-end=\"1739\">The easiest way is by car, which gives you flexibility to explore the best places to stay at your own pace and stop at vineyards or viewpoints along the way. Trains and buses connect bigger towns like Pisa, Lucca, and Arezzo, but hilltop towns such as Montepulciano and Montalcino are best reached by car or organized tours.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1741\" data-end=\"2149\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_local_specialties_should_I_try_in_each_town\"><\/span><strong data-start=\"1741\" data-end=\"1797\">What local specialties should I try in each town?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1741\" data-end=\"2149\">Every Tuscan town has its own flavor! <strong data-start=\"1838\" data-end=\"1847\">Lucca<\/strong> is famous for farro soup and olive oil; <strong data-start=\"1888\" data-end=\"1896\">Pisa<\/strong> for cecina (chickpea flatbread) and fresh seafood; <strong data-start=\"1948\" data-end=\"1965\">Montepulciano<\/strong> for its Vino Nobile wine; <strong data-start=\"1992\" data-end=\"2006\">Montalcino<\/strong> for Brunello di Montalcino; <strong data-start=\"2035\" data-end=\"2045\">Arezzo<\/strong> for hearty stews and rustic breads; and <strong data-start=\"2086\" data-end=\"2097\">Cortona<\/strong> for traditional Tuscan pastas and truffle dishes. This list of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/what-foods-to-eat-in-umbria-and-tuscany-culinary-specialties-florence\">best dishes in Umbrian and Tuscan cuisine<\/a> will wet your appetite for sure.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1741\" data-end=\"2149\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20780\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Italian-White-Truffle-.jpg\" alt=\"Someone shaving truffles on top of a bowl of pasta.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Italian-White-Truffle-.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Italian-White-Truffle--768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1741\" data-end=\"2149\"><strong>Ready to see Tuscany\u2019s rolling hills and medieval villages for yourself?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1741\" data-end=\"2149\">Join our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/florence-tours\/tuscany-day-trips-from-florence\/\"><strong data-start=\"211\" data-end=\"245\">Tuscany Day Trip from Florence<\/strong><\/a>, where you\u2019ll explore charming hill towns, taste incredible wines, and soak up the very best of the Tuscan countryside, all without the stress of planning it yourself. From scenic vineyard views to historic piazzas and delicious local dishes, this experience brings together everything that makes Tuscany so special.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"458\" data-end=\"538\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"><strong>Step beyond Florence and discover the heart of Tuscany in one unforgettable day.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div style=\"display: none;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7773\" src=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/walks-pinterest-735-X-1500-10-502x1024.png\" alt=\"The view over the roofs of Montalcino makes it one of the top ten towns of Tuscany. Find out the others.\" width=\"502\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: none;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7775 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/HOW-TO-DRESS-11-358x1024.png\" alt=\"Montepulciano with it's wine barrels and the piazza grande from Arezzo. Find out where else made our top ten towns of tuscany list. \" width=\"358\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Florence is great, but sometimes you need to get outside of the big city! Luckily, you have the Tuscan countryside just waiting to be explored. Renowned for its breath-taking landscapes, the best places to stay in Tuscany often enjoy the benefit of being nestled amidst rolling hills, vineyards, and olive groves. The views from these [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":21789,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[298,67,126],"ppma_author":[155],"class_list":["post-519","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-things-to-do","tag-countryside","tag-tuscany","tag-wine"],"authors":[{"term_id":155,"user_id":3,"is_guest":0,"slug":"walksofitaly","display_name":"Walks of Italy","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9f4cd4dd0c5ab4b4bae57f3500298e23?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog","last_name":"of Italy","first_name":"Walks","job_title":"","description":"Walks began life as the passion project of two guys with one simple mission: To share their love for, and knowledge of, the city of Rome. Since then, Walks has grown into a team of over 100 ground staff and at any time up to 600 guides, operating across 13 of the world\u2019s most exciting cities (and counting!)\r\n\r\nToday we provide some of the most exclusive and beautifully designed small group tours in the industry through Italy-based Walks of Italy and around the world at Walks, where we offer special access to some of the world\u2019s most iconic landmarks and attractions as well as unique cultural experiences."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/519"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=519"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/519\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25154,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/519\/revisions\/25154"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21789"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=519"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=519"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=519"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=519"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}