VI
Florence, Italy's renowned art capital, is a hub of some of the most iconic medieval cultural values. Even its name, with its majestic appearance, sparks curiosity. Florence is beautifully serene and magnificent, nestled amidst the majestic Tuscan mountains, where the romantic Arno River flows and the ancient yet bustling Vecchio Bridge crosses.
Day 1: Visit the romantic and charming city of Assisi
From Florence, visitors can travel to Assisi, a small town nestled on the western slopes of Monte Subasio in central-western Italy. In autumn, the mornings are cool and crisp, with many strangely charming narrow streets. The houses in this neighborhood are built with a special type of stone that is pale pink, hard, and lustrous. Because it is autumn, if the sun shines, the entire row of houses will glow with a bright white light and sparkle like pearls. At night, Assisi is even more enchanting. Everything is brightly lit by the golden light from cafes, restaurants, squares, and windows reflecting the shimmering light. The central square is one of the ideal places not to be missed when visiting this town. It is the oldest and most beautiful square in Italy. Standing on the octagonal bell tower in the square, you can see the entire cityscape. Strolling around the square in the evenings, you can shop for anything you want at the stalls set up on the sidewalks, where locals and tourists still bustle about.
The fairytale-like houses in Assisi change the color of their walls depending on the sunlight, offering visitors a surprisingly delightful experience.
Day 2: Val d'Orcia, Tuscany's agricultural wonderland.
Leaving Assisi and taking a train to the Val d'Orcia valley, visitors will be overwhelmed by the picturesque scenery of Tuscany with its beautiful villages, ancient castles, and farms… all imbued with the peaceful, tranquil, and cozy atmosphere of the Italian countryside. In particular, the town of Pienza, the world's first "idea-built city," is a must-see destination, with its ochre-colored houses built around a vast square, harmoniously blending with nature.
Surrounding the town are the vast fields and vineyards of the tranquil Val d'Orcia region, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Day 3: Cinque Terre, Italy's stunning city.
Leaving Florence, visitors can rent a bicycle and continue their journey to the world-famous ancient city of Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre comprises five small villages, from north to south: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. These villages are the result of thousands of years of peasant labor, who transformed the steep coastal cliffs into terraced vineyards and built brightly colored, tower-like houses, each taller than the last, ensuring no house obstructs the sea view of another.
Besides its stunningly beautiful and pristine natural scenery, Cinque Terre is also world-renowned for the vibrant beauty of its colorful houses.
Day 4: San Gimignano, a medieval painting.
In just about an hour's bus ride, you can reach San Gimignano delle Belle Torri, a small medieval town famous for its 14 well-preserved medieval towers, forming a unique skyline easily visible during your city tour. To access the town, you'll pass through city walls, perched atop a Tuscan hill carpeted with sunflowers, olive groves, and vines. The heart of San Gimignano consists of four large medieval squares and two main thoroughfares: Via San Matteo and Via San Giovanni, running north-south through the city.
The city of San Gimignano, also known as the "City of Beautiful Towers," is situated on a hilltop in the Siena province of Tuscany and is a must-see destination for tourists.
Day 5: Enchanted by the ancient city of Lucca
Getting to Lucca is simple; from Florence, there are daily direct trains to Lucca. After less than 20 minutes on the train, visitors will arrive in Lucca to discover the beauty that Italians are so proud of. In Lucca, one can rediscover its intact identity, from architecture, cuisine, shopping to the character of the local people... all untouched by urban development and tourism. The first impressive sight upon exiting the central train station in Lucca is a long, ancient brown brick wall, stacked in three layers and over ten meters high, surrounding the old city. Beyond the imposing walls of Lucca's old city, it feels like entering another world, as the entire space is enveloped in the antiquity of the medieval architectural structures.
On a journey to a new place, everyone hopes to experience the unspoiled beauty like that of Lucca.
Day 6: Pisa, the ancient city
Of course, everyone knows Italy for the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a famous marble bell tower. But besides the Leaning Tower, visitors to the ancient city of Pisa can also discover many mysterious and interesting structures, the most prominent of which is the medieval Duomo Cathedral, also known as Santa Maria Assunta. Originally designed with three main nave, it was later expanded to five. The facade of the Duomo di Pisa is decorated with marble and white stone, and features gray marble discs. The lines make full use of the characteristic curves of Gothic architecture.
The interior of the cathedral is decorated with black and white marble surfaces, a gilded ceiling, and a straight, painted dome.
Day 7: Enchanting Chianti
Chianti is Italy's most beautiful wine-producing region, renowned for its famous red wines. Located in the heart of Tuscany, stretching from Florence to Siena, the region has been producing wine since pre-Roman times. More and more tourists flock here to be captivated by the delicious wines and breathtaking scenery. Visitors can not only see and taste the wines but also enjoy regional specialties depending on the season, as well as traditional ingredients like olive oil, honey, fruit jams, and aromatic vinegars. Besides the delicious meals, the most special part of the trip is savoring the first harvest of Volpaia wines right on the vineyard hills.
Come here at this timeAt dusk, when the tourist buses have left, returning the city to its original state for the locals, you will find this place absolutely stunning.
