Tuscany in 7 days — Florence, Siena and the cypress roads of Val d'Orcia

Florence

💬 The tram stops right outside arrivals; validate the ticket on board.

Florence

💬 Built into a medieval tower two minutes from the Duomo; quiet at night despite the location.

Florence

💬 Walk up from San Niccolò through the rose garden rather than taking the bus.

Florence

💬 Bistecca alla fiorentina is sold by weight — usually about a kilo for two, served rare.

Florence

Florence Cathedral with Brunelleschi's 15th-century dome, Giotto's bell tower and the Baptistery.

💬 The Brunelleschi Pass gives the dome climb a fixed time slot; book two to three weeks ahead.

Florence

One of the world's great Renaissance collections, in the Medici offices by the Arno.

💬 Timed entry; do the Botticelli rooms first, then coffee on the terrace above the Loggia dei Lanzi.

Florence

💬 Best seen from the next bridge downstream, Ponte Santa Trinita.

Florence

💬 Take the first slot of the day; you'll have David almost to yourself for ten minutes.

Florence

💬 Downstairs is the traditional market (try a lampredotto sandwich); upstairs is the food hall.

Florence

💬 Boboli is steep in places — go up to the Kaffeehaus terrace for the view.

Florence

💬 A spritz and snacks on the steps with the locals.

Siena

💬 Never drive into Florence's ZTL (limited-traffic zone) — cameras fine you automatically.

Siena

Shell-shaped medieval square where the Palio horse race is run each July and August.

💬 Sit on the sloping brick like everyone else; coffees on the rim cost double.

Siena

Romanesque-Gothic cathedral with a striped marble interior, the Piccolomini Library and an inlaid marble floor.

💬 The OPA SI pass covers the cathedral, crypt, baptistery and museum; the inlaid marble floor is fully uncovered only part of the year.

Siena

💬 Park outside the walls and use the public escalators or lifts up into the centre.

Val d'Orcia

Small Renaissance 'ideal town' rebuilt by Pope Pius II, overlooking the Val d'Orcia.

💬 Walk the panoramic wall and the little lanes like Via dell'Amore; buy aged pecorino di Pienza.

Val d'Orcia

💬 Pick one between Pienza and San Quirico; many serve dinner from their own farm.

Val d'Orcia

💬 Walk in on the gravel track from the road near San Quirico; golden light before sunset.

Val d'Orcia

💬 Pici pasta with ragù or cacio e pepe.

Val d'Orcia

💬 Book a winery visit and choose a designated driver — the roads are winding.

Val d'Orcia

Village whose main square is a Renaissance-era pool of thermal water.

💬 The pool in the square is for looking only; the free hot streams below the village are where people dip their feet.

Val d'Orcia

💬 Steep walk up the Corso; several historic cellars under the main street offer Vino Nobile tastings.

Florence

12th-century Romanesque abbey church near Castelnuovo dell'Abate, south of Montalcino.

💬 Romanesque abbey among olive trees; quiet and beautiful in the morning.

Florence

💬 About two hours via the Siena–Florence highway; allow time to refuel.