Tuscany Things To Do

Built by Vasari in 1560 as the Medici administrative offices (hence their name), the Uffizi are home to Botticelli’s "Birth of Venus,” Michelangelo's "Tondo Doni,” Da Vinci’s "Annunciation," and Caravaggio's "Medusa" to name but a few. Work is under way to double the exhibition space by 2010. Allow between three hours and a full day.

While this a must-stop for Michelangelo's iconic David and his powerful unfinished Slaves meant for the tomb of Pope Julius II, most visitors fail to appreciate the museum's Gothic and Renaissance paintings and its remarkable collection of musical instruments. Late openings are usually scheduled on one or two nights weekly throughout the summer months.

Originally the headquarters of the town's top magistrate and prison, the Bargello became a museum in 1865 and now houses the most comprehensive collection of Donatello’s sculptural works, plus pieces by other Renaissance greats like Cellini, Verrocchio, Giambologna, Ghiberti, Brunelleschi, and Michelangelo. The ticket is a bargain and queues are nonexistent. Closed 2nd and 4th Mondays.

Santa Maria del Fiore was built to Arnolfo di Cambio's project starting September 8th, 1296. Added in 1436, Brunelleschi's iconic dome is well worth both the €9.50 ticket and the 463-step climb. The remains of the former Santa Reparata cathedral can be seen at a lower level, while the façade dates from the 19th century.

Famed as the Pantheon of Italian Greats, the city's Franciscan basilica houses the tombs of the likes of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo. Every nave, sacristy, and cloister contains masterpieces – notably Brunelleschi's Pazzi Chapel and Giotto's groundbreaking frescoes in the Bardi and Peruzzi chapels. The unremarkable façade is a 19th-century addition.

Built by Luca Pitti and later bought by the Medici, the palace contains five museums: the Palatine Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Costume Gallery, the Museo degli Argenti, and the Porcelain Museum. The 79-acre Boboli Gardens rank among the world's finest landscaped gardens. Buy the three-day joint ticket if you plan on visiting the whole complex.

Made famous in Frances Mayes' 1997 book and the film Under The Tuscan Sun, this romantic hilltop town is believed to be one of Italy's oldest continually inhabited towns. Soak up the atmosphere and Valdichiana Valley views in the lively Piazza della Repubblica.

Come face-to-face with the original paintings that adorn so many cards and posters the world over. See Boticelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera, as well as important works by Da Vinci and Raphael.

This winery in the famous Chianti district has been owned by the Ricasoli family since 1167. Because it's one of the first Chianti producers, a visit to their cellars for a guided wine tasting is a must.

Stroll through the enchanting Renaissance gardens at the Palazzo Pitti, landscaped for the Medici family in 1550. Don’t miss the amphitheatre and Viottolone – an avenue of cypresses and statues with breathtaking views over Florence.