The Rough Guide to Tuscany and Umbria
Language: English
Pages: 384
ISBN: 140937176X
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
This 'Rough Guide to Tuscany & Umbria' is a definitive handbook to one of Europe's most popular regions. It includes descriptions of the historic sights, up-to-the-minute reviews of hotels and restaurants, and much more.
Francis established his order here. One of the earliest Franciscan saints, Bonaventure, was the prior at Bosco ai Frati. A man of exemplary modesty, he refused to put on the cardinal’s attire brought to him by a papal delegation until he’d finished washing up his brothers’ pots and pans; the tree where the outfit was hung is still there. Cosimo il Vecchio sank a lot of money into this monastery, hiring Michelozzo to redesign the complex; the tiny museum attached to Michelozzo’s porticoed church
the third of the city’s trio of outstanding churches. A trip to Lucca is not complete without strolling part of the panoramic and tree-lined promenade atop the walls, accessed from almost any part of the city. Lucca’s proximity to Pisa makes it an excellent first or last Tuscan stop if you’re flying in or out of Pisa airport. It’s also an easy day-trip from Florence (the train takes around an hour), though it’s also well worth at least an overnight stay. zoom left zoom right ON THE PUCCINI
admission to their strips and rent out chairs and umbrellas; there are free public beaches (spiaggia pubblica), however, at regular intervals. For a swim and some sun in cheerfully crowded conditions, this coast is not as bad as it’s usually painted: there are beach cafés and restaurants, the water may be cleaner elsewhere but it’s not filthy, and the sand is immaculately groomed. Bus and train links to all points are excellent, especially in the summer, when you can move up and down the coast
Rome (hourly; 1hr 30min–2hr 30min); Siena (8 daily; 1hr 20min). Bus destinations Castiglione della Pescaia (6–11 daily; 20–45min); Florence (8 daily; 2hr 30min); Massa Marittima (2 daily; 1hr 15min); Orbetello (3 daily; 1hr); Roccatederighi (2 daily; 1hr 10min); Siena (10 daily; 1hr 35min). INFORMATION Tourist office Via Monterosa 206, about 2km north of the old centre and 1km northeast of the train station (Mon–Sat 9am–1pm, also April–Oct 4.30–6.30pm; 0564 462 611, turismogrosseto.it,
brand extension, such as Gucci monogrammed golf clubs and scuba flippers. Contemporary art from the vast collection of François-Henri Pinault, boss of the company that owns Gucci, is also on show; there’s a bookshop, café and of course a gift shop too. Palazzo Vecchio Piazza della Signoria • April–Sept Mon–Wed & Sun 9am–midnight, Thurs 9am–2pm; Oct–March daily 9am–7pm • Palazzo €10, or €14 with Torre di Arnolfo • museicivicifiorentini.comune.fi.it Probably designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, the