Florence Excursions

Siena
Siena is one of Italy’s most charming cities.  In Siena, you will find numerous churches and small museums.  The city is surrounded by medieval walls and filled with examples of Gothic architecture.  Siena is said to have been founded by the son of Remus, one of the founders of Rome.  In the 12th century, Siena was a center of commerce, banking, and trade.  However, when the city was conquered by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and then handed over to Cosimo Ide’Medici, the operating of banks was prohibited.  Today Siena’s prosperity relies mainly on tourism.  Il Campo is a magnificent square that has been Siena’s civic center since the 14th century.  The Museo is adorned with frescoes by artists of the Sienese School.  The Piazzo del Duomo is one of Italy’s greatest Gothic churches.  The Bapistry of St. John is home to bronze panels on which several artists depict the life of John the Baptist.  These are just a few highlights that await you in this magnificent city.

Carnevale di Viareggio
A trip to Italy is not complete if it doesn’t include the experience of Carnevale in the town of Viareggio.  The town became renowned as a resort in 1860.  In 1873 a group of young men from Viareggio sponsored the first Carnevale. What began as a parade of several floats along the town’s main street has evolved into an event that attracts tourists from throughout Italy and the world.  Carnevale was at its height of popularity at the turn of the century.  The event weathered the difficult years of WWI and flourished once again in the 1920s.  It was during this decade that the use of papier-mâché became prevalent.  During WWII the event once again fell on hard times, but in the 1950s the parades were televised on Italian television and once again the event’s popularity soared.  Today Viareggio’s Carnevale is at the height of its popularity.  Five great parades are held during the five weekends before lent.  In addition to the parade itself tourists can visit Carnevale hangars where Carnevale can be enjoyed all year long.  Other attractions include a papier-mâché school and a museum which depicts the history of Carnevale di Viareggio.   

Pisa
Once a powerful independent maritime republic, Pisa is now a lively university town. The city has been full of students for centuries, with Galileo included among the university’s long history of professors. The renowned Leaning Tower of Pisa is only one of the many picturesque historical sites Pisa has to offer. Visit Pisa’s majestic Cathedral and Baptistry, or go to the Cemetery or any of Pisa’s museums to see the city’s treasured works of art. Go for a walk along the Borgo Stretto and explore the medieval heart of the city. Any of Pisa’s many charming squares are a great place to shop, sightsee, or just drink coffee and watch the world go by.

Parma
Parma, a charming city of 200,000, has long been an inspiration to a long line of musical greats, including Verdi, Toscanini, and Stendhal. In addition to its turbulent history, Parma is famous for its food, namely Parmesan cheese and Parma ham (prosciutto). Visit the daily produce market for a healthy snack, or sample some Emilian cuisine at one of Parma’s many restaurants. Don’t forget to leave room for gelato! Piazza Garibaldi, the center of Parma, is a great place to explore. If you’re up for a walk, head for the beautiful public gardens at Parco Ducale. To get a taste of Parma’s fascinating history, visit the Museo di Glauco Lombardi, or the Cathedral and Baptistry in Piazza del Duomo. If you visit the cathedral, take time out to see the nearby Chiesa di San Giovanni Evangelista. An interesting addition to this church is the ancient pharmacy, accessible through a small door on the north side.

Lucca
Lucca is a charming little town with approximately 87,000 inhabitants. Most cars are not allowed in the city, so you can enjoy a stroll through the town center without the hustle and bustle of traffic. Founded in 180 BC, Lucca is known for its magnificent cathedrals, such as the Romanesque cathedral in Piazza San Martino, which dates from the 11th century. In addition to the cathedrals’ breath-taking facades, don’t miss the timeless works of art on display inside. While you’re out seeing the sights, you may want to take a walk along the top of Lucca’s 16th century ramparts for a terrific view of the city. The city is also home to many affordable trattorias, where you can enjoy a variety of Luccanese specialties.

Arezzo
Arezzo is a small city in Eastern Tuscany and is only a day’s trip from Florence.  Highlights of this city include the Piazza Grande, the Chiesa di San Francisco and the Pieve di Santa Maria.

The Piazza Grande is sloping and lined by the porticoes of the Palazzo delle Logge Vasariane.  A well-known antiques fair is held on the Piazza and its surrounding streets on the first Sunday of every month.  The Chiesa di San Francisco is a 14th century church.  It houses a great work of Italian art, Pietro della Francesco’s fresco cycle of the Legend of the True Cross. 

This great work depicts the story of Christ’s death. The Pieve di Santa Maria is a 12th century church which contains a 14th century bell tower, an arcaded façade and carved reliefs representing the months. These landmarks as well as several smaller museums and some fine restaurants make a visit to Arezzo well worth the trip.

San Gimignano
Not far from Siena, San Gimignano is probably the most famous small town in Italy and home to the magnificent towers shown in the film "Tea with Mussolini".  The town was founded by the Etruscans and its economy was fueled by agriculture. The population was devastated by the plague during the fourteenth century and the town continued to be in decline throughout the seventeenth century.  It was only in this past century that San Gimignano has regained its wealth.  This can be attributed to the boom of tourism.

San Gimignano was once home to seventy two towers of varying heights. 
The height of each tower represented a family’s wealth.  Fifteen of the original seventy-two towers can still be found in San Gimignano.  The towers and the beautiful Tuscan scenery make this romantic city as place you will not want to miss.

Assisi
Assisi is the hometown of St. Francis.  The city attracts millions of tourists and pilgrims each year.  The center of the city is the Piazza del Comune.  A main attraction of Assisi is the Basilica de San Francesco, which is comprised of two churches, one built on top of the other.  The upper church contains 28 frescoes depicting the life of St. Francis.  The walls of the lower church are also covered by frescoes.  A small chapel in the church contains mementos of St. Francis’ life.  A crypt in the lower church contains the tomb of St. Francis.

Other things to see in Assisi are the Rocca Maggiore, a fortess which offers fabulous views of the city and the Basilica di Santa Chiara, which houses the body of Santa Chiara in its crypt.

If you plan to visit Assisi some important dates to remember are the 3rd and 4th of October on which the Festa di San Francesco fall and the end of the first week of May when the Festa di Calendimaggio celebrates spring’s arrival in medieval fashion.

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