For those who do the quick jaunt of Venice to Florence to Rome, Italy is a whirlwind of museums, ruins, wine and food. For slow travelers, the experience of exploring the regions surrounding Italy’s big cities can be full of pleasant surprises. In the case of Florence, its surrounding Tuscan region is so lush and beautiful that some tourists come to prefer it to the capital city. Amid those rolling hills and charming farmlands are some hidden jewels that only a patient wanderer will discover.

Tuscany’s primary cities are Florence, Pisa and Siena, all strong draws for art lovers. South and west of Siena are many hills towns, including San Gimignano, or the city of towers. This is the Italian landscape made famous in films and paintings. From Siena to Florence is Chianti country, home to wineries and farmhouses. Toward the coast is the small medieval city of Lucca, the gateway to the Versilian Riviera, with the chic Viareggio beach resort. The southern Tuscan coast holds cattle farms and eventually leads to the ancient village of Orbetello. Eastern Tuscany boasts the Etruscan and Roman center of Arezzo and the Museo dell-Accademia Etrusca.

Among the most enticing aspects of traveling Tuscany has to be visiting the vineyards. Travelers can follow sandy roads and trails as they snake through hillsides, occasionally winding through olive groves to a moss-covered castle. From the center of town in Florence, it’s a manageable walk past the traffic-congested streets to the open roads lined with dark green cypress trees. But to truly access Chianti country, invest in a tour with a local expert who can take you to out-of-the-way small wineries and share insider information.

Rather than sign up for an all-inclusive tour, choose smaller, specialized tours for parts of your itinerary. There are abundant tours of Italian wineries, but there are also bicycle and walking tours of the Tuscan countryside. Cooking classes often include market visits and tours in their itineraries. Foodie tours may encompass stops at local farms, chocolate factories or gourmet restaurants. Florence’s big museums offer self-guided tours as well as narrated tours. Many historic sites will have guides you can hire, or you can attach yourself to a group and eavesdrop.

In an attempt to cover more territory, you may be tempted to drive. Be assured that the Tuscan region is thoroughly accessible by train or bus, barring the occasional transportation strike. Trenitalia is the country’s train system, serving Florence, Siena, Pisa and Arezzo. If you are determined to drive, remember that speed limits are higher here, as are traffic fines, which must be paid on the spot to the police officer.

Read Next 5 Articles
About Milan, Italy
About Venice, Italy
travel tips for Ireland
Napa Valley Wine Tours
Best Napa Wine Tastings