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Italy is breathtaking, but a Tuscany tours would put the icing on the cake. Some people think Tuscany is a city, but it is merely a region basically located around the well-known city of Florence. It can brag proudly because it has got the best architecture, art and wine production in all Italy. It is here where the Renaissance was born 600 years ago and from here it extended throughout Europe. It occupies 22,990 m2 and takes in over 3,5 million inhabitants. But it is better to learn how to get around and plan a magnificent Tuscany tours than to read about these facts.
 On my first vacation trip to Italy, I went directly to the heart of Tuscany, to Florence, and from there my pleasureable holiday began. I landed at the Galileo Galilei Airport located an hour away from the centre of the city, near Pisa and took advantage of the train which cost 5.25 euros, taking me directly to the Santa Maria Station in the middle of the city. At the train station I went to the tourist information booth because my budget at that time was only capable of getting me into a comfortable bed and breakfast. I stayed at the Ostello Villa Camerata on the Viale Augusto Righi, 2-4 about 30 minutes to the northeast by bus number 17, a double room for 38 euros in a spacious villa. I was anxious to get on the road and tour tuscany so holiday villas at this point were not top priority on my list.
The Italian Pearls of Tuscany
 Being as I had limited time and much to do, I chose what I thought and had been told the most outstanding places to visit like the Cathedral, the Gallery of the Uffizi, Vecchio Palace, a night stroll on the Vecchio Bridge and the Piazzale Michelangelo. So, I took bus no. 17 back to the train station and near the Piazza della Stazione you can find the bus stop for the city buses ATAF. I took no. 70 for 1 euro which left me at the Cathedral. There are small funny looking buses called bussini for the same price which also go around the city. The Cathedral ( 13th c.) is absolutely spectacular with its green, white and red marble, its grandiose dimensions measuring 90 metre wide and 155 m. long, and its neogothic fascade. No wonder it took over 150 years to complete it. I went down into the crypt which cost 3 well spent euros and was impressed by the elegant tomb of Brunelleschi and excavations which showed the Basilica of Santa Reparata from the 5th c. The bell tower which is reached after paying 6 euros and climbing 415 steps, is filled with magnificent sculptures and paintings; one way or another its breathtaking! The Roman style baptismal fount from the 11th c. is the oldest building in Florence and well known for its octagonal shape, its bronze gates, scenes made from Venetian tiles on the dome and for having hosted the baptism of Dante. And right next door in the Piazza del Duomo, the Museum dell’Opera del Duomo where the most treasured sculptures of the city are held, including the Pieta of Michelangelo.
Get around with Vacation Rentals
With my vacation rentals car that I managed to squeeze into my budget, I made a quick visit to Naples. I had seen enough man-made beauty and now wanted to feast my eyes on a natural terrestrial beauty –Mount Vesubio. This still active volcano almost destroyed the cities of Pompeya and Herculano, both of which can be visited. And to celebrate these fantastic Italian holidays, I just had to have an authentic thick Napoletan pizza. But I am sure in the near future that I will go back to the Tuscany area and continue on with other fantastic Tuscany tours.
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