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Siena
Explore Siena's rich history and art with our audio guide. Get the inside scoop on the must-see frescoes at the Palazzo Pubblico and why they're such a big deal for understanding Siena's past. Don't miss the Duomo's incredible floor—it's a real show-stopper, and even history buffs say it's one of a kind. Find out how this cool city managed to hold its own against Florence and why it's been an important spot way before the Renaissance. With our guide, you'll get to know the real Siena, from its ancient roots to its medieval rivalries.
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Pisa
Beyond its iconic Leaning Tower, Pisa is a treasure trove of history and culture. Discover its ancient origins, maritime prowess, and scholarly achievements—after all, Galileo was once a student here. As you marvel at the tower's architectural quirks, also explore the captivating Duomo and the serene Field of Miracles. Our guide unveils the layers of this fascinating city, proving that Pisa is more than just its famous tilt.
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Lucca
Discover Lucca, a Tuscan treasure where history and miracles come alive around every corner. From its Roman roots to tales of saintly wonders, Lucca captivates and enchants. This is the city where opera and sacred legends blend, where ancient facades hold untold secrets and medieval towers reach for the heavens. Prepare to be captivated by mysteries like the real-life "sleeping beauty" and the Holy Face of Lucca, sacred relics that have stood the test of time. Be ready for an experience that will spark your imagination and leave you yearning to uncover all of Lucca’s mystical stories through our enriching guide. Don't just visit Lucca—live its magic.
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Montepulciano
Montepulciano is one of Tuscany’s loveliest hill towns, and though it’s best known for its wonderful Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wine, you’ll find that there’s lots more to discover and love about the town. Learn the story of its legendary ancient founding by a fearsome Etruscan king, and hear the life stories of two of its most famous residents: Saint Agnes, rumored to have had the ability to levitate, and Poliziano, a poet and translator who spurred on the Renaissance.
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Cortona
Find out why locals call this quiet hillside town “the mother of Troy and the grandmother of Rome.” Although the story is mostly based in myth and legend, it’s a captivating tale, and it gestures to the town’s real ancient Etruscan origins. You’ll find evidence of those origins all over town, and, decorated with mythological figures, they’re just as fantastic as fiction. You’ll also learn about the site where an epic battle took place between the Roman army and the army of the famous Carthaginian general Hannibal. And don’t forget about the beautiful Renaissance art—Cortona gave birth not only to Troy but the pioneering painter Luca Signorelli.
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San Gimignano
Although San Gimignano is a small town tucked into the Tuscan countryside, it’s often earned comparisons to New York City. Why? Well, its many medieval towers can indeed be considered skyscrapers by the standards of that time. These tall, sand-colored buildings stretch up towards the sky, and they often surprise visitors who wouldn’t expect such a skyline here of all places! Listen, and find out why they were built in the first place, as well as what you can expect to see inside. You’ll also learn about the town’s delicious “red gold”—and how it made the towers possible in the first place!
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Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta - Duomo di San Gimignano
Fina dei Ciardi, a young girl living in the 13th century, has been venerated as a saint in the Tuscan town of San Gimignano for hundreds of years. Although she has not been officially canonized by the Church yet, hearing her story, you’ll understand why she means so much to the people of San Gimignano and serves as a symbol of strength, piety, and perseverance. Despite her struggles with illness and poverty, she managed to hold onto her faith, and her incredible miracles testify to her belief. Listen as you visit the Chapel of Santa Fina in the Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta and marvel at Ghirlandaio’s amazing tribute to her.
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Radda in Chianti
The Chianti region of Tuscany is famous the world over for its wonderful wine, and when you have a glass, you’ll know why. Learn about its amazing history, which goes all the way back to the ancient Etruscans, and see how it flourished in the Renaissance and modern eras, becoming popular even among royals and celebrities. Find out the distinctions between different varieties of Chianti wine, and understand why this delicious drink, infused with the spirit of Tuscany, can definitely be counted as a blessing from Bacchus.
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Castellina In Chianti
The Chianti region of Tuscany is rightfully famous for its wines, and those who have enjoyed it are probably familiar with the image of the black rooster on the bottle. But do you know the fascinating story behind why the rooster is there? It’s a thrilling tale of two cities—Siena and Florence—and the fierce rivalry that gripped them in the medieval era. Though the rivalry is gone, the excitement and humor of the story is just as fresh as ever—listen for a concise retelling of it.
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San Quirico d'Orcia
You might recognize the Val d’Orcia’s beautiful landscape from films like The Gladiator or The English Patient, but don’t let the rolling hills keep you from catching a glimpse of the region’s wonderful small towns. One of those is San Quirico d’Orcia, which has served as a witness to Tuscan history since ancient times. Discover how this quaint, peaceful place was once the site of a momentous meeting between the Pope and the future Holy Roman Emperor, and learn more about the child saint after whom the town was named. You’ll see that real-life events can sometimes be far more dramatic than the movies.
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Volterra
Fans of the popular Twilight series will probably be familiar with Volterra as the home of a clan of ancient vampires. However, learning about the early history of this fascinating Tuscan town, you’ll find that fact is sometimes stranger than fiction! Learn why townspeople snack on the “bones of the dead” and why Volterra is believed by some to have been the birthplace of the first true witch. And, leaving legend aside, you’ll see that there’s so much to explore just in Volterra’s ancient Etruscan and Roman past, from a newly-uncovered “Disneyland of archeology” to mysterious, mythological sculptures.
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Pinacoteca e Museo Civico
Journey to Volterra's Civic Museum and stand in awe before two of the Renaissance's lesser-sung masterpieces. Gaze upon Rosso Fiorentino's emotive "Deposition from the Cross," where vivid colors and dramatic flair introduce you to the pioneering style of Mannerism. A few steps away, be captivated by Luca Signorelli's "Annunciation." Michelangelo's lauded favorite, Signorelli brilliantly weaves symbolism into this traditional Biblical tale. While capturing the announcement to the Virgin Mary, he showcases innovative techniques that highlight why he remains a revered figure. Dive into these tales with us and find new favorites amongst art's timeless marvels.
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Church of San Francesco Arezzo
Piero della Francesca was an artistic genius of the Renaissance, and one of the first ones, in fact. Though he was sadly neglected for hundreds of years, he’s now restored to his true renown, and nothing will convince you more of his mastery than visiting Arezzo’s Basilica of San Francesco. There, the Capella Maggiore is decorated floor-to-ceiling with Piero’s stunning frescoes. They depict the Legend of the True Cross, telling you about the wood of Christ’s crucifix, starting with its origins as a tree in the Garden of Eden. Listen to this story for an overview of the frescoes’ background and importance.
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Certaldo
Certaldo is a beautiful town, and certainly one of Tuscany’s most fascinating. Discover its ancient Etruscan origins, which gave rise to spooky legends involving witches, and learn more about its most famous resident, Giovanni Boccaccio, who wrote The Decameron, an enthralling collection of stories that hasn’t stopped capturing the attention of readers since it first came out in the 14th century. Listen to the Palazzo Pretorio’s colorful history of prisoners, and find out where you can spot the wonderful sculpture of the della Robbia family, which is sprinkled all over town. You’ll see that Certaldo has endless delights to offer its visitors.
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Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore
This venerable old abbey rises up from a startling, awe-inspiring landscape of mountains, pale clay, and dark green cypress trees. Although its location may seem remote, the abbey makes for a wonderful daytime excursion, combining the serenity of nature with the beauty of its art and architecture. Find out how it was founded by a member of one of Siena’s most prominent noble families, and learn about the eccentric artist who included a self-portrait of himself in one of its wonderful fresco cycles. Of course, he couldn’t forget to include his pet badgers and birds, too!
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Monteriggioni
The small Tuscan town of Monteriggioni is best known for being the hometown of the noble Auditore family in the video game Assassin’s Creed. However, the town actually entered the popular imagination hundreds of years earlier, being mentioned by the poet Dante in his great epic the Divine Comedy, when he compares it to a ring of “terrifying giants” in the deepest circle of Hell. As it turns out, those “giants” are actually the town’s medieval towers! And today, the town’s charming streets, cozy piazzas, and lovely little museums make it much more apt to be compared not to Hell but to that other, happier place.
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Pistoia
Pistoia is one of my favorite small cities—its peacefulness, loveliness, and charm just can’t be resisted. But did you know that in the medieval era, it was one of Italy’s most violent and bloody sights? In fact, even the great artist Michelangelo once said that Pistoia was home to the “enemies of heaven”! Learn about the crazy family infighting that lent truth to Michelangelo’s statement, and see how it even spread to Florence. There, it fanned the flames of major conflict and also inspired famous writers like Dante and Niccolò Machiavelli. But fear not, for Pistoia today is so different that even elves live in its countryside!
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Pitigliano
Pitigliano is one of the best places to learn about the Etruscans, the ancient people who settled in central Italy before the Romans. They had a truly fascinating civilization, and you’ll see why they really should be more well-known when you check out Pitigliano’s Archeological Museum. Complete with a City of the Dead and a City of the Living, its reconstructions of Etruscan homes give you a delightful look into what their daily lives would have been like. And if you’re in the mood for a good story, there’s always the charming myth of Pitigliano's founding…
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Terme di Saturnia - Parco Termale
Saturnia is a peaceful spa town that offers rest, relaxation, and repose for travelers weary after long hours of looking at Tuscany’s amazing art and architecture. This captivating town has two main waterfalls, and both offer the seemingly magic healing power of their waters to all those who come to swim and destress—for free! Find out how to make the best of these natural comforts, and learn all about this spot’s ancient history. As it happens, there’s a mythical legend about how the warm, mineral-rich springs came to be, and you might even believe it yourself after experiencing Saturnia’s wonders.
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Vie Cave Etrusche
Cut deep into the tufa rock—a distinguishing feature of Tuscany’s beautiful Maremma region—the Vie Cave are a network of ancient roads made by the fascinating Etruscan civilization. Walking along these roads is an experience like no other: they carry you into a shadowy world of mystery and wonder. Learn how they were used by the Etruscans and Ancient Romans, find out the places they wander to and converge at, and discover the various sights that will delight you along the way. You’ll learn that just when you think you’ve seen all, Tuscany always has yet another marvel up its sleeve.
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Sovana
Sovana, with its storied past, is definitely a hidden gem of Tuscany’s ancient Maremma region, but did you know that this charming little village contains a hidden treasure of its own? Those familiar with Alexandre Dumas’s famous novel The Count of Monte Cristo will no doubt have heard of the legendary treasure of Monte Cristo. Now, you may think the treasure just a fiction, but a recent discovery in Sovana’s Church of San Mamiliano suggests there may be more truth to the story after all…. Listen to hear more about the thrilling discovery, as well as more on Sovana’s fascinating Etruscan past and all its other amazing treasures.
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Tuscany
We're always on the move, exploring and uncovering the myriad tales that Tuscany's enchanting towns and villages have to offer. Our passion is to continually bring you fresh, captivating stories from this timeless region. Stay tuned – the best is yet to come!
