Castellina in Chianti is situated on a ridge along the Chiantigiana highway between Florence and Siena, at the turn-off for Poggibonsi. Castellina has an attractive old town centre marred by a grotesque formation of industrial silos and an abandoned warehouse

Monteriggioni is one of the most famous and attractive castles in all Tuscany. Its curtain wall and fourteen towers are virtually intact, and the interior is now occupied by a small and peaceful village.

Chianciano Terme is a municipality famous for its hot springs, situated in the Province of Sienna, Tuscany, about 90 km southeast of Florence and about 50 km southeast of Sienna, between the Valdichiana and the Val d’Orcia.

Rapolano Terme is situated in one of the most fascinating parts of the Siennese countryside – the Crete Senesi. This spa was known to the Romans, as can be seen at the archaeological site of Campo Muri, and was still in use in the Middle Ages. Today, Rapolano Terme offers modern bathing and spa facilities based around its numerous hot springs.

Sienna (Siena in Italian) is second only to Florence as a Tuscan “art” town, and, for many, its much smaller size and the absence of traffic in the historical centre make it more than the equal of Florence as a place to enjoy the treasures of Romanesque and Renaissance Italy, as well as the modern Italian lifestyle.

Montepulciano is famous for not just one but two excellent wines, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Rosso di Montepulciano. However, it is often underestimated in terms of the interest of its art and architecture.

San Gimignano is famous for its Tuscan tower houses. These were a common sight in Tuscan towns during the late middle ages but most city rulers ordered them to be torn down as a measure to reduce intramural discord.

Bagno Vignoni (sometimes Bagni Vignoni) is famous for its thermal baths. It was popular with the Romans (and probably the Etruscans) and rose to prominence again during the middle ages because of the proximity of the Via Francigena, the north-south pilgrimage route through the Italian peninsula.

The environs of town of Poggibonsi are well worth a visit by anyone travelling from Florence to Sienna via Colle di Val d’Elsa and Monteriggioni. The modern business centre of Poggibonsi is not especially picturesque but there are numerous interesting and important historical sights in the neighbourhood.

Radicondoli is a tranquil Tuscan hill town that lies well off the beaten tourist track in the northern part of the “Metalliferous Hills” on the borders of the Alta Maremma, between the Val d’Elsa and the Val de Cecina.

Volpaia is a well-restored mediaeval village located in central Chianti. Part of the walls and two of the original six towers of Volpaia are preserved, the largest of the two housing the Castello di Volpaia wine shop and osteria. Volpaia was the hometown of a famous Florentine family of clock- and instrument-makers and is now an attractive tourist destination with three restaurants, a small grocery and some vacation rental apartments.

Colle di Val d’Elsa is located in the province of Sienna on a high hill overlooking the valley of the river Elsa, in central Tuscany. The town was probably founded during the Dark Age, sometime before the 10 C when it was first documented. During its early history,

Here’s an interactive map of Tuscany with links to the best websites for many of the most interesting cities, towns, villages and sights of Tuscany.