Our region offers numerous places of interest; Florence, Siena, Lucca, Pisa as well as charming medieval villages like:

S.Vivaldo cloister

Dozen of little churches called “Italian Gerusalem” which represent a reproduction of Gerusalem during Cristo’s life. 5km Half day.

Certaldo

It is a medieval village where the world famous writer Boccaccio was born. You must visit the church of S.Michele & Jacopo and the “Palazzo Pretorio” (in summer there are special events like classical music concerts). In July you can’t miss “Mercantia”, a theatre festival.
- Mercantia Certaldo

San Gimignano

San Gimignano is “the village of the towers”; it had once 72 towers!! Nowadays there are approx. 20 towers still visible coming from the surroundings. Driving toward San Gimignano you will see these towers arising from the countryside. You must visit: the historical center, the “Collegiata” or Duomo, Palazzo del Popolo, Piazza del Duomo (approx. 18 km far from Santa Maria Holidays Home). You can visit San Gimignano in half a day.

Castelfiorentino

S.Verdiana’s Church with gallery displaying works of Duccio, Gaddi, Granacci (10 km half a day).

Vinci

Leonardo, the most famous Tuscan artist in the world, was born here. You must see the Museo Leonardiano, (Castello dei Guidi) and the house of the maestro (35 km, half a day).

Volterra

Marvellous Etruscan village, Volterra is located on the Valdelsa hills. You must visit: the historical center where buying delightful alabaster objects, the Baptistere, the Dome, Priori’s Palace and the Minacci-Solaini Palace (30 km, half a day).

San Miniato

Gorgeous village close to Pisa. You must visit: “la Rocca” (medieval tower), piazza del popolo and the Dome. (12 km, half a day).

Gambassi Terme

Small medieval town where there is a Spa Centre “Villa Pillo” famous for its thermal-water. The village is famous also for centenary tradition of glass production. (9 km, half a day).

Montelupo Fiorentino

Capital of ceramics and Terracotta. (25 km, half a day).

Cerreto Guidi

It’s worth visiting the magnificent reinassance Villa of Cosimo dei Medici where Isabella died. (25 km half day).

Montespertoli

The city of wine. In July there is a great wine party. You must visit the Church of S.Andrea, Poppiano castle, Montegufoni Castle, the “Pieve di S.Pietro in Mercato”, and the Botinaccio’s castle. ( 25 km, 1 day).

Other suggestions

Pinocchio’s Park in Pescia, S.Galgano ‘s churchm Montalcino, Pienza, Cortona, Lucca, Torre del Lago, di Forte dei Marmi ‘s fashion market, Carrara ‘s mable quarry, Colonnata, Castiglioncello, Bolgheri, Castagneto Carducci, Palaia, Peccioli, Casole d’Elsa, Arezzo, Spa of Petriolo, Bagno Vignoni and more and more.