Just a short 20-minute drive south of Diecimo is the town of Lucca. Its medieval walls have been preserved intact, and you can walk, jog, or bike along its thick fortification wall. Inside the walls are many small shops and boutiques, as well as beautiful, historic churches. The annual Summer Festival concert series attracts well-known musical acts from the United States and Europe and is held in June and July in the ancient Roman amphitheatre plaza (right).

Of course, everyone knows about the Leaning Tower of Pisa (right). But most people don't realize that it's actually the bell tower for the neighboring cathedral and baptistry, also spectacular sights to behold in this city about 50 minutes south of Diecimo. There are also many museums, historic ruins, and the magnificent 17th-century villa Palazzo Pfanner.

Florence (or Firenze, as the Italians call it) is the center of Renaissance Italy. Visit the imposing Duomo (right), the cathedral of Florence. Spend a day at the world-famous Uffizi art gallery. Browse the fine shops along the Ponte Vecchio. See some of the most famous Renaissance painting and sculptures, including Michaelangelo's David. There is so much to do in Florence - you could easily spend a week there and not see it all. It's only a one-hour drive by the autostrada from Franco's Friendly Villa.

Want to go deeper into Tuscany? About 2 hours southeast of Diecimo is the medieval city of Siena, which boasts a beautiful, unique multi-toned marble cathedral, and a grand plaza. Each year, in early July and again in mid-August, the city holds Il Palio (right), a great horse race in the plaza, with each horse sponsored by a district of the city. Be on the lookout throughout the summer for flags and parades as the locals get ready for the big race!