The Etruscan village next-door

Fiesole is a Tuscan hilltown just a city bus ride from downtown

You can experience a bit of the Tuscan village good life with just a ride on Florence's no. 7 bus. Older than Florence and overlooking it from on high, the Etruscan village of Fiesole has a few sights, cafés on the main square, and best of all, a cool mountain breeze even on the hottest August days.

Pop into the 11th-century Cathedral, which contains some delicate Mino da Fiesole carvings, and make your way up (and I do mean up) Via San Francesco to the panoramic gardens overlooking a postcard view of Florence down in the valley.

Fiesole's tourist office is at Via Portigiani 3–5 (tel. +39-055-597-8373, www.comune.fiesole.fi.it)

Perhaps the biggest sight in Fiesole is the ruins of the Roman theater and baths (tel. +39-055-59-477), an excavated complex that has a 4th century BC temple, that 1st century BC theater (which hosts summertime concerts under the stars), and a few arches remaining from some AD 1st century baths.