Following the rise and fall of Machiavelli

If you go

Fly into one of the international airports in Florence. Pisa International Airport Galileo Galilei and Florence Airport Amerigo Vespucci are the two international airports in the region. If you are flying from Beijing/Shanghai, there are no direct flight available. Alternatively, air travelers can fly into Milan or Rome and get transportation from there to Florence, about a three-hour drive by car from either direction.

Use the train to travel through Tuscany. The main train stations are located in Florence city. Those neiboring towns can be reached easily by train. Train tickets can be bought in any train station, or a rail pass can be purchased in advance from Rail Europe if you are traveling from China. A rail pass will give you unlimited train travel for a set period of time. Some train stations also have a connecting bus service that can take you into some of the more rural areas. It is advisable to learn a little Italian for the more rural areas, as you are less likely to encounter English speakers.

Rent a car to leisurely explore Tuscany. While there are major towns in the region, the majority of the area is made up of small towns and villages that are best traveled to by car. Major car rental companies, such as Hertz and Avis, are available from the airports in Tuscany. The Auto Europe website is a good place to look for discount car rentals in Tuscany. Keep in mind that manual transmission cars are the norm in Europe; when you book your rental car, be sure to check for an automatic option if you need it.