European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 14, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Us Cany the Hills and highlights jfcr5> i Quot a ,. To j a a a pm of pm a a ism amp or for a a 6/,k,w, a ejpti3 it awl a.,  1 a re  v w win eve x v i3lv x v. V v it a a. Ltd it Quot. To a its f to 4f. A a or a it to Quot y x a War amp it it 5vv a Usa a a it a. I a write St str i.  a it. A a a. It it  a a a a a  a. A a f s it Ai it i. It n a a to l a 4 7&Quot Ufa 1  pos. K.�?T.,it is -. S. A Sot t1 it it 4 t a. V  sgt in is 7 of 77io Foit  in a Oysman Mignano Rise from the tuscan Hills. Above the Piazza Del Campo a the main Square of Siena considered by some to be the most unforgettable Square in Tuscany at right the Torre Del Mangia and Siena s City Hall As seen from the main Square. 12 stripes Magazine March 14,-.1991 Story and photos by Bill Walker a staff writer. For   there Are Many More iroc Restig places to visit. Among them a ����.�. Arezzo a this provincial capital of Eastern Tuscany is known As the Birthplace of Petrarch Italy s Gro lest Lyric met. The churches of san Francesco and Santa Maria. Ella Pieve Are Worth visiting. A ,. A one of the biggest events each year is Giostra Del amp Ratino a medieval oust staged the first sunday in june 4nd september on the Piazza Grande. J Carrara a this town is famous for the several unfired Marble quarries in its environs. The most noted a nes. Are at Piastre about 25 Miles East of Carrara. Cortona a a Beautiful  set on a Hillside of love the Chiana Valley. A a a.  Island of Elba s most famous resident was Napoleon  in exile there from May 181 4 until february 1815, this tuscan Island nearly 16 Miles Long and 11 Miles wide is about one hour via ferry from the coast daily car Terry service is offered from the port of Piombino. A. ,. A a the main tourist attraction is Villa Napoleone the a emperor s Stimmer residence s Fiesole a. A town overlooking Florence with etruscan and roman architectural treasures. The town c cathedrals ust an romanesque style and behind it Are the tremains of a roman Temple and an e Trusco roman a a Temple. A. A a a. A. A Livorno a. A tyrrhenian sea port and commercial Center which Rose to prominence in the i-6th and 17th Antunes under the influence of the Medici family. A. A a a a a v Lucca a this City North it Pisa is. Noted for its. One Mieyal fortifications and Beautiful churches. Visits to he two squares Piazza Napoleone and Piazza Puccini. Pie highly recommended Mon Pulciano a a tuscan Hillside town known for is medieval Walls and gothic and Renaissance buildings. Pisa a i  of the leaning Tower is the second. I neatest tourist attraction in Tuscany after Florence. The. Iazza Del Cuomo is an unto gettable Square not Only or its Leaming Tower but also the Cathedral the Jan baptistery and Campo Santo a remarkable cemetery a quadrangle. A a. A a Pupu Lonia a the remains in the ancient etruscan. Peti it Pup Luna Are located at popu Lonia about eight j 11 i s North of the modern port of Piombino. At right. Visitors to san Gimignani pause on the Steps of the Cathedral which houses 14-Century frescoes a shopper checks a display of porcelain in Siena. Below the Sun rises Over the Hills of Tuscany. J. To it a �?T5 v a f Juci s fat v a stat v i \ t e a by vat. A. Him. Amp -4 a shopping tips  tie arcaded i6lh-Eenlury new Market Mercato Nuovo Only a Short walk from Piazza Della Signoria showcases Straw goods leather. A items and embroidery. The shops of the Ponte Vecchio a Otter Gold and Silver jewelry at High prices. K Mercato cent role is a spacious meat and vegetable a Market not far from the baptistery. The streets outside. Quot. Mercato centrals Are lined with shop stalls of every Type. The arcades in front of the Ute Fiji museum Are also filled Zyvith souvenir stalls. A. In Siena vendors sell the flags of the City s 1 7. Rival districts. Leather Crystal Alabaster and designer dollies Are featured in upscale shops. A Collerra a Hilltop town a few Miles from san Gimignani has leather and locally crafted Alabaster ornaments. A. A a. A remember to bargain. It s a tradition. Italian shops Are generally open monday through saturday. Many Are closed in the afternoon until 4 or 5, then reopen until around 8 30 . A italian restaurant and hotels have become painfully expensive for american travellers exchanging their Low value dollars. V i a. A an average double hotel room in Tuscany is $60 a night even higher . Salad lasagna and a Glass  House wine in a simple local restaurant Seldom costs less than $15 to $20 per person. Ask your hotel Porter for restaurant suggestions. A /. Bargain bus Tours of Tuscany Are frequently available through travel offices on . Installations throughout k a getting there trom Northern Europe the Best. K routes Over the Alps  the St. Golthardt pass and the Brenner pass beyond Innsbruck Austria the Western a european motor clubs generally recommend the St. Gotthard route , Gotthard Milan. Drivers should allow at least 14 hours from Belgium or the Netherlands and three to four hours less from most a German locations.  hours for bus travel. A weather the weather in Tuscany is mild most of the year. I he average afternoon temperature , during March is in the 50s and i he mid-6 s in april. The May average temperature read lies into the 70s. A Bill Walker March 14, 1991 stripes Magazine 73