Hello!

We are staying for a weekend in Florence and we would also like to experience the beautiful Tuscan countryside. We only have time for a short day trip, so we are wondering if there are any small villages or vineyards, where we can get the whole experience (good food, wine and beautiful nature), close to Florence you can recommend?

Thanks!

Not exactly what you are asking for but if you go up to the Borboli Gardens there is a lovely view of Tuscan countryside...pencil pines, a few nice houses,greenery. The gardens themselves vary from season to season. Spring lovely, Sept/Oct not many flowers.

Personally, I'd go for something all together a little bit grander. The Boboli gardens are lovely but you won't get to see some of the diversity of this beautiful region and frankly, a walled hamlet is a must!

So, I'd look at taking a day trip to either San Gimignao or Monteriggioni, there are lots of tours that you can pickup from the centre of town where everything is covered. Just Google it

Here's a page with photos of what you can expect...
http://www.tuscany-villas.co.uk/san-...eriggioni.html

goitaly.about.com/od/sangimignano/p/sangimignano.htm

UNESCO heritage site for most beautiful countryside views

close to where you will be...

Headed there in less than 2 weeks I can't wait!

The perfect way to see beautiful countryside CLOSE to Florence is to visit the gardens of the Villa Gamberaia. You can take a bus, 10 or 67 I believe, to the small village of Settignno, then walk along a country lane to the villa. There is a nice winebar in the village for lunch with tables outside. The scenery is just what you are looking for, olive groves and cypresses.

That's Settignano.

The Bardini Gardens, far lovelier and less crowded than Boboli, offer a lovely, gently winding stroll from just outside the Porta Romana, along Viale N. Macchiavelli. Turning on Via San Leonardo for a beautiful downhill walk, you reach the Bardini and afterwards continue downhill to the river. Wonderful views and frequent changes of scenery are a dream in fine weather. The Bardini has a small terrace cafe with a fine panoramic view of the city.

Thank you so much for all your suggestions! Now we just have to google a bit and decide where we are gonna go

Fiesole is a lovely town overlooking Florence. It is about 25-30 minutes by bus, which you can get at San Marco near the Accademia. The town is charming and has restaurants with terraces overlooking Florence which are great for lunch or an evening drink. With only a weekend in Florence, you don't want to venture too far afield and Fiesole is near and has beautiful views of the Tuscan countryside.