10 GOOD REASONS TO VISIT SOUTHERN TUSCANY (continued)

6. Cortona is one of the oldest towns in Tuscany, and one of the highest, with beautiful views from its ramparts; on a clear day, you can see all the way to Lake Trasimeno! Visit late in the day and join la passeggiata, the leisurely evening stroll along the little streets surrounding its lively piazza. Follow the multicolored mosaic stations of the cross along the Via Crucis, and stop to visit the Etruscan tombs outside of nearby Camucia.

7. Monte Amiata is an area of great natural beauty. Its slopes, covered with lovely chestnut and beech forests, are especially beautiful in the fall. The area is famous for its porcini mushrooms, and much of the area is a nature reserve, accessible only on foot.

8. The ruined Cistercian Abbey of San Galgano is one of Tuscany's most unusual and least visited attractions. Set in a dense woodland, all that remains of the abbey are its Gothic columns and arches, with sky for a roof and a green lawn for a floor. Stop in the chapel on the hill above the abbey to see Itay's "sword in the stone." The view is glorious!

9. The fastest route to Tuscany's southern coast is the S1 highway, but if you're not in a hurry, the SP323 is one of Tuscany's most panoramic roads. Bathe for free in the hot suphurous waters of Cascate del Gorello, outside of Saturnia. Visit the lovely port towns of Monte Argentario — Porto Ecole and Porto San Stefano. Bird watchers will want to visit the tidal lagoons of Orbetello.

10. The Etruscans migrated to this area from Asia around 900 BC. Their elaborate burial sites and artifacts discovered in their tombs give an insight into the ancient past. Take an Etruscan tour to see the rock-cut tombs in Saturnia, Sovana and Pitigliano. Or visit the Museo Etrusco in Murlo, a perfectly preserved medieval village just north of Buonconvento