Today's guest blog is courtesy of our friends at Italy Perfect vacation rentals in Florence, Italy. 

Here are a few destinations worth a trip from Florence:

Bologna

Bologna is a charming city, a popular destination for Italians. The center of Bologna features beautiful Renaissance architecture and endless streets lined with colonnades for pedestrians so it is easy to stay dry while you see the city. It is a one hour train trip from Florence to Bologna. When you take lunch, consider ordering a pasta dish “al Bolognese” (bologna style) with meat sauce.

Sites in Bologna:

• Basilica San Petronio is one of the largest churches in Italy and it dominates Bologna's Piazza Maggiore. Featuring some stunning paintings, sculptures and architecture, this church is a must-see for any day trip.
• Bologna is famous for its Due Torri, two medieval defensive towers that dominate the cityscape. You can climb to the top -- if you dare -- to take on the 500 steep steps.
• The Pinacotecoa of Bologna is a large museum with works by Renaissance masters such as Guercino, Caracci, Rosso Fiorentino and many others. It is always a pleasure to be able to calmly drink in the magic of the Renaissance here. There is usually no line and you won’t be fighting the crowds like at the Uffizi in Florence with its large guided tours.

San Gimignano

San Gimignano is a classic medieval walled town with all the magic and wonder of small, winding streets, authentic Tuscan food, great views and so much history. The skyline of San Gimignano, from a distance, appears to be a city with skyscrapers but as you approach you find that it is a medieval walled town with a dozen of remaining defensive towers. The town once bristled with 72 towers. It must have been a tough place to live because the towers were for the residents to defend against each other. Catch the bus from the SITA bus depot next to the train station in Florence for about a two hour trip. While you're there check out the Etruscan museum, the picturesque views of Tuscany, climb the bell tower, enjoy Tuscan cuisine and pick up a piece of authentic hand-painted earthenware pottery.

Things to see: Piazza della Cisterna, Bell Towers, Church of St. Agostino, and Museo Etrusco

Cinque Terre

The Five Lands.  The Cinque Terre are five small hillside towns connected by a trains, ferry and walking path. If you love the outdoors, then this is a primo location for hikers and beachgoers. Exploring the little towns is like wandering through a fairytale of woods, iconic villages, ports and beaches. You can reach Cinque Terre by taking the regional train from Santa Maria Novella station in Florence to Pisa and then on to any of the five, towns. From there you can hike or take the train or a ferry between the towns. There are little bars in each of the towns that will serve you a glass of local wine with a bowl of some local olives. For an authentic Cinque Terre flavor try a plate of formaggio e miele, cheese and honey and then pasta with the famous regional pesto sauce. The area is known for its pecorino cheese, honey (miele di Corniglia), pesto, anchovies and, of course, wine.

For more information