If you´re going to be in Montecatini Terme for a few days, but want to see more of Italy, there are plenty of day trips that you can make. Here are some of the closest and some of the most interesting cities you can visit within easy distance of Montecatini Terme.

Pistoia - 17 km

In just a twenty minute drive you can reach the town of Pistoia. You can also take a fairly quick train ride, but the bus does take quite a bit longer. Once there you can stop at the cathedral to see the stone altar that dates back six centuries. The Madonna dell´Umilta is topped with a dome that is very similar to the Florence cathedral dome. The town hall is also impressive and contains a museum as well. The terracotta reliefs at the old Ceppo Hospital are worth seeing, as is the view from the bell tower.

Lucca - 33.3 km

Just under thirty minutes away is Lucca, with its impressive medieval walls. They´re arguably the best preserved city walls in Italy, and you can walk the entire way around the city from the top of the walls. San Michele Church is built upon an old Roman Forum, and San Martino Cathedral is an impressive structure. The Baptistry contains many archaeological artifacts, and the Piazza dellÁnfiteatro still contains ruins of the Roman amphitheater around which it was built. Opera enthusiasts will also want to visit the Puccini House Museum. Like Pistoia, the train runs to Lucca, but the bus takes a bit longer.

Florence - 51.2 km

One of the most impressive day trips you can take is the 50 minute drive to Florence. The bus and the train also run regularly, so don´t despair if you haven´t got a car. Once there you can take in the sight of the Cathedral and its dome, the first built since ancient Roman times. The Academy contains Michaelangelo´s David, a big draw to the city. The Baptistry´s mosaic ceiling is definitely worth seeing, as is the Santa Croce Church containing the tombs of the great Italian masters. You can also tour the Medici´s two palaces located in Florence.

Pisa - 54.7 km

To get to Pisa requires several transfers via bus or train, but is only an hour and ten minute drive away. There you can see the famous Leaning Tower started in 1173. The Duomo is even older and is interesting in its shape of a Latin cross. If you make it into the Baptistry you can stand on the pulpit or near any of the walls and sing a few notes to hear the incredible echo effect. The medieval walls surrounding the city aren´t nearly as impressive as those in Lucca, but they´re still worth seeing. You can also check out the cemetery which has tombs dating back to ancient Rome.

Bologna - 132 km

The drive is just under an hour and a half, and the bus and train both run regularly from Montecatini Terme. Here you can see the huge, unfinished Basilica di San Petronino and its meridian line floor mark. There are two towers left in the city that have a lean similar to that of Pisa´s famous tower, and you can ascend these for a great view. The Museo Civico Medioevale houses stone and artwork from the middle ages, and the Archaeology Museum is very interesting. The Pinacoteca Nazionale houses some of Raphael´s best works.