Day trips from Borgo Vista Serena: Arezzo, Cortona, Siena and more

Day trips from Borgo Vista Serena: Arezzo, Cortona, Siena and more

From Borgo Vista Serena, you can discover Tuscany in a peaceful and relaxed way. You won't be staying in the middle of the crowds, yet beautiful cities, charming villages, and green nature reserves are all within easy reach.

Borgo Vista Serena as a peaceful base for day trips in Tuscany with pool and views
Discover Tuscany by day, then return to the peace, views, and pool at Borgo Vista Serena.

A stay at Borgo Vista Serena is ideal for guests who want to experience Tuscany but don't want to be in the hustle and bustle every day. From our borgo, you can take beautiful day trips to Arezzo, Cortona, Siena, Florence, and the green Casentino region.

Some places are true day trips, such as Arezzo, Siena, and Florence. Other destinations, like Poppi, are better suited for a half-day on their own. That is why in this blog, we combine Poppi with the Casentino—the forests, monasteries, and quiet routes in the area.

Our tip: choose a good balance during your holiday. Plan a few beautiful excursions, but also consciously keep days free to enjoy the pool, your private terrace, and the silence of Borgo Vista Serena.

1. Arezzo: art, history, and Tuscan atmosphere nearby

Arezzo is one of the best day trips from Borgo Vista Serena. The city is large enough for a full day out, yet feels manageable, atmospheric, and pleasant at the same time.

You can stroll through historic streets, discover beautiful churches, visit museums, drink coffee on a terrace, and enjoy Italian city life. One of the most famous spots is Piazza Grande, a stunning square with characteristic facades and a wonderful Tuscan atmosphere.

Historic center of Arezzo in Tuscany as a day trip from Borgo Vista Serena
Arezzo is a charming city for culture, squares, restaurants, and a relaxed day trip.

Arezzo is perfect for guests who want to combine culture, shops, history, and a good lunch without immediately seeking out the crowds of Florence. You can easily spend an entire day here.

  • Ideal for: culture, history, shops, lunch, and terraces
  • Atmosphere: lively, but not overly touristy
  • Trip type: full day trip

2. Cortona: romantic town with a view

Cortona is a well-known and beloved spot in Tuscany. The town is perched on a hillside and has exactly the atmosphere many people look for: narrow streets, beautiful squares, old buildings, and stunning views over the surrounding landscape.

Cortona is romantic, photogenic, and lively. You will find small shops, restaurants, terraces, and places where you can wander peacefully. Do keep in mind that you will be walking up and down frequently, so good shoes are recommended.

Historic center of Cortona in Tuscany as a day trip from Borgo Vista Serena
Cortona is atmospheric, romantic, and popular with travelers who want to experience classic Tuscany.

Cortona is slightly better known and more touristy than some surrounding villages, but that is also part of its appeal. There is plenty to see and experience without feeling like you are in a large city.

  • Ideal for: romance, photography, views, and restaurants
  • Atmosphere: atmospheric, hilly, and lively
  • Trip type: half to full day, depending on your pace

3. Siena: an impressive day full of history

Siena absolutely belongs in a blog about day trips from Borgo Vista Serena. It is one of Tuscany's most famous cities and a wonderful destination for those who love history, architecture, and atmosphere.

The city is famous for Piazza del Campo, the impressive cathedral, and its medieval streets. Siena feels grand, historic, and special. This isn't a place to just tick off a list; it's a city you should really take your time for.

Siena in Tuscany with Piazza del Campo and historic city as a day trip from Borgo Vista Serena
Siena is one of the most beautiful historic cities in Tuscany and is very suitable for a full day trip.

For guests who want to visit one of the major Tuscan highlights during their holiday, Siena is an excellent choice. And after such a full day, it is wonderful to return to the peace of Borgo Vista Serena.

  • Ideal for: history, culture, squares, churches, and city atmosphere
  • Atmosphere: impressive, medieval, and lively
  • Trip type: full day trip
View over the green hills surrounding Borgo Vista Serena in Serraglio, Tuscany
After a day trip, return to views and silence.
Evening on the terrace at Borgo Vista Serena in Tuscany
A quiet evening on the terrace completes the day.

4. The Casentino: a quiet route through Poppi and nature

Poppi is beautiful, but let's be honest: as a standalone destination, it's more of a half-day than a full day trip. That's why we recommend combining Poppi with the Casentino—the forests, a lunch, a scenic route, and possibly places like La Verna or Camaldoli.

The Casentino feels different from classic Tuscany with its cypresses and rolling hills. Here you will find more forests, valleys, silence, and a green, almost mountainous atmosphere. That is exactly what makes this area so special.

Castello di Poppi in the Casentino as an excursion from Borgo Vista Serena
Poppi and the Casentino are ideal for a quiet route full of nature, villages, and views.

This day is perfect for guests who don't just want to visit cities, but are also looking for the quieter side of Tuscany. Think of forests, small villages, monasteries, viewpoints, and simple restaurants.

Nature and hiking around Borgo Vista Serena in the Casentino
The Casentino is green, peaceful, and perfect for guests who want to experience Tuscany's nature.
  • Ideal for: nature, peace, villages, monasteries, and scenic drives
  • Atmosphere: green, quiet, and authentic
  • Trip type: half day or a full, relaxed route

5. Florence: a world-class city full of art and history

Florence is larger, busier, and more intense than the other destinations in this blog. Yet the city belongs here because, for many guests, Florence is a dream destination during a holiday in Tuscany.

Think of the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, museums, squares, shops, and streets steeped in history. Florence is not a quiet day trip, but it is an impressive city day for those who want to experience the great art capital of Tuscany.

Florence Duomo in Tuscany as a day trip from Borgo Vista Serena
Florence is busier and more intense, but remains an impressive destination for art and history.

We would mainly recommend Florence as a deliberate city day. Leave early, don't overplan, and book popular museums in advance. After such a day, it's extra nice to drive back to the peace of Borgo Vista Serena.

  • Ideal for: art, museums, history, shopping, and a big city atmosphere
  • Atmosphere: impressive, famous, and busy
  • Trip type: full and intensive day trip

Back to the peace of Borgo Vista Serena

The beauty of staying at Borgo Vista Serena is that you don't have to choose between peace and experience. You can discover Tuscany by day and then return to a place where the pace immediately slows down.

After a day in Arezzo, Cortona, Siena, Florence, or the Casentino, your own apartment, private terrace, the pool, and the views over the hills await you. That contrast is exactly what makes a holiday here so pleasant.

Green hills surrounding Borgo Vista Serena in Serraglio near Castel Focognano
After a day full of impressions, it's wonderful to come home to the green hills surrounding Borgo Vista Serena.

Day trip or a quiet day at the borgo?

Not every holiday day needs to be fully planned. Sometimes it's just wonderful to have a day where you don't have to do anything at all. A book, a cup of coffee, a walk in the area, or an afternoon by the pool can be just as valuable.

That's why Borgo Vista Serena is a great fit for travelers who want to discover Tuscany but also consciously seek out space for relaxation. One day a city, the next day peace. It's exactly that balance that makes a stay with us special.

Discover Tuscany from the peace of Borgo Vista Serena

Do you want to experience Tuscany from a peaceful location with views, a pool, and charming apartments? View our apartments Terra, Belvedere, and Sole and discover which stay best suits your holiday.

Frequently asked questions about day trips from Borgo Vista Serena

Which day trip from Borgo Vista Serena do you recommend first?

Arezzo is one of the best first day trips. The city is atmospheric, easily accessible, and large enough for a full day out without immediately feeling as crowded as Florence.

Is Poppi a full day trip?

Poppi itself is more suitable for a half-day. We recommend combining Poppi with the Casentino, a lunch, a scenic route, and possibly La Verna or Camaldoli.

Is Florence doable as a day trip?

Florence is possible as a day trip, but it is an intensive city day. Leave early, don't overplan, and book popular museums in advance.

Are there quiet excursions available from Borgo Vista Serena?

Yes. Especially the Casentino, Poppi, Bibbiena, La Verna, and the surrounding nature are suitable for quiet excursions with fewer crowds.