A chain of hills between the plain of Prato and the lower reaches of the Valdarno, with pine, oak and chestnut woods, gentle slopes with vineyards and olive groves, supplying exceptional quality products, such as Carmignano, Chianti Montalbano and Ruspo, Vinsanto (a dessert wine), and excellent olive oil. It is agricultural country-side that has been modernized after the decline of the share system, still maintaing its ancient structures as an integral part of the local historical and artistic heritage that has been prospering ever since the Etruscan period.

Poggio a Caiano, is a modern, industrialized center on the Ombrone river (in the Middle Ages it was the Prato river port for the Arno). During June and July the Festival delle Colline takes place here: a festival of music, theater and art. The magnificient Villa Medici, (see picture) ordered by Lorenzo il Magnifico on a plan drawn by Giuliano da Sangallo in 1479, overlooks the town from its hill.

At nearby Comeana, of Etruscan origin, are the Tomba di Boschetti (Boschetti tomb) which was unroofed during agricultural work, and the majestic Tumulo di Montefortini containing two important tombs from the 7th century B.C., near Calavria, a 16th century farm that offers farm-holidays and riding.

From Comeana the road climbs towards Artimino (253 m.) founded in the 7th century B.C., an important Etruscan center wuth a rich necropolis at Prato di rosello, towards Poggio alla Malva. The Villa Medicea built by B. Buontalenti in 1594, is in a splendid position, a magnificient building with avant-corps corners and a central loggia. Inside is the important Museo Archeologico Etrusco Comunale (Town Etruscan Archeological Museum - tel. 055/8718124), with neolithic remains and rare Etrscan objects from local exavation. In front of the villa is an interesting and well-preserved medieval fortified village, now partly occupied by the Fattoria of Artimino (Farm-holidays and fishing). South of the village is the romanesque Church of S. Leonardo. A short walk away is the noteworthy Abbey of S. Martino in Campo (10th century).

From this area the visitor can return up to Carmignano (182m.), the cnter of the local wine-making districts. On St. Michael's (September 29th) there is a procession of floats from individual local districts, anf the historical Palio dei Ciuchi (donkey race). The Church of St. Michael (about 1349, with 16th century portico and cloister) holds paintings from 14th-17th centuries, among which the splendid Visitazione (Visitation) by Jacopo Pontorm (about 1530). Nearby is the romanesque Church of Montalbiolo.

From Carmignano, or from the Pistoia state road the village of Seano may be reached, where another procession of floats is held during Carnival; in the Quinto Martini Park Museum the artist's large bronze sculptures are on display. Also near Seano is the Villa-farm of Capezzana (15th and 16th centuries, farm-holidays and riding), with its romanesque oratory, and the village of Bacchereto (parish church of s.Maria) with the farm (farm-holidays). On the road that leads to Vinci the beautiful Abbey of San Giusto al Pinone (12th century)

The medieval village of Figline (105 m.) with its Romanesque-Gothic Church, S. Pietro (frescoes from the 14th-16th centuries and interesting adjoining Museum), as well as a handsome Gaddi Tabernacle, stands at the foot of Monteferrato. This is a mountain of magmatic origin with three characteristic conical peaks, rich in botanical and geological features such as the well-known green marble, and a red jasper used in the Paleolithic period by a tribe of hunters; this is confirmed by a number of objects found in Galceti in the area around the Centro diScienze Naturali (Natural Science Center). The Center consist of a large park with free-roaming animals, natural science collections, fauna sanctuary and protected area, and lake. Near Galceti are the villages of Bagnolo and Montemurlo, and along the way the lovely villas of Galceto, Strozzi, and Del Parugiano.

The enormous industrial and demographic development of the last 30 years has modified the economy, territory and culture of the area around Montemurlo, which however still preserves interesting historical and artistic features in its surrounding hills: the impressive Villa del Barone, and the Castle, once belonging to the Guidi family, plunged in the greenery, with parts of its walls dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries and three gates. The last anti-Medici conspiracy was brought off here in 1537. Within the Castle is the solid Rocca (fortress) built in the 14th century over pre-existing constructions, and converted into a villa in the 16th century, and also the romanesque parish church of S. Giovanni Battista (St. John Baptist).

The northern suburbs of Prato are teeming with industrial estabilishments, the largest of which is Fabbricone, built in 1888, now partly transformed into a modern theater, and they uninterruptedly reach Santa Lucia along SS 325 state road. At La Foresta there is a turn-off for the hill villages of Faltugnano, Fabio and Parmigno where are vestiges of medieval structures. At La Briglia is the interesting, end of the 19th century Forti wool-mill, a rare though degraded example of a "factory-town", complete of worker residences, sociale services and church.

The town of Vaiano is located in a green dip; it has only recently been developed industrially, but was an important medieval fortified village belonging to the Prato township. Badia S. Salvatore is an 12th century abbey restored in 1932. Above it soars an impressive bell-tower of alberese stone and green marble, 1258-66, the top completed in the 14th century; in the former monastery there is a renaissance cloister tha has been blocked up. The Abbey houses the Renaissance and Sacred art Museum. Besides in Vaiano is the important Val di Bisenzio historical photographics Archives containing over 4000 period photographs; and the Historical and Ethnographical Documentation Center (for visiting call 0574- 989296).

Excursions may be taken to S. Gaudenzio (Villa Buonamici, a country residence of the 14th-16th centuries), Sofignano and Savignano (medieval fortified houses and churches) along the slopes of the Calvana mountains. On the opposite side of the valley is Schignano (460 m.), a health resort lying among pine and chestnut woods on Mount Javello, and Migliana (603 m.), in a wide open cool hollow covered with well-cared-for chestmut trees.

Back down on the state road, in front of Villa Novellucci (17th century), rise the impressive ruins of Rocca Cerbaia, a small fortress of the Alberti Family in the 12th-13th centuries; it may be reached by a path across the medieval bridge, thsat continues to Montecuccoli, a hamlet on the crest of the Calvana.

After Terrigoli, where there is an interesting Permanent Exhibit of material objects and techniques, is Mercatale di Vernio, the main center of the Vernio township that has been recently developed, though it has long been a market place at the confluence of the Fiumenta and Bisenzio rivers. A steep road leads to S: Ippolito which is a summer resort, and where on Ash Wednesday a Carnival is held with masquerade and festival known as "Carnevalino". Near the parish church of S. Ippolito and Cassiano , which was originally romanesque and then transformed between the 16th and 18th centuries, the Biblioteca Popolare F: Petrarca (Petrarch Public Library of 1916) is housed in the Compagnia premises. Nearby farm-holidays are offered by the Sucini farm. From Mercatale, after the bridge on the Bisenzio, a road leads up to Cavarzano (650 m.), an ancient county castle in a dominating position, or reaches the village of Luicciana in a scenic area. The buildings here are modern and in 1983-84 were enriched by the addition of works by italian and foreign artists, some of considerable renown, carried out on the facades and courtyards thus creating an original Open-Air Museum. At La Villa (farm-holidays) there is a fresh-water park with a small lake and sports equipment. Beyond Luicciana, is Cantagallo in a beautiful position amid the mountains, and the possibility of taking excursions to Pian della Rasa at Rifugio Pacini (Pacini Mountain shelter) at 1001 m. above sea level, by way of CAI paths).

After Mercatale, past the opening of the Apennine railway tunnel (built in 1920-29 and 18.510 meters long), is S. Quirico di Vernio on the river Fiumenta.On the first Sunday in Lent the traditional Sagra della Polenta (chestmut meal polenta festival) is held here. On the square is a handsome group of buildings of the 17th and early 18th centuries: Il Casone (the Count's palace), the Galleria and Oratorio di S: Niccolò (gallery and oratory of St. Nicholas, a charitable institution founded by Ridolfo dei Bardi) with their interesting interior.

The walk up to the Rocca, a stronghold with the remains of the ancient castle (country seat) is stimulating.

On a sunny plateau among thick fir-woods, near one of the easier Apennine passes, is Montepiano (700 m.), since the last century an important and well-equipped health resort. Via della Badia, with holiday homes, tourist center and a small lake for fishing, leads to the Badia di S. Maria, a 12th century abbey that was once a monastery of the Vallombrosa Benedectine order, fine lunette with archaic reliefs, inside some important frescoes from the 13th and 16th centuries.

• Autostrada del Sole (A1 motorway) - Prato-Calenzano exit
  
• Autostrada Firenze-Mare (A11 motorway)- Prato Est or Prato Ovest exits
  
• CAP and LAZZI buses from Florence e Pistoia
  
• Florence-Bologna railway line: Prato Central station
  
• Florence-Lucca-Viareggio railway line: Prato Central and Prato P.ta al Serraglio station
  
• SS 325 Prato-Bologna State highway
  
• A. Vespucci Airport - Florence (km 16)
  
• Galileo Galilei Airport - Pisa (km 76)