There's a hilltop town in Tuscany that's been dubbed the Manhattan of the Middle Ages thanks to its ancient skyscrapers.

Between the 11th and 13th centuries, the wealthy families who owned the small Italian town of San Gimignano built 72 towers as a display of power

While only 14 towers remain, visitors can climb the highest - Torre Grossa - and will be rewarded after conquering the 218 steps with incredible panoramic views.

There are plenty of other things to do in the town, including a visit to the 14th century cathedral, famed for its stunning frescoes.

Other attractions include simply strolling through the town's medieval streets with a gelato in hand, wine tasting or sampling the region's famous Pecorino cheese.

San Gimignano is an hour's drive from Florence, or 80 minutes from Pisa. Catching the train from Florence takes one hour 20 minutes.

Both Ryanair and easyJet operate direct flights from the UK to  Pisa, with prices starting from £20 for a one-way ticket.