Mention to people that you are visiting Tuscany and they all wax lyrical about the delights of Sienna, the fabulous art of Florence and the ancient Manhattan style skyline of San Gimignano.  But for someone who was more at homes with a back pack and travel in the third world, I wanted to see parts of Tuscany that were far less touristy...more off the beaten track.  Scouring my guidebook I concentrated on the towns and villages that were described in a mere fifty words or less.  Theses were the types of places that would attract fewer tourists and therefore attract me.

First stop on my less visited list was Colle di Val d'Elsa, just a short drive from San Gimignano where most people immediately head.  Ignoring the newer part of town, instead I headed for the delightful village perched on top of the hill.  Here I wandered the narrow labyrinth of alleyways , where colourful flowers grew from pots and window boxes, finally emerging at a vantage point with sweeping views.

The village is well known for its glassware, which originate from the Middle Ages and there were several shops selling this and ceramic ware cheaper than in the bigger towns.

Having worked up a thirst I stopped at the town square, shaded by ancient trees, for a coffee and watched village life going about its daily business despite the few tourists who had invaded their space.  Old men, complete with black caps and braces sat outside the cafe in a row of well torn chairs and talked animatedly about...well whatever!

San Gimignano is famous as one of Tuscany's perfectly preserved medieval villages but Monteriggioni is smaller, less well known but magnificently preserved  Originally constructed in the 13th century, Monteriggioni sits like a crown proudly placed on top of a hill, surrounded by olive groves.  Built as a fortress to protect Sienna, the wall and its 14 towers are still in excellent condition and worth the steep walk to the entrance.  Inside the gate there is a large main square where I treated myself to an ice cream to cool down.  It seems like everywhere you go in Tuscany there is always the temptation of delicious ice cream in 101 different flavours!

Apart from a small church, restaurant and a couple of shops there is also a very good 4* hotel for those looking for something quiet.  The view was stunning across the flat plains below to San Gimignano in the distance.

But my favourite place of all was Volterra, located in an out-of-the-way hill top position in an unusual volcanic landscape, in total contrast to the typical Tuscan countryside.  Being off the main tourist routes it seems very few visitors but those who make the effort will be enchanted, as I was, with this town.  It was easy to spend a day just wandering and taking in the atmosphere of the town's medieval buildings, narrow cobbled streets, dusty old shops, the main piazzas, galleries, archaeological museum and a cathedral built in 1120.

I enjoyed a long lunch of typical Tuscan fare, pasta with hare sauce and wild boar all washed down with local wine and at half the price of the tourist towns.

As I walked back to my car a couple who had just got married began their journey of life together by walking through the town where friends and relatives wishes them well. Obviously an old Italian custom, which I felt fortunate to have seen and only one of the many rewards of going 'off the beaten track'.