In the mountains there are numerous walks, some steep and leading to remote mountain peaks, others running along mountain ridges giving spectacular views that include Florence in the distance. Walks are numbered and indicated to correspond with special walkers' maps which are available locally. There is more information on this subject at the house. We have not used it ourselves but friends tell us that it is very good indeed but somewhat expensive. There is also a pool at San Giovanni.
Shopping is very easy and great fun.
There are plenty of good local shops of every type, and buying wine directly from a 'fattoria' can be fascinating. Many of the food shops are self-service, so the language need never be a problem. In Florence there are shops of every sort including numerous antique shops, elegant clothes shops, jewellers, etc. There is a famous leather market in Piazza S. Lorenzo and a large market in Cascine park on Sundays. In Florence, as in Siena, many shopkeepers speak some English.