Cultural centres of Barga (25 mins), Pisa (1.5 hrs) and Florence (2 hr) are all close enough for a day trip.

Siena and San Gimingnano will take a bit longer, (3 hr drive) but if you enjoy driving the scenery is spectacular on the road down the 'Chianti shire'. Take road number 222 from Florence to Siena for the prettiest route, particularly if you would like to go wine tasting on the way down.