My family is part of a tour group visiting Rome in August but we have 3 "free" days to do what we want. We are already scheduled to see all the "must sees" (Colosseum, Roman Forum, Capitoline Hill, Circus Maximus, etc.) in and around Rome with the tour group. We want to spend the rest of our time visiting/seeing what is off the beaten path, not where all the tourists go. Where do we go (Rome or other) to experience the local people, food, and crafts? (Even in the states, we tend to avoid anything touristy like the plague and strike out on our own to find the unexpected and unforgettable beauties where no one else goes).
If we choose to spend a couple of days in Florence, where are these "off the beaten path" places?
Any suggestions would be wonderfully helpful!!