Get involved in the end of the Tuscan football season

You could hardly get further from the Tuscan cliche than a trip to the football. But if you're planning to travel to Tuscany this spring, you're unlikely to find a more authentic local experience than an afternoon at the calcio.

Fiorentina, Tuscany's glamour team, currently lie 5th in Italy's top footballing tier, Serie A. They are involved in dogfight for the final Champions League qualifying slot, with this year's surprise package, Genoa.

I Viola, as they are known for for their violet-coloured shirts, play at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, behind Florence's Campo di Marte station (a 5 min. journey from Santa Maria Novella). One handy central ticket outlet is Chiosco degli Sportivi, at Via degli Anselmi 1, just off Piazza della Repubblica. (Though for club merchandise, head instead to Ale' Viola at Via del Corso 69r.)

Fiorentina's remaining home games are against Roma on April 25th, Torino on May 3rd, Sampdoria on May 17th, and finally Milan on May 31st.

Siena, meanwhile, are at the other end of the footballing glamour league. However, the little club in the black and white stripes has all but secured Serie A football for yet another season. Curva Robur hero and former Middlesborough striker Massimo Maccarone has once again grabbed a major share of Siena's goal tally.

Regular Premier League or even Championship watchers might be surprised by a somewhat makeshift stadium (also, confusingly, the Artemio Franchi) wedged between the Fortezza and San Domenico, but it's a friendly place nonetheless. And the fans even sang "You'll Never Walk Alone" last time I was there, something that's always going to make this Liverpool fan keen to head back.

Siena's remaining home games are against Chievo on April 19th, Napoli on May 3rd, Palermo on May 10th, and Juventus on May 24th. The best place to buy tickets is at the Siena Calcio window, by the underground bus ticket office in Piazza Gramsci. The morning of matchday is usually sufficient advance-planning.

If you're not wedded to a Serie A experience, a gripping season-end looms in Serie B. AS Livorno, from the port city that also gave birth to the Italian Communist Party, are right in the thick of a 7-way fight for 4 playoff places. Gli amaranto (the purples), as they're known, were relegated in 2008 and are chasing an immediate return to Serie A.

Their Stadio Armando Picchi is in Piazzale Montello close to the Museo Fattori in a pleasant suburb. (There's plenty of parking nearby.) Tickets are always available on matchday at the Punto Amaranto inside the main stadium entrance.

Livorno's remaining home games are against Parma on April 18th, Modena on April 25th, Triestina on May 9th, and Albinoleffe on May 23rd. Three of those 4 are also within touching distance of Italy's top flight, so expect some raw nerves.

Wherever you're heading, you'll need to take photo ID (like a passport) in order to purchase tickets. If you're a football newbie, ask for a tribuna tranquilla. That's a quiet seat, away from the curva crazies. And pack a smile: local supporters will be delighted to see you.

Enjoy the game.