Archive for 'Localities'

When my family decided that they wanted to visit a winery the very next day, late in the afternoon, I spent a rather panicked evening researching somewhere that suited their rather demanding stipulations and would be able to take us on such short notice.

I eventually (after much hair pulling and cursing under my breath) found Agriturismo Frascole and saw they did daily tours and tastings and were about a half hour drive from our villa. I rang early the next morning and they were able to take us at 3, as I requested. Little did I know how fortuitously excellent a selection it would prove to have been.

The road up to the winery was not easy. However, Frascole is located near the charming town of Dicomano, high up in Tuscan Apennines in the middle of an unspoiled area of natural beauty. The historic buildings, surrounding fields of the vineyard and incredible views over the mountains and valleys below were truly breathtaking.

The beautiful medieval walled city of Lucca in Tuscany boasts lots to see and do and wonderful historic buildings are not in short supply. However, even among all of these incredible buildings and fascinating sights, the picturesque Palazzo Pfanner, with its perfectly landscaped gardens, stands out.

Designed for the wealthy merchant Moricani family, it was built as a demonstration of their wealth and power within the city in 1660.

Unfortunately for the Moriconi family, bankruptcy forced them to sell the building in 1680. The Controni family, silk merchants who had risen to the nobility, bought the palace and extended it and added to it in many different ways.

A monumental staircase was added, presumably on the plans of the Lucca architect Domenico Martinelli and the gardens were altered in the 17th century, likely under Filippo Juvarra.

Tuscany is absolutely full of things to see and do but among this endless list of things, there are seven designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the region: the historic centre of Florence (initiated in 1982); the Cathedral square of Pisa (1987); the historical centre of San Gimignano (1990); the historical centre of Siena (1995); the historical centre of Pienza (1996); the Val d'Orcia (2004), and the Medici Villas and Gardens (2013). If you are planning a trip to Tuscany, a visit to any of these attractions would enhance any holiday.

In the last posts, we discussed some of the entries on the list so here are the last of those Tuscan UNESCO sites and why you need to visit!

There is no shortage of things to see and do and incredible attractions in Tuscany but there are seven designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the region: the historic centre of Florence (initiated in 1982); the Cathedral square of Pisa (1987); the historical centre of San Gimignano (1990); the historical centre of Siena (1995); the historical centre of Pienza (1996); the Val d'Orcia (2004), and the Medici Villas and Gardens (2013).

If you are planning a trip to Tuscany, these heavy hitters would all be excellent activities. In the last post, we discussed the first two entries on the list so here are more of those UNESCO sites and why you need to visit!

3. The Historical Centre of San Gimignano

Tuscany is an incredible region that is full of things to see and do. Tourists flock to its endless museums, architectural gems, historic sites, restaurants, gelaterias and activities and all of these things have their own charms.

However, among all of the different attractions in Tuscany, seven have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the historic centre of Florence (initiated in 1982); the Cathedral square of Pisa (1987); the historical centre of San Gimignano (1990); the historical centre of Siena (1995); the historical centre of Pienza (1996); the Val d'Orcia (2004), and the Medici Villas and Gardens (2013).

These heavy hitters present a list of some key and iconic spots to visit in the region. If you are planning a trip to Tuscany, visits to any, or all, of these attractions would enrich your vacation.