Archive for 'Localities'

  

Monday, September 16, 2013
Sanctuary of La Verna
If you are staying in or even passing through the Casentino valley in Tuscany, a worthwhile visit would be one to the town of Chiusi della Verna. The sanctuary of La Verna, founded by St. Francis of Assisi, is located near the top of Mount Penna above the town of Chiusi della Verna. It is said to be one of the most peaceful places to be on earth.

There are many visitors to these parts because this is where St. Francis of Assisi lived for his final years in solitude with his fellow Franciscan monks. The nearby Basilica Maggiore contains terracotta sculpture by the famous Andrea della Robbia. Also to be viewed by the tourist is the Chapel of Relics which contains possessions of St. Francis when he was alive. There is a tablecloth, some crockery and a walking stick.

The most unusual artefact found is a ‘disciplina’, an iron handle whip used in a common Christian practice of ‘Mortification of the Flesh’, where monks would routinely whip their own flesh in penance for their sins. A relic of the saint’s blood staining a linen cloth can also be seen here. It’s carried around Chiusi della Verna during holy celebrations. After a visit to this sanctuary, a half hour of hiking would bring you to the summit of Mount Penna where the views are breath taking!     Read More
Posted in: Churches & Religious Buildings, Day Trips, Localities, Small Towns, Tourist Attractions

  

Monday, September 16, 2013
Raggiolo San Michele Church
If you’re visiting the Casentino region in Tuscany for a few days, perhaps you’d like to explore this suggested day trip through four very interesting towns in the area that have plenty to offer in terms of sightseeing, food tasting and history.
You can enjoy a few day’s stay in a fine selection of tuscany villa rentals in the district.

Why not start the day’s activities in the town of Ortignano Raggiolo, just over seven kilometres southwest of the town of Bibbiena. Once two separate towns situated right beside each other, they decided to unite in 1873 and simply combined their individual names to make up the new town name.

Chestnut trees are plentiful here, there’s even a museum built in their honour in the town! Chestnuts were once and still are a popular staple food of the region. This museum illustrates the stages of chestnut harvesting and emphasises to the visitor, all the wonderful products that they are used in! They can be ground into sweet flour and made into a light bread called Polenta which is often eaten with some delicious locally produced ricotta cheese. Try it for yourself in ‘Ristorante Il Convivio dei corsi’ located in the town centre before moving onto the next stop of this interesting trail.     Read More
Posted in: Day Trips, Localities, Small Towns

  

Monday, September 16, 2013
Bibbiena Landscape
If you’re holidaying in the valley of Casentino in Tuscany then perhaps taking a few day trips around the region would be an excellent way to see all that this abundant area has to offer! There are plenty of gorgeous luxury villas and farmhouses available for visitors to rent and enjoy relaxing in for their stay here. About twenty minutes drive from the large town of Bibbiena is the town of Pratovecchio. The centre of this charming commune is named Piazza Paolo Uccello, after the great Renaissance artist who was born here in 1397. There are two monasteries in this town; a monastery of the Camaldoli Monks which was founded by the Guidi Counts in the 12th century and the monastery of the Dominican monks of Santa Maria della Neve in the 16th century.

Pratovecchio is famous for its exquisite Tuscan dishes. Why not stay for lunch here in a restaurant called ‘La Tana Degli Orsi’ which has been well reviewed by visitors. Try a popular dish called ‘Tortelli sulla Lastra’ which is essentially a large ravioli stuffed with a mixture of pumpkin, garlic, bacon, potato and percorino.     Read More
Posted in: Day Trips, Localities, Small Towns

  

Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Montemignaio Castle
If you enjoy a mixture of culinary, historical and cultural expeditions on your travels then perhaps basing a few days of your holiday in the region of Casentino in Tuscany would appeal to you.

The Casentino valley has plenty of vacation rentals to choose from for your stay here.

There are several suggested articles of day trips to embark on in this region that visitors are sure to enjoy thoroughly. This particular article describes local festivals, historical sites and delicious cuisine that can be found in this detailed trail of towns and villages.

Only fifteen minute’s drive from Bibbiena is the charming town of Borgo alla Collina. The people of this town love to celebrate and if visitors are lucky enough to be passing through this area during the summer months, they’re in for a treat! Every year Borgo all Collina hosts a theatre festival during the months of July and August. In the Piazza Dante Alighieri, people fill up the area to watch comedy, dance, opera and plays being performed.     Read More
Posted in: Day Trips, Localities, Small Towns

  

Monday, September 9, 2013
View of Populonia and Gulf of Baratti
To gain a perfect perspective of the beauty of Italy’s coastline, a holiday along the coast of Tuscany will fill any visitor’s heart with a sense of awe and admiration for its beautifully preserved beaches and coastal towns.

Much of the land layouts, building designs and winding roads have stayed true to the times when the ancient civilisation, the Etruscans built a prosperous environment for themselves between 800BC AND 390BC.

The Etruscan coastline could be described as a heaven for the senses!

Anyone who gazes out onto the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean and breathes in the salty smell of the coast can fully appreciate the lengths that the Tuscan people go to protect their environment from pollution. As they turn to face the land, they’ll be greeted by the sight of prosperous growth of juicy green and black olives, ripening fruit and colourful fields packed with grains and vegetables bathing in the warm sunlight. The bouquet of smells wafting from the sea and land is like a tonic for the soul!     Read More
Posted in: Beaches, Localities, Tourist Attractions, Tuscan Coast