Archive for 'Localities'

Wine-lovers planning a trip to Tuscany will find themselves truly spoiled for choice when it comes to ideal destinations for sampling and shopping different wines and for visiting wineries. However, if you’re interested in the big hitters in life and seeing if they live up to the hype, then you’ll likely be interested in visiting the famous Chianti wine region of Tuscany. In particular, a villa with pool in Greve in Chianti makes for a perfect base for wine fans who want to learn more about wine, try some excellent vintages, enjoy incredibly scenic surroundings, and be able to discover other nearby famous destinations and attractions in Tuscany.

The utterly picturesque and wonderfully historic town of Greve in Chianti is considered to be a doorway into Chianti and is located right along the SR222 provincial road that is known by locals as the Chiantigiana road, just 30km south of Florence and 40km north of Siena, making it very easy to plan day trips to either of those famous and beloved cities while on holiday in the area. It is also perfectly located to begin delving into the many incredible wineries of the region. One such nearby winery that is well-worth mentioning and definitely worth visiting is Montecalvi Winery...

Tuscany is actually a rather excellent hiking destination, though many travellers do not realise this as there are so many other incredible things to see and do across the region. However, if you are planning a vacation in Tuscany and you are thinking about travelling in the next couple of months then you should definitely consider going on a hike or two during your trip as the autumnal weather and golden scenes are just perfect for outings. With lots of different mountain and forest routes to choose from that are well-marked, peaceful, pleasant, and boast the most extraordinary views over the famously picturesque landscape of the region, Tuscany really is an idyllic place to stretch your legs, get some fresh air, forget the rest of the world, and reconnect with nature for a few hours!

One of the most-Googled questions about Tuscany, and a question that many thinking of planning their first vacation in Tuscany may have, is, “What is the prettiest town in Tuscany?” This, of course, is quite a contentious query with many potential answers depending on of whom you ask it (lots of patriotic locals will be quick to boast about their own hometowns and nostalgic visitors who fondly remember their own trips will choose places that mean something to them, in particular), when you're planning on travelling, what things you like to see and do, what kinds of scenery you prefer, and more. To single out just one town is not only selling Tuscany short – as it truly does boast seemingly endless stunning towns just waiting to be explored and to endear themselves to you – but it will also lead to the traveller asking it to potentially miss out on many other perfectly charming and utterly picturesque spots.

However, if you want a list of some especially lovely examples to get you started on your quest to uncover and discover some of the prettiest towns in Tuscany, then read on to our picks of just some of the best of the best among them...just don't complain if you're one of the aforementioned locals or Tuscany aficionados who don't happen to find their choice on the list!

While Tuscany is famous for beautiful views and you'll find incredible surroundings no matter where you turn, it is hard to get a proper eagle eye view of all of that loveliness unless you're willing to go hiking. Now, a hike in Tuscany makes for a wonderful day out, don't get us wrong, and you'll find plenty of excellent places to hike in the region with Garfagnana, Lunigiana, Casentino, and the Florentine hills all boasting famous trails. However, maybe you want a more thrilling way to appreciate the great beauty, maybe you don't want to have to sweat and walk for hours to take those most impressive of views in, maybe you want to have a special adventure while on vacation in Tuscany. Well, if that is the case and you have found a villa with pool in Lucca, then why not try out zip lining over a stunning valley with a jewel-toned lake, lush green forestry, pretty towns and villages, craggy cliffs and impressive peaks, and more besides?

Pietrasanta is an incredibly picturesque Tuscan town that is a must for art-lovers who are interested in getting off the beaten path while exploring the region. Of course, destinations such as Florence, Pisa, and Siena will all yield all sorts of truly extraordinary and world-class museums and galleries but there are many other important towns and cities throughout the region that have rich cultural histories and in which some of the most famous names worked and the most astounding pieces of art are on display. So, if you have found a villa with pool in Lucca and you are looking to take in amazing works of art and learn about great Renaissance masters, be sure to set aside a day to visit Pietrasanta, which is basically one large, open-air museum dotted with artistic gems.

Though the town has ancient Roman origins, it was one of the ideal towns of Tuscany founded in the 13th century that were created based on plans involving perfect proportions, symmetry, and balance, and the historic core of Pietrasanta is made up of five main streets running parallel to each other with a large square at one end. Made particularly famous once Michelangelo noticed the beauty of the stone from the area and began to use it, the town is located close to the famous marble quarries of Carrara and, as a result, has been a beacon for sculptors and artists for centuries, since at least the late Middle Ages.