Tuscany is home to some world-famous museums and galleries as well as churches and palaces with extraordinary collections that are known the world over and are immediate must-sees for those planning a vacation in Tuscany or to find a Tuscany villa. However, these well-known spots are not the only places to go to see art while in Tuscany. In fact, one might stumble across all kinds of incredible masterpieces all throughout the region from the Keith Haring mural painted on the side of an old church in Pisa to the examples of contemporary street art that dot cities such as Florence to random little chapels and tiny local museums that boast works by famous Old Masters. Or, you might find that a regional museum is playing host to a travelling exhibition or temporary loan of some astounding pieces from some of those more famous museums. One example of just such a regional museum and just such an exhibition is the Ex Cavallerizza in Lucca in the Piazzle Verdi, located in the stunning and historic city of Lucca, which is playing host to the, "I Pittori della Luce / Painters of Light," exhibition. Browse our villas with pools in Lucca and get booking today to see it for yourself this summer or in the early autumn before it closes!
Lucca is exactly the type of city that one can spend their entire time just wandering around and allowing oneself to stumble upon her various surprises and secrets. From crowds of locals standing around enjoying morning espresso and pastries at little family-run bakeries, to tiny pizza shops serving up piping hot and delicious pizza by the slice, to souvenir shops and perfectly curated clothing boutiques, to artisan’s workshops where beautiful things are handcrafted, to charming old churches, to museums full of fascinating objects, to architectural gems, to picturesque alleys with cats perched on walls...all this and much more besides can be found as you wander Lucca’s lovely historic streets. And then, if you’ve found your villa with pool in Lucca or your Tuscany villa, and you’re spending some time exploring all that she has to offer, you may find yourself on Via Chiasso Barletti, right in the heart of the Old Town. There, on this cobbled, narrow, shop-lined street, you’ll find Etta’s Bookshop.
Etta’s Bookshop is a real treasure and a must-see spot for bookworms who are on vacation in Lucca. An English-language bookshop that was opened in 2019, just shortly before everything was closed down, it has managed to survive the pandemic and we’re so glad. Stocking a wonderful curation of books, owner Giulia Rontani was able to keep going in those first few months due to her loyal customers who ordered books that she would drive around delivering to their homes (according to her interview here). Now, with her doors open once more, she is able to welcome in both those loyal customers and new visitors alike to wander around and browse the brilliant array of books on offer.
12
Jan
2022
2022
As spring draws closer, many look forward to the blooming of flowers and, though it may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of famous destinations to enjoy spring blooms, Tuscany is actually an ideal place for those who like to wander in gardens and enjoy the scents and colours of life being breathed back into the land once more. In fact, there are lots of truly spectacular gardens dotted all over the region, many of which are former pleasure grounds that were once part of the estates of the nobles who used their wealth to adorn the countryside, cities, churches, and museums of Tuscany with incredible buildings, flights of fancy, stunning works of art, and magical things made or tamed by human hands. There is the Giardino di Boboli with its astonishing arrangement of fountains, statuary from ancient Rome to the 18th century, nymphaea, temples, grottoes, and plants; Florence’s Rose Garden which was commissioned in 1865 as part of a plan to redevelop the city when it became Italy’s capital and which boasts astonishing views over Florence as well as a whopping 400 different species of roses; and the English-style garden and classic Italian-style garden filled with the scent of the lemons and a colourful riot of blooms ripened by the sun at the former Medici villa of Poggio a Caiano in Prato; to name but a handful of examples. However, if you are a planning a vacation in Tuscany this coming spring and you have a special fondness for camellia flowers, in particular, then you should make a point to head to the town and comune of Capannori in the province of Lucca...
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?
23
Sep
2021
2021
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.
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.