Carlotta

We've previously discussed Italy's Santa, a witch called Befana, before. Befana is a good witch, whose name comes from the Roman dialect's pronunciation of the Italian "epifania" (or Epiphany), and comes delivering gifts for the good children, and lumps of coal to the bad ones on the 5th of January, the night before Epiphany, to make up for missing Jesus long ago. She is visualised as an old and ugly witch who flies on her broom and delivers presents in stockings hanging over the fireplace (sounds familiar!), coming down from the chimney.

Befanini, meanwhile, are soft, sprinkle-covered, cake-like lemon-scented cookies that are typical of the Versilia area on the Tuscan coast. Traditionally made on the 5th, when the Befana is coming to visit, they are beloved of kids and adults alike and for good reason: they're delicious!

As we have been talking about vacation rentals in Tuscany with great views, properties that overlook the beautiful and typical Tuscan landscape have abounded but those with sea views should not be overlooked either. Here are some of our best properties with seaside views that will make you smile each morning of your holiday.

6. Il Segreto

Villa Il Segreto is located in the hills of Versilia. While the property itself has lots to write home about – a bright and cheerful interior, all mod cons, a 2000sqm private garden, private swimming pool with sea view, deck chairs, loungers and umbrellas, relaxing sofas, table tennis, outdoor dining space and 4 private parking spaces – it is the view that really recommends it. Set in an incredible panoramic position, it takes in the valley below, as well as sea views across Livorno and the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago such as Gorgona and, sometimes, even all the way to Elba. With five bedrooms and six bathrooms, it is available from €178 per night.

Come to the Versilia coast where you can find some fascinating old castle ruins and ancient walled towns to walk around and learn about. Stay in a fabulous villa with a swimming pool in the Versilia area of Tuscany for a few days to soak up some sunshine and culture!

Close to the fortressed town of Camaiore in the Versilia area of Tuscany is the partially restored castle of Montemagno.

It was built in the middle ages beside a village of the same name. It overlooked a section of the pilgrim road to Rome, the Via Francigena, running through Lucca into the Versilia plains.

Estimations have the castle dating as far back as 1099 and the private owner of the castle today had it wonderfully restored to include the original walls and the façade of the adjacent San Bartolomeo church.

The concept of paid beaches is something that is foreign to a lot of people around the world but they are actually quite a common thing in Italy. They are just cordoned-off and privately-owned sections of a beach but there are also usually free sections that you can choose to use instead if you would prefer to save a little bit of money. However, if you want better facilities, such as sun loungers and umbrellas, cleaner bathrooms, beachside bars, etcetera, you often have to pay for them. Depending on your needs and interests and personality, you may choose to splash out on a paid beach or you may just opt to find a free beach elsewhere. However, if you have found a luxury villa in Tuscany and you’re going for a more luxurious experience of the region and don’t want to have to worry about anything, then the paid beaches are a stylish and carefree way to have a beach day in the region. Those who have found a vacation rental in Versilia, one of the most famous stretches of the Tuscan Coast, and are looking for a paid beach to go to and enjoy a relaxing day by the sea with all of the best amenities and highest quality services, should plan to spend at least a day at Versiliana Beach.

Carrara Marble is famous worldwide. It adorns counters in the fanciest kitchens around the world and was the material of choice of the great Renaissance genius, Michelangelo. To this day, the area in and around Carrara is steeped in the tradition of marble quarrying and of parcelling it off to make beautiful things. You can go on exhilarating 4x4 tours through the glittering marble quarries of the region to see where the journey of so many famous art objects and buildings began, you can explore the stunning and exquisitely carved marble gem that is Carrara’s Cathedral and how the material can be used to its fullest and most extraordinary extent, you can wander around the many marble beauties in the town of Carrara, and you can also seek out the exceptionally lovely sculptures made of Carrara marble in churches and galleries and museums all over Tuscany, Italy, and the world.

Lucca is a stunning city in Tuscany, full of attractive monuments and tourist attractions to explore. During your stay at a villa in Lucca, if you have a day or two to spare, why not embark in a rented car to visit some of these charming towns within a short driving distance?

Start off your day with a trip to Pietrasanta which is located 25 kilometres North West of Lucca. This is a welcoming artistic town full of interesting museums, art galleries and sculpture workshops to stroll around. An art lover could easily lose themselves happily in Pietrasanta for a few hours!