Vicopisano 604

Tucked into the picturesque Pisan Mountains in Tuscany is the beautiful village of Vicopisano. It’s situated on the eastern slopes surrounded by the River Arno and River Auser flowing down on either side of it.

There’s a spectacular castle here that was built in the 9th century that once dominated the entire Arno valley; its dominion stretched from San Miniato to the Tuscan coast.

For those wishing to stay in this area for a few days, why not choose to stay in a gorgeous luxury villa in Cascina, only a few kilometres from Vicopisano?

Walk around the magnificent stronghold wall that was designed and built by Filippo Brunelleschi, lined with large lookout towers and high battlements. This was once a town that had to fiercely defend itself from power hungry provinces that wanted to seize control of the area. These battlements protected the townspeople from invasion and weapons like boiling oil and flaming arrows would have been launched over these high walls down upon their unfortunate attackers! Nowadays, visitors can climb up to some of these towers along the wall and admire the stunning beauty of the surrounding landscape.

For those who like to travel when tourist crowds are at their smallest, winter is a great time to visit Tuscany: it is when you can readily visit the most famous and popular tourist attractions without having to queue for long periods of time, when prices for things and various travel costs are often at their lowest, when things are most authentic and locals have the most energy for visitors as they aren’t coming in their swathes, and it is when the whole region seems like a different place entirely without the tourist crowds that arrive in summer.

However, you might also wish to experience many of the traditions and festivals that only take place during the high season in Tuscany. If this is the case, then fear not as the town of Buti, near Pisa, has the answer for you and makes for an ideal winter destination in Tuscany. If you are looking for the best time of year to visit Pisa, then come in time for the Palio di Buti. Find a vacation rental in Pisa and head to this town and this festival to get a slice of the palio tradition while enjoying the most peaceful time of the year in the region.

If you're spending any of your Tuscan holidays in the coastal province of Pisa then why not take a day to explore the spectacular walled town of Bientina? This beautiful place was protected from attack during the provincial wars of the Middle Ages by a deep moat that runs around its outer fortress walls and could only be entered through four drawbridges.

Why not stay a day or two in a luxury villa in Orentano, a nearby town, with excellent views of the area?

Bientina, meaning ‘Two Hedges’ is a very ancient town, with written records of its existence dating as far back as the year 793.

Visitors wishing to spend a day or two in or around this historical place have a fine selection of vacation villas and other great value holiday rentals to choose from.

Worth visiting on arrival to the town is the magnificent church of Santa Maria Assunta which has a massive nine altars! There are many exquisite oil paintings hung here that were created by famous Tuscan artists that date from the 16th and 17th centuries. Also here is a 17th century organ designed by Bartolomeo Ravani di Lucca.

You may have read our previous article about the great work of a non-profit Italian organization called the FAI (Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano). They launched an innovative project called ‘Luoghi del Cuore’ which is aimed at raising awareness of national cultural and historical attractions which have fallen into disrepair and require funding to restore them to their former glory.

This year the votes are pouring in and so far in 2014, a beautiful Tuscan landmark called the ‘Certosa of Calci’ is leading the way! Situated only ten kilometres from Pisa is an ancient monastery of the Certosine Order in Graziosa Valley. Founded in 1366 it began as a humble residence of monks and continued as one for several centuries.

Stay in a charming villa rental in Pisa where you can easily visit the Certosa of Calci among many other intriguing attractions in the province.

Sometimes a holiday in Tuscany can involve so much running around from place to place, lining up for museums and planning that it isn't actually all that relaxing. If you're the type that prefers to do nothing at all during a vacation than to spend all your time exploring, you might consider checking out a spa town and getting away from it all. Tuscany is home to a whole host of beautiful, characteristic spa towns with natural hot springs and wonderful facilities that have been attracting visitors from near and far for centuries.

Just find yourself a holiday rental in Tuscany and spend some time soaking in the warm waters, getting a massage or a facial, dining on good food and forgetting the outside world for a while in one of the following spa towns. Or, if you've got money and time to spare, maybe you could even do a tour of the towns.

Uliveto, in the province of Pisa, is one of several Tuscan towns known for its thermal baths but is a particularly memorable one among the bunch for its rich history and exceptional facilities – both natural and manmade. If you are planning a spa getaway in Tuscany, or even if you hadn't considered it but could do with some serious R&R, then Uliveto has to be one of the best possible destinations that you could choose!

Take a dip in Uliveto's water with its unmistakable taste, effervescence and beneficent virtues, go to a team of specialists and have them help you change your life and health forever or enjoy the surroundings, take a dip in the pool and even try out archery or martial arts. Once you have found a luxury villa in Uliveto, you'll never be short of something to do and you'll return home a much more relaxed person.