Casciana Terme 200

In the previous article we discussed the importance of kicking back and relaxing on holidays. No matter how many museums you want to see, shops you want to visit or dishes you want to try, it's best to take it easy for at least a little bit of your holiday.

Tuscany, though the pace of life is calmer than most of us are used to, can encourage running around like a headless chicken as there is just so much to see and do and you're sure to want to do it all.

Luckily, however, it is also the perfect region in which to balance it out with some days of pure and utter relaxation as there are many wonderful and historic spa towns with natural hot springs and top-notch facilities dotted all over.

Casciana Terme is a town located in the Pisan Hills in Tuscany which is best known for its thermal springs and spas. The town is very much a typical Tuscan one and has all the charms one would expect of the region with a skyline characterised by terra-cotta roofs, undulating green hills and a medieval bell-tower.

Of course, there is a wonderful local cuisine, beautiful old buildings and museums and lots to see and do in the area, as there is in most Tuscan towns but it is the waters and treatments of Casciana Terme that make it stand out from all the rest.

For the ultimate relaxing Tuscan holiday just find a luxury villa in Casciana Terme.

Chianni is a stunning town in the Pisa province of Tuscany that lies about 35 kilometres outside of Pisa city. It is a little Tuscan gem, tucked into a sea of grape vines, chestnut woods and olive trees. Overlooking the scenic Valdera Valley, Chianni is located close to other towns of interest such as San Gimignano, Volterra and Pisa. It’s a beautifully preserved 12th century town with quaint little streets, well-kept houses and welcoming townsfolk.

Renting a villa in Chianni is easy and offers tourists a beautiful area to explore during their time here.

Attend the delicious and entertaining Wild Boar Festival of Chianni which has been hosted here since 1976!

Savour the rich flavours of stews, pasta sauces and pies made from the succulent meat of the wild boar and learn all about the ancient traditions of hunting and cooking this animal in the local area.

Book from a fine choice of Chianni vacation villa rentals where you can visit the town with ease and many other wonderful attractions in the Tuscan countryside.

The festival takes place from early to mid-November each year in the medieval town of Chianni in Pisa province. Delicious smells rise from the stalls of cooks throughout the town, serving up their version of a wild boar delicacy among other Slow Food products of Tuscany. Enjoy the lively atmosphere here which is enhanced by the sound of traditional music throughout the day and dancing events at night.

Are you mad about strawberries? If so, have you tried strawberries (or, really, any kind of fruit or vegetables) in Italy during the summer? It is a whole different experience that can completely change your mind about things and convert you to foods that you never thought you liked! If you love strawberries, then you need to try Italian strawberries that have been perfectly ripened by the sunny days and fertile soils of Italy. It is a magical experience but it is at its absolute peak in the town of Terricciola. Located in the province of Pisa, this pretty little town is most famous for her annual strawberry festival, which is a must-see for foodies who have found themselves a luxury villa in Pisa and plan on spending time in the area during May.

Lari is a small hilltop village located around 30 km from Pisa, that is thought to have been founded by the Etruscans. Its most distinctive feature is the castle that sits at the centre of the village and looks out over the whole area. Most of the present day castle dates back to the first half of the 17th century but records show that a castle has stood in the area since before 1200. It was an incredibly important military stronghold of the Pisan Republic and was caught up in the disputes between Pisa and Florence. When the Florentines took over in 1406, it became the residence of the vicars and was installed with a court room, prison and torture chamber. The prison was enlarged in the 18th century and remained in use until 1934. It was only in 1991, that the Municipality of Lari began restoring the castle and it was then opened to the public as a historic tourist attraction.

As one might imagine, a history filled with punishment, crime, death and torture has lead to a history of ghost stories and the town, at large, is also steeped in some spooky tales. Lari Castle is said to be haunted by the spirit of Giovanni Princi, a man who found hanging in his prison cell in 1922 after being jailed for his political views.