Tag: Tuscany

Discover Bagno Vignoni, a small hamlet of San Quirico d'Orcia near Siena. The charming thermal village is among the most photographed locations in Tuscany.   Bagno Vignoni is a small town in the Val d'Orcia Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, accessible from the historic Via Cassia, but also one of the stops along the ancient Via Francigena route that joined Canterbury to Rome in the Middle Ages. This small ancient village has very few inhabitants and can be toured in a couple of hours, but it is one of the most photographed in Italy by tourists from all over the world, attracted by its peculiarities. One of these is the scenic Piazza delle Sorgenti occupied by the pool of thermal water gushing from a natural spring, 49 metres long and 29 metres wide, surrounded by stone houses and dominated by the 11th century Vignoni Castle. The square dates back to the Renaissance period and was built on the thermal spring once used by the Romans. They already knew of its curative and relaxing properties and, even before the Etruscans.   Table of Contents What to see in Bagno Vignoni Visiting Bagno Vignoni & surroundings What to do in Bagno Vignoni? Events not to be missed How to get there     Bagno Vignoni has always attracted visitors for its thermal springs. Famous people have passed through here, such as Pope Pius II (Enea Silvio Piccolomini), Saint Catherine of Siena, Lorenzo de' Medici, known as the Magnificent, and Michel de Montaigne, to name but a few. And still today Bagno Vignoni is one of the most popular destinations in Tuscany, where one can spend short weekends and longer stays. There are more than one chance of satisfaction here, including the relaxation of the thermal baths, excellent food, the surrounding nature

Discover what to visit in and around Montecatini Terme in the heart of Tuscany, immersed in relaxation, Art Nouveau and local specialities: the ideal place for a relaxing break or a holiday of pure wellbeing.   Today we take you with us to Montecatini Terme, one of the most renowned spa resorts in Italy and beyond, so much so that in 2021 UNESCO recognised it as a World Heritage site and awarded the title “Great Spa City of Europe”. Located in the heart of the Valdinievole in the province of Pistoia, this beautiful Tuscan city is undoubtedly one of the most interesting tourist centres in the region. With its 20,000 inhabitants, it has always been a tourist destination, thanks mainly to its thermal springs, which already in the 19th century attracted many people to the city, including several celebrities such as Giuseppe Verdi, Ruggero Leoncavallo, Giacomo Puccini and King Vittorio Emanuele II. The most famous personalities are today remembered by the “Walk of Fame” along the pavements of Viale Giuseppe Verdi.   Table of contents What to see in Montecatini Terme What to do in Montecatini What to see in the surroundings Events not to be missed How to reach Montecatini   But, if you follow us on this virtual tour, you will immediately realise that Montecatini Terme has all the cards in order to offer you a relaxing but also enjoyable holiday, in the name of culture, well-being and good food, whether you are just passing through or, better still, whether you decide to choose it as a base for visiting its splendid surroundings. In fact, Montecatini is in a favourable position with respect to the great attractions of Tuscany: Florence, Pisa, Lucca and Versilia are no more than half an hour away, not to mention the wide choice

In this guide, we accompany you through the best day trips from Florence! Enjoy the amazing villages near Florence with their traditions, natural landscapes, food and wine specialities.   The Tuscan capital is one of the most famous cities in the world, everyone knows Florence even if only by hearsay. The best known definition is 'Cradle of the Renaissance'. But Florence is much more. It is a historic, modern city, where trends can be breathed in the air, even just by walking around... It is a cosmopolitan, timeless city. It is the city of the most famous artists of all time, from Michelangelo to Dante Alighieri to Leonardo da Vinci. It is the city of Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria, of the Duomo with Giotto's Bell Tower and the Uffizi Gallery, not forgetting the romantic Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge over the Arno River... But it is also the city that makes you lose your senses with its robust, genuine flavours, to be accompanied by the wine of Chianti. You go to Florence, visit it and then return, because there is always something left out. Sought after by tourists all year round, it deserves a trip in spring and autumn, when the climate delights tours and excursions.   🧳 Day trips from Florence, with gusto!   Near Florence there are wonderful villages, along the coast or inland, surrounded by green hills with their vineyards and olive trees. Villages with centuries-old traditions, some dating back to Etruscan and Roman times, others medieval and Renaissance, where you can visit churches and castles, towers, palaces, villas and gardens. For their value, UNESCO has declared some of them as World Heritage Sites: San Gimignano, Siena, Piazza del Duomo in Pisa, the Val d'Orcia territory and the Medici Villas. In this guide, we accompany

Let's discover what to see in San Gimignano. The town stands on a hill surrounded by the Tuscan Val d'Elsa countryside, about halfway between Florence and Siena. It is famous for being one of Tuscany's most beautiful medieval towns.   To visit San Gimignano, we come to the heart of the Val d'Elsa. The town, located 56 kilometres from Florence and about 30 kilometres from Siena, stands on top of a hill about 330 metres high, with its Towers, the symbol of medieval Tuscan architecture. “Manhattan of the Middle Ages” and “City of Beautiful Towers” are the names by which the town is known. In the Middle Ages, 72 tower-houses were built in San Gimignano, as symbols of the most wealthy and powerful patrician families. Since 1990, San Gimignano has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its great historical, artistic and architectural value. Here's why this wonderful town is like a magnet, attracting tourists from all over the world and all year round. Its appearance has remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, thanks to a decree that prohibited the destruction of existing buildings from 1282 on condition that more beautiful ones were built.   Table of contents What to visit in San Gimignano Visit San Gimignano & surroundings What to do in San Gimignano Events, Festivals & Fairs How to get to San Gimignano     Which is the best time to visit San Gimignano and its surroundings? Although Tuscany is always fascinating, the best time to enjoy its beauty is in Spring. In this season San Gimignano, surrounded by hills and vineyards, offers relaxing natural sceneries all around and a mild climate. In summer, the town offers festivals and events, but it is recommended in the low season to fully enjoy your visit.   🧳 Travel

Discover the best things to see in Maremma, including medieval villages, breathtaking views and glimpses of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Let yourself be overwhelmed by the culinary traditions and deep-rooted passion for wine!   A journey of local and gastronomic but also cultural and historical experiences, two perfect ingredients for a long holiday or a short weekend of relax. A place ranked as one of the best-loved in Italy where beaches, impervious cliffs, and mountains of wild woods are alternated with thermal baths where you can enjoy moments of tranquillity. Before looking together at the places to visit in the Maremma, it is important to underline that the Maremma is not just Tuscany as some people mistakenly think, but is a wider area that stretches along the Tyrrhenian coast and is divided between Pisa, Livorno and Latinum Maremma. Each of these areas can be distinguished by their own characteristics. A destination suitable for all types of travellers, for years has been welcoming couples, families with children, lovers of outdoor activities and historic villages . The Maremma was once the domain of the Etruscan empire and was reclaimed over the years to become what it is today: a unique tourist jewel.   🧳 Travel and taste the Maremma with Italia Delight!   The Maremma of the Etruscans Historically, the Maremma was occupied by the Etruscans, skilled merchants and sophisticated craftsmen of ceramics, gold, bronze and iron. The Etruscan people are remembered for their fantastic abilities to construct objects of all kinds, such as candelabras and vases, their artistic flair and their skill in managing maritime trade in the Mediterranean Sea. During the period when the Etruscans ruled the Maremma, they carried out numerous architectural works, building sewers, tunnels, bridges, temples and were the first to introduce the vault and the wedged arch.

The many things to see and do in Forte dei Marmi will surprise you: sport, relaxation, art, culture and good food!   Cradled by the Ligurian Sea and protected by the Apuan Alps, Forte dei Marmi is the golden pearl of Versilia. Here sea and mountains frame one of the most exclusive and glamorous places in the province of Lucca in Tuscany. If you too have chosen this destination, get ready for all the amazing things to see in Forte dei Marmi! 😉 This luxury tourist destination boasts beach facilities - the famous "Bagni" - that will make you feel like the protagonist of the Vanzina brothers' film Time for Loving (Sapore di Sale). The shopping in the streets of the city centre, the aperitifs by the sea and the local cuisine make it extremely seductive. You will realise that, in addition to all this, there is also space for art, culture and natural immersion!   Let me tell you a little history... The town's most distant past originates with the Ligurians, who had to submit to Roman expansion in the 2nd century. The role of the marble quarries was crucial in the economic and road development of the area: the Medici family was responsible for them in 1500 and contributed to the creation of roads to take the blocks to the sea. Michelangelo himself visited to personally choose the best marble to make La Pietà. Towards the end of the 18th century, it became necessary to create a fort to protect the shipment of the marbles from the Turks. Later it was also used as a warehouse before the embarkation of blocks. From this practice, the name of today's Forte dei Marmi derives. In the late 19th century, tycoons and entrepreneurs built residential villas and bathing facilities, vital to

If you are a wine and green landscape lover, come to the Chianti region of Italy! You will rediscover the pleasure of relaxing in nature and enjoying good wine.   In the heart of Tuscany, there is one of the most popular areas of the region: Chianti! Located between Florence and Siena and between Arezzo and the Pisan Hills, it is characterised by unique landscapes, with gentle hills, wide expanses of vineyards and olive groves, villages, fortresses, characteristic parish churches and stone farmhouses. The landscapes are so beautiful that they are often reproduced on postcards and calendars! As many people know, the name of the Chianti region has been linked to that of the famous DOCG wine since 1984, as it is one of the best known Italian wines in the world. Because of its beauty as well as its food and wine, this area is a popular destination for many travellers, both Italian and foreign, so much so that the English have nicknamed it Chiantishire, or Chianti County. They have moved here to live or spend their holidays, such as the English singer Sting, who bought an estate here called Tenuta il Palagio. This land is perfect for every need: it is wonderful for those looking for a romantic weekend or for those who want to spend more time in the area, discovering the relaxation, culture, food and wine that it hides. So, no more talking, find out with me all the best things to see in Chianti, let's go!!! 😉   Want to explore Chianti? Go on an 8-day trip through villages & taste!   Visiting the Chianti region The Chianti hills comprise an area of 20 km, including the provinces of Siena, Florence and a small part of Arezzo. Valdichiana and Valdarno mark the border of the