Invitation to Tuscany

Discover the Montagnola Senese on foot

Dan Wrightson — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:21:32 +0000

In this half-day walking tour Walkers meet at approx. 10.00 am at Pievescola and proceed to Simignano. After passing the ‘Cinta Senese’ pigs, the path climbs steadily up through chestnut woods and on past the yellow Sienese marble quarries before opening out with magnificent views towards Chiusdino and beyond. We walk on and up to the church at ‘Molli’ from where the duomo of Siena can be admired and then cease to climb any higher. From Molli, the path continues through the trees to the tiny hamlet of Tegoia where we propose lunch at the ‘Osteria La Montagnola’ before the descent back to Simignano through the chestnut woods.

Walking time: Approx: 3.5 – 4 hours (with time to admire the views).

Needed: Good hiking shoes

Provided: Walking sticks, lunch

Prices for Discover the Montagnola Senese
Description	Price
Per person in group of 4	€ 45 (£ 40)
Per person in group of 6	€ 40 (£ 35 )
Per person in group of 8	€ 35 (£ 30)
Per person in group of 10	€ 32 (£ 28 )

16 years with Invitation to Tuscany

Dan Wrightson — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:42:26 +0000

16th of July

This is our sixteenth year of holidaying in Liguria and here we have found a paradise to enjoy the earthly pleasures: eating, drinking, rading, swimming and walking. A marvellous fortnight, many many thanks. Nick, Sally and the Golden Retriever Tazzi.

Staying at Murella

Looking out toward the heated pool

Le Murella

Dan Wrightson — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:26:50 +0000

4th of June to 11th of June 2011

Le Murella is “quality” well equipped; an interesting house with lovely grounds and a bonus of a heated pool. Margot e Ottavio thannk you so much for being the friendly hosts where nothing was too much for you. A great place for touring but were sorely tempted to just chill by the pool and feel time stood still. Fantastic local restaruants as recommended in the house notes. We found another restaurant called “La Lanterna” in Riomaggiore – exquisite fish menu.
We would love to come back.
Martyn and Carolyn

A lovely comment for Le Murella.

Our 2012 Brochure also available on the iPad

Dan Wrightson — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:34:43 +0000

We have teamed up with Issuu to publish our beautiful brochure online as well as in the real world. You can now look through the brochure on your computer, or even on your iPad,iPod, iPhone or Android equivalent… have a look here: “2012 Brochure“.

Visit the Stately houses of Lucca

Dan Wrightson — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:33:09 +0000

In the hills outside Lucca many villas, such as Villa Mansi, Villa Torrigiani and Villa Reale, are now open to the public. They have magnificent gardens, rococo facades and famous guest lists from an era when visitors like Paganini, John Singer Sargent and Metternich were richly received. The following website has a great map to help you find the Villas, and contacts for opening times: Ville e Palazzi Lucchesi.

The Puccini Opera Festival

Dan Wrightson — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:43:47 +0000

The 56th annual Puccini Festival will feature La Boheme, Tosca, La Traviata and Madame Butterfly in late July and in August 2012. Performed in an open-air theatre in a park in Torre del Lago near the home of the famous composer. See this website for ticket information.

Turandot at the Festival - Photo by Aldo Umicini

Fireworks and music in Pisa

Dan Wrightson — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:39:56 +0000

La Luminaria di San Ranieri
On 16 June, one the eve of the celebration of its patron saint, Pisa is illuminated in a festival of lights. With thousands of candles hung on bridges, river banks, the facades of its ancient buildings and fireworks exploding in the night sky, the atmosphere is simply magical.

Luminaria di San Ranieri

Weird and wonderful mushroom feast in Pievescola

Dan Wrightson — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:16:54 +0000

In the first 2 weeks of September Pievescola organizes a favourite local event, the Sagra del Fungo, or rather a culinary celebration dedicated to the wonderful Porcini mushroom found in the area. Dancing, local and wine and mushrooms in more ways you can imagine. As a joyous and bizarre extra, there is a statue to the wonderful cep mushroom in the main square!

"The mushroom in love" - the tribute to Porcini mushrooms that the world had been waiting for!

The castle in the forest

Dan Wrightson — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:07:00 +0000

La Rocca di Sillano is an ancient fortified castle in the wild and forested hills of Berignone. This mighty fortress on a hill overlooking an area including Siena, Pisa and Grosseto once controlled the valley of the Cecina river. After years of renovation it is now open for visitors intrigued by the area’s defensive past and this beautiful example of military architecture. The valley below has the remains of an old copper mine, while Montecastelli, on a neighbouring peak, is a charming village.

The Rocca di Sillano in the forested hills of Berignone

The local Palio at Casole d’Elsa

Dan Wrightson — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:02:53 +0000

On the 2nd Sunday of July jockeys mount their horses for Casole d’Elsa Palio bareback horse race up the hillside leading to the village. In each of the six contrade, or town quarters, celebrations spill into the streets, so come along and join the party. Local villages all participate and there is dancing, eating and drinking over the weekend.

Horse racing at Casole d'Elsa