Wine Tasting in Chianti
Added on April 3rd 2012 — Chianti, Food and Wine, Restaurants
The colours of the Chianti, its hills covered by a neverending range of greens, yellow and orange and its enchanting medieval hilltop towns, castles and stone farmhouses, become magic when the sun begins to set. In order to catch the setting sunlight the tour will start in the afternoon and make its first stop at … Read more »
History and Pasta-making round Calci and Lari
Added on March 27th 2012 — Central Tuscany, Churches and Castles, Food and Wine, Restaurants
Discovering a breathtaking area around Pisa, between history, culture and gastronomy. We will walk through ancients paths of monks and soldiers and we will learn the modern touch of the ancient culinary tradition of italian pasta In the morning we will go towards the so called Valle Graziosa, a plain overlooked by the Monti Pisani, … Read more »
Chianti views are always wonderful but seeing them from the sky, with the soft and slow rythm of the wind and living, at the same time a unique experience, is an adventure you can’t miss. We fly in the early morning just after dawn. The inflation takes about 30 minutes, and the flight approximately 1 … Read more »
The Garfagnana
Added on March 21st 2012 — Active, Lucca and Pisa
In the North of Tuscany there are 2 mountain ranges that run parallel with each other and form deep and beautiful valleys. They are a less well known and fascinating area with excellent walks, great restaurants and villages high up on the slopes. The two ranges are the Apuan Alps, formed nearly entirely of white … Read more »
Cycling Tour of the Castles near Lucca
Added on March 21st 2012 — Active, Lucca and Pisa
Close to the glamourous coast of Versilia there are hidden oases of quiet and beauty: the lake of Massaciuccoli inspired Giacomo Puccini with its beauty, and it is surrounded by a green and luxuriant landscape, full of flora and fauna – a treasure trove for bird-watchers. Why not cycle through this hidden landscape and visit … Read more »
It would be difficult to find a more dramatic setting for a summer opera or concert. The roofless gothic Abbey of Saint Galgano, rich in carved capitals and rose windows offers a unique backdrop to all of the musical events taking place within its wall. The Opera Festival and world-renown musicians of the Siena’s Chigiana … Read more »
Discover the Montagnola Senese on foot
Added on January 29th 2012 — Active, Central Tuscany
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 … Read more »
Visit the Stately houses of Lucca
Added on January 21st 2012 — Churches and Castles, Lucca and Pisa
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 … Read more »
The Puccini Opera Festival
Added on January 20th 2012 — Concerts, Events, Lucca and Pisa
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.
Fireworks and music in Pisa
Added on January 20th 2012 — Events, Lucca and Pisa
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.
Weird and wonderful mushroom feast in Pievescola
Added on January 20th 2012 — Central Tuscany, Events
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 … Read more »
The castle in the forest
Added on January 20th 2012 — Central Tuscany, Churches and Castles
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 … Read more »
