Tuscany is the perfect place, whether you are looking for a relaxing vacation far from the crowd, or a more active and adventurous one. If you love visiting art cities and museums, or if you love outdoor activities such as mountain biking, horse riding, trekking, walking, hiking; you’ll be surprised from the many beautiful things you could see and do. And the countless food and wine festivals will make everything even more special.
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 »
