Visiting Chianti, Tuscany

Dear Friend

Today I want to talk about the medieval Montefioralle Borgo, a wonderful town located in the heart of Chianti (between Siena and Florence).

 Montefioralle is probably one of the oldest towns in the area, as it is referenced in documents dating from 1000 AD, which speak of the ruling families who were probably from Lombardo.

The village, like most walls and castles of the time, was built on the highest hill in the area and offers visitors breathtaking views of the beautiful hills of Chianti.

 This village is one of my favourites in the area with its unique geographical location and the pretty streets. A walk through Montefioralle is like travelling back in time.

Its medieval streets adorned with flowers are so relaxing, especially delightful in the spring.

Near the village of Montefioralle, there are also many bars which produce excellent wine. In fact the Chianti area, where Montefioralle is located, is considered one of the best areas for wine production in Tuscany.

During my last visit, my friends and I participated in a great wine tasting at a bar called Montefioralle, eponymous with the village you can see here on the blog.

I hope as always that this information will be useful.

Best wishes

Giorgio

Exploring Cinque Terre in Tuscany

Dear Friends

Tuscany is an extremely popular holiday destination and after several emails asking me for advice about the area I am writing with some helpful hints. The area that borders Tuscany is called Liguria and is home to Cinque Terre a rugged Italian coastline which is a pleasure to visit.

The main decision to make is how to travel to and around Cinque Terre, whether you choose to use public transport or hire a car or a scooter you can be sure of beautiful scenery. If you decide to use public transport then the train service from Pisa to Spezia takes about an hour or so, you can check the schedules at the website below:
http://www.trenitalia.com/

 If you decide to hire a car then you can drive directly to La Spezia, where you can take the boat along the coast and discover the sights of the different villages that punctuate the scenery. Arriving by ferry is spectacular and you can check departure times at the link below
http://www.navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it/

 I would highly recommend hiring a car and enjoying the scenic drive through the coastal villages as it gives you a great way of experiencing Italian beauty. The Ferry runs along the coast so guests can visit all the villages. I also would like to recommend the town of Portofino which requires a little further travelling but is very rewarding. If you disembark at Monterosso al Mare, which is the last stop on the ferry trip, then you can take the local train to Santa Margherita Ligure which is about a 45 -50 minute journey on the train. Once you arrive there you can take a local bus to Portofino.


The bus route is just one block from the train station and takes a couple of hours. In addition to the ferryboat tour of Cinque Terre there is also the public train service, as mentioned above the main station is La Spezia, and the villages of Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore all have connections to it, so you can also discover the beauty of the area from the comfort of the train.



For those who plan to spend several days in Tuscany a day spent at Cinque Terre is a must. I recommend visiting in the first few days of the trip and allocating the whole day to this wondrous place.

 As always I hope this information will be helpful.

 Kind regards Giorgio

Tuscany in Spring: the hidden gems

Dear Friends,

Spring is nearing its peak and in my opinion, the month of May is the best time of the year to visit Tuscany. The days are long, the temperature is perfect and the colors of countryside are stunning.

As a result, I'd like to recommend the 3 places that I think offer the best view at this time of year.


La Foce (Val'Orcia)
La Foce is just a few kilometres from Montepulciano and it´s where the Origo Family (famous nobles of the region) has a luxurious villa. From La Foce, you can take in the best views of the Val'Orcia and also one of the most popular images of Tuscany: the photo of the cypresses that continues to be published.

Crete Senesi (Sur de Siena)
To the south of the province of Siena, I advise driving along the road that leads to Asciano after exiting the Siena-Bettolle motorway at Taverne d'Arbia. This stretch of road is one of the most spectacular in Tuscany. This particular part of the countryside is called Crete Lunari (due to its similarity to the surface of the moon). During this period of the year, it is simply breathtaking. The cultivated wheat fields are full of poppies and multi-coloured flowers.

Tenuta le Capezzine (Chiana Valley)
In the Avignonesi family's Tenuta le Capezzine, not only can you enjoy one of the finest wines of Tuscany, you can revel in the incredible views of the best part of the Chiana Valley. From Tenuta, there is a spectacular view of Cortona and its rolling hills. As with La Foce and Crete Senesi, you will enjoy a truly idyllic landscape that is dominated by a huge variety of flowers including poppies.

Piazzale Michelangelo (Florence)
If you make a trip to the capital of Tuscany, visiting the Piazzale Michelangelo is a must. Due to the fact that it isn't too far from the city, you can get there by taxi, or even on foot if you are feeling courageous. From Piazzale Michelangelo, you can enjoy a view of Florence that makes the front of many a postcard.


Kind regards,

Giorgio

Touring Tuscany on a Vespa

Is there anyone who hasn´t heard about the mythical Vespa? The little scooter from manufacturers Piaggio has been one of the symbols of Italy for over 50 years.

So friends, for those who enjoy motorbike trips, travelling around Tuscany on a Vespa can be an unforgettable experience.

In the majority of Tuscan towns, it is possible to rent one of these famous scooters. Furthermore, it is often possible to enjoy guided tours through the rolling hills of this beautiful part of the world.

As you tour the gentle, winding roads of Tuscany on a Vespa the wind will tickle your skin and the smells of nature will overwhelm you.

Have I persuaded you?

If you fancy going on a trip like this, check out the useful links that I have posted below:

Chianti Scooter Hire: http://www.tuscanyscooterrental.com/index.php/en/

Lucca Scooter Hire: http://www.scootertuscany.com/

Florence Scooter Hire: http://www.tuscanyvesparental.com/

Tuscany Scooter Hire: http://extras.yourtuscanvilla.com/vespa_tour_tuscany.htm

I hope that this article has been useful for you!

Kind regards,

Giorgio 

Recommendations for a summer in Tuscany

Dear Friends,

Many of you will be thinking about where you are going to go on holiday this summer.

For this reason, I wanted to talk about two letters I received from readers, who asked me to share their experiences with accommodation in Tuscany on the blog.

Villa Vignacce

The first letter is from Caroline S, who stayed at Villa Vignacce in the summer of 2012, a house that we have frequently talked about on the blog before.

¨Hello Giorgio! Thanks to your advice we had a perfect week in Tuscany, and above all Villa Vignacce was a revelation, a little piece of heaven that we will certainly return to as soon as possible.

We enjoyed a week in the Camino apartment. It is on the first floor of the building, and everything from the decoration to the structure of the apartment is in typical Tuscan style.

The hospitality of Annalicia, the owner of the property, was simply phenomenal. She offered us a really beautiful house in an authentic and historic estate, in which attention had been paid to every single detail: soft bedding and towels, a fully-equipped kitchen, original, old-fashioned furniture, completely refurbished bathrooms and a well-stocked library.

Furthermore, the gardens were very beautiful and perfectly maintained. The swimming pool gave incredible views of the mountains and being there was like enjoying a haven of peace. The colourful rose garden and the orchard are the icing on the cake and make the estate truly unique. The location is ideal for discovering Siena, Asis, Cortona, Montepulciano, Pienza or San Quirco d´Orcia, as well as the other beautiful places nearby. We will go back again, without doubt, and I would sincerely recommend it to other travellers!¨

I would also like to publish the recommendation that José Manuel P gave.

Podere Galilea

¨In July 2012 I went on holiday to Tuscany with eight friends. We enjoyed the lovely towns, the delicious food, the tremendously hospitable people and the perfect climate. Anyway, I would like to highlight that the best memory that has stayed with us is the accommodation we chose. We had reserved an agrotourism place called Podere Galilea. It´s set amongst vineyards, and there are apartments and individual rooms. The owners are Florio and Marta, a charming couple who went out of their way to make sure our stay became an unforgettable memory. The breakfast is 100% homemade, and amongst other delicacies it includes tarts and cakes made by Marta, cold meats from the region, coffee and fresh fruit. Furthermore, two times a week they prepare dinner for the guests who would like it, and although you pay for it separately it really is worth it. Marta makes pizza and pasta (be sure to watch how she makes it!) and Florio takes care of the barbecue, while explaining funny local quirks to you. In the area around the house, there are lots of restaurants, and Marta and Florio will be happy to recommend the best ones to you!

The swimming pool in the vineyards is fantastic! Although the owners aren´t on the estate for the whole today, they give you the keys to get in and out when you like.

We used the place as a kind of headquarters from which we could travel around all of Tuscany and I just wanted to recommend it to everyone who follows this blog because the experience was so perfect in every aspect.¨

To finish I hope that this information will be helpful for all of you who are planning a holiday in Tuscany!

Kind regards,

Giorgio

Vivacious Versilia

The Versilia

Versilia is a beautiful and rich area of ​​Tuscany, where green fields and mountains mix with the crystal blue Mediterranean Sea.

A journey through Versilia in northern Tuscany is highly recommended if you want to experience every corner of the beautiful land.

Getting to Versilia

Versilia is an area located in the northwestern part of Tuscany that is part of the province of Lucca and coastal towns: Forte dei Marmi, Pietrasanta, Viareggio and the following mountain villages: Massarosa, Camaiore, Seravezza and Stazzema. All well worth a visit.

The nearest airport is Pisa (located about 45 km from Forte dei Marmi), while for those traveling by train the nearest stations are Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi and Pietrasanta.

Sights

The territory of Versilia is surrounded by the Apuan Alps (parallel to the coast) and the Ligurian Sea, creating magnificent scenery which will dazzle.

The Versilia is considered one of the best coastal areas of Italy and is the meeting point of Italian and international celebrities, stretching from Bocca di Magra to Arno the many beaches offer every comfort, as well as a fairly wide range of local nightlife.

When visiting the Versilia it is also recommended to visit Lake Massaciuccoli (in the town of Massarosa) which is rich in Mediterranean flora and fauna. On the shores of this lake the famous composer Giacomo Puccini lived, and the town was renamed in his honor Torre del Lago Puccini.


Forte dei Marmi

This city is undoubtedly the best known in Versilia and takes its name from a fort built in the centre of the city in 1700, as well as the world famous Carrara marble for its incredible quality extracted a few km from the city.

Since late 1800, Forte dei Marmi became one of the summer holiday destinations most requested by the aristocracy. In fact, beach tourism is the most important activity in the city (there are about 100 beaches, called "bath", and many old villas of celebrities such as Villa Agnelli, which today has been transformed into a hotel).

Forte dei Marmi has much to offer to shoppers as the city has a variety of high-fashion boutiques. Fiacchini on Via Carducci is a must stop on any shoppers list with many famous names waiting to be purchased.


Viareggio

Viareggio is also very well known for its spas, and for its carnival, which is considered the most important in Italy.

This festival attracts thousands of people during February, fascinated by their colourful parades.

The most characteristic of the town is the promenade, where there are numerous art-deco buildings and and art nouveau, most of which are luxury hotels.

Viareggio also boasts many beaches and summer comes alive, especially thanks to the various events that take place in the city (as the Puccini Festival Theatre Festival-Song Giorgio Gaber). The city also has large parks running parallel to the coast, making it an ideal place for beach lovers and those who prefer the pleasant shade of the forest.


Nightlife


One cannot speak of Versilia without mentioning its intense nightlife, the Versilia is full of nightclubs, bars, restaurants of all types and levels (from the famous Twiga Flavio Briatore to "The Shed" in Forte dei Marmi and "La Bussola" in Marina di Pietrasanta. Or head in to Lucca and try Buena Vida and La Canniccia to have a truly remarkable night out.


As always I hope this information has aroused the curiosity and desire to travel to Versilia!

Pisa in one Day

Pisa is a jewel of Tuscany and one made famous to many foreign travellers for its Leaning Tower, however this beautiful city has much more to offer the traveller than a classic tourist destination, whether it is getting lost in the many wondrous streets or taking in the magnificent history.
Whether you arrive by plane (Pisa´s airport is the biggest in Tuscany) or train, the centrally located railway station is a perfect starting point to begin your travels around the city centre of Pisa.
Taking the train station as a starting point we follow the Viale Gramsci until we arrive at Corso Italia; the renowned shopping street in Pisa.  Visitors can enjoy browsing or shopping for stylish Italian fashion, or sit down, relax and have a coffee in one of the many cafes; delight in the atmosphere and hussle and bussle on one of Pisa´s busy streets.

Once refreshed visitors can continue down Corso Italia until they get to Ponte di Mezzo on the river Arno; one of the emblematic places in the city, made famous for the annual festival (which takes place on the last Saturday in June) where the two neighbourhoods divided by the river Arno compete in a tournament. The tradition la Batalla del Puente started in the 1200 AD and involves rival teams pushing a long cart while trying to get on the bridge.

After crossing the bridge continue along Borgo Stretto, another street well known for its wide variety of couture shops and stylish bars: which as you can guess from its name, is a medieval alley with arcades and narrow streets, perfect for walking browsing and window shopping. At the end of Borgo Stretto turn left on Via Dini, to reach the beautiful Piazza dei Cavalieri.

This square was the ancient centre of the city, and is now home ancient artifacts with a wonderful historical value and interest: besides the Knights Palace, home of the Scuola Normale Superiore (one of the most prestigious universities in Italy) in the square there is also the Palazzo dell'Orologio which is linked to a curious legend: The Palazzo was built on the remains of the "Tower of Fame" (tower of hunger) famous as being the place of imprisonment of Count Ugolino della Gherardesca. As narrated by the "Divine Comedy", Count Ugolino was imprisoned in the Tower where he starved himself to death with his children and grandchildren, and near the end of his agony, children begged him to eat them and the Count, and the crazy prisoner, fed on their descendants.
Passing under the arch of the Palazzo dell'Orologio, turn right on Via Santa Maria, home to several universities, and then down to the very famous Piazza dei Miracoli.

Piazza dei Miracoli
This complex momument includes the Duomo (the door that connects many of decorative elements including a lizard, is considered by all the "Pisan" the charm of the city and is also thought to bring good luck to those who touch it), the impressive baptistery, the monumental cemetery and the famous Tower of Pisa, which owes its notorious inclination to land subsidence occurred during the start of construction.

Santa Maria della Spina
To conclude your daytrip you can go walk back along Via Santa Maria and you will be heading back towards the Arno, from the other side of the river you can admire the unique profile of the church of Santa Maria della Spina, the origin of the name is due to fact that in ancient church retained a thorn believed to have belonged to the crown of Christ.

We walked back along the banks of the Arno towards the Ponte di Mezzo, but just before the bridge turn left into Via San Frediano, then pass the Law School, where you will find the Piazza Dante , one of the favourite venues of college students for its bars and benches in the shade. This place is the ideal spot to get lost in the narrow streets of the medieval town, with plenty of restaurants and shops offering typical Tuscan cuisine; while The Piazza delle Vettovaglie, which hosts a popular fruit and veg market in the day transforms into a wondrous sight at night, and it has to be seen to be believed!!

Biking in Tuscany

Dear Friends,

Surely many of you are already enjoying their summer holidays somewhere in the sun, some of you may even be in Tuscany right now.

For those of you that are, may I suggest a bicycle tour through Tuscany to discover the beauty this region has to offer? Experienced riders tell us that such a trip will let you experience the countryside in a much more enjoyable way as it unrolls in slow motion before you.

Tuscany is a region full of agriculture and therefore full of many dirt roads and beautfigul hills that can be easily scaled on a bike.

If you are staying at a Bed&Breakfast or at a countryside hotel, your hosts will be able to assist you in finding a bike. If you are staying in a city, there are always bicycle rental shops that can be found on the internet.

To find the best bike roads in your area we highly recommend this fantastic website: http://www.piste-ciclabili.com/regione-toscana

Another option is of course just asking the people that live in the region about the best tracks and routes in the area. Locals always know best.

I hope this article will be helpful to you and that your holidays will lead to many happy memories!

Kind regards,
Giorgio

Palio of Siena

Dear Friends,

The Palio di Siena is a huge horse racing competition between the 17 districts of Siena. 8 of the districts that are selected by chance participate in an exciting horse race on the Piazza del Campo that lasts for only 90 seconds of pure adrenaline and excitement.

This festival has its origins in the Siena of Roman times and is repeated twice yearly on July 2nd and August 16th. Just prior and on these days the city of Siena and its “Sienesi” (the inhabitants of Siena) are bustling with excitement as they prepare for the famous race and the huge celebration.

Every person born in the city is by tradition assigned to one of the “Contrade” (the discticts). Most of the time, if the father is known to be of a certain neighborhood, his child will be given the same honor. Therefore, from the day of its christening, the child becomes an integral part of these small communities that tend to stick together and support eachother throughout life. Sieneses consider their contrada an extension of their family. They hold parties, take part in activities and form strong friendships together.

The neighborhoods compete with each other, and each one usually has at least onr or two rival ones. Adjacent contrade tend to have the most heated rivalries which often lead to small confrontations between these neighborhoods prior to the days of the Palio. While the focus is usually on the rivalries, there are often also collaborations between allies to ensure a victory in the 90 second race.

The Palio itself is more than a simple race, it is a party that gives almost every living Sienese a reason to visit the city, to enjoy the festivities at the Piazza del Campo and to stand tall and support his hometown contrada.

Attendance is free, however the view from the Piazza can be very bad and very uncomfortable in the stifling heat. Locals sell space on steps or adjacent platforms at a price of 400 to 1000 Euros, which can often be worth every cent as the turbulence of the stunning race rushes by the immense crowd.

We hope that this article will be helpful to you on your future travels and, should you decide on going to Siena, you will experience days that will provide you with some of the best memories of the summer.

Kind regards,

Giorgio

Party in Tuscany

Dear Friends,

Last Saturday I had the priviledge to participate in a “pagan” party that took place in the hills close to Montepulciano. During this party, which a friend had invited me to, people celebrate the day of the wheat harvest. All in all, it was a simple party, yet typically Tuscan as all people who had helped out throughtout the day celebrated the fruits of the bountiful harvest.

In a lot of places the harvest day is a beloved tradition, but here in Tuscany it is truly a feast!

After a hard day's work, men and women come together to cook regional dishes and to celebrate the overnight harvest with great food and wine as well as dance and song.

Here are some of the photos of this great night, I hope you will enjoy these pictures of our celebration of this beautiful Tuscan tradition.

Kind regards,

Giorgio

The Islands of Giglio and Gorgona

Dear Friends,

The summer has arrived and with it the desire to enjoy the beach, the sun and a dip in the sea. That is why today I am going to write about Giglio and Gorgona, two of the most beautiful islands in the archipelago of Tuscany.

The island Giglio is accessible by a ferry that leaves the port of Santo Stefano at almost every hour of every day of the week. During the summer there are even more frequent connections to satisfy the tourists’ demand.

Giglio, unlike many of the other Mediterranean islands, retains its glory as a protected area. Marine life thrives here as the law keeps the waters from becoming contaminated.

One of the best protected zones, where one can also go for a swim, is the neighboring island of Gorgona.

Giglio has 4 beaches, Coldone beach, Cornelle beach, Campese beach and Arenelle beach, each more beautiful than the next. Should you be travelling with children I advise you to visit the Cornelle beach as it is the largest sand beach in the region while the others tend to be quite rocky.

 The old town on the island with its medieval walls and intriguing style is also well worth a visit if you find the time in between sunbathing and dips in the ocean.

A timetable of the ferry:
http://www.giglioinfo.it/isola_del_giglio/giglio_traghetti_orario.html
A collection of pictures of Giglio:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79527291@N07/

Also, here’s an interesting video on Youtube that provides a small overview of what is going on on the island.

As always I hope that our informational blogposts help you plan and guide you through your vacation in Tuscany.
Kind regards,
George