Category: Tours

San Quirico d’Orcia is a comune in the Province of Siena in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 80 km southeast of Florence and about 35 km southeast of Siena inside the Valdorcia landscape. It is named in honor of Saint Quiricus.
Located in a strategic position along the Via Cassia (and the old Via Francigena), San Quirico d’Orcia was often the residence of imperial bailiffs.
In its town centre, encircled by fortified walls, a stop should be made at the Collegiata dei Santi Quirico e Giulitta with its magnificent Romanesque-Gothic doorways as well as at the Misericordia and Santa Maria di Vitaleta churches, at the Palazzo Pretorio (town hall) and at Palazzo Chigi.
The Horti Leonini gardens are a splendid example of giardini all’italiana: they were designed in about 1540 by Diomede Leoni and periodically host temporary exhibits of contemporary sculpture.
A final stop should be made to admire the Santa Maria Assunta church, the Giardino delle Rose (rose garden) and the centuries-old Scala hospital.

Pisa is a city in Tuscany, central Italy, on the right bank of the mouth of the Arno River on the Ligurian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Pisa. Although Pisa is known worldwide for its Leaning Tower, bell tower of the cathedral, the city of over 87,500 residents contains more than 20 other historic churches, several palaces, and various bridges across the Arno River.
The Pelasgi, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Ligurians have variously been proposed as founders of the city. Archeological remains from the 5th century BC confirmed the existence of a city at the sea, trading with Greeks and Gauls. The presence of an Etruscan necropolis, discovered during excavations in the Arena Garibaldi in 1991, allowed to clarify its Etruscan origins.
Pisa is first of all famous for its artistic and architectural treasures. However, it is often associated only with the Leaning Tower and therefore, underrated.
On the contrary, Pisa is a city of great history and of an enormous artistic wealth: it is much more than its famous tower.
Of course, the Field of Miracles, with the Duomo, the Baptistry, the Monumental Cemetery and the Tower are definitely a must see.
The Museum of the Duomo and the Museum of the Sinopie preserve incredible treasures.

The Cinque Terre represent one of the best preserved natural and semi-natural areas of the Mediterranean. Historical and geomorphologic reasons have forbidden excessive housing development and the creation of major roadways (which instead are present inland in the Val di Vara). Human activity and especially viticulture, have contributed to create a unique landscape in which development of the typical stone walls is so extensive as to equal that of the famous Great Wall of China. All this, combined with the characteristics of a crystal clear sea, of architecturally interesting locations, of a varied and extensive network of paths (one of the most enviable in the whole Mediterranean), makes the Cinque Terre an increasingly sought after location among Italian and foreign tourists. This is not so much the result of a successful promotional campaign but rather the spontaneous recognition of the uniqueness of the place, of its beauty, of the enjoyment one gets from staying in or visiting it.
A tourist’s perspective:
It’s important to remark that the Cinque Terre are not a classic touristic resort…particularly in Manarola and Corniglia everything has remained as in the past, no adjustments to the new touristic bent of these towns; local people’s life has been influenced by tourism only in marginal aspects. These are, with no doubt, the main features of the Cinque Terre: a very different dimension, so distant from the towns’s stress as from the “all inclusive paradises” where everything is carefully planned and organized.
Of course this uniqueness requires some sacrifices: difficulties in moving and parking, lack of services, tiring up and down hikes… After all the Cinque Terre aren’t suitable for everybody; not for the ones who like (and it’s a very respectable point of view indeed) exclusively a comfortable and served holiday… We don’t want to run the risk that the tourist may expect something different from reality; but we well know that who loves the Cinque Terre would’t desire them to be different from what they are!

Monterosso‘s main features are the beach and the seaside; more than the others it’s a small touristic resort with some nightlife. This different feel complements the quietness of Manarola and Corniglia. Very suggestive the ‘carruggi’ (small streets) of Monterosso Vecchio; wide spaces and some car trafic in Fegina and on the seaside.

Vernazza has been for several years the main point of attraction of Cinque Terre, together with Monterosso. The views are spectcular, from the sea as well as from the paths. The vital center of Vernazza is located in the square abutting the harbour and everything is very concentrated. Thus, the over-crowding may prove excessive for the fastidious, especially those who choose to stay the night.

Corniglia is a quiet pleasant place; just a little bit convenient to the sea, by reason of the elevated location, but on the other hand the views are spectacular from many points of it.

Manarola has to be consider the quitest of the five towns. Even in full season one can always appreciate the peacefulness of its streets and the relaxing walks on the short paths surrounding the village. A ‘must see’ is the big illuminated Nativity on the hill in front of the houses: more than 200 figures and 12.000 lamps for the biggest lighted nativity in the world! It remains ligthed from December 8th till the end of January.

Riomaggiore hosts the chief seat of Cinque Terre National Park, evidenced by an intensive promotional activity in the whole town. The upper part of the town is characterized by new modern residential quarter, whereas the ‘carruggi’ departing from the central street Via Colombo and from the marina are the most particular in Cinque Terre. Very suggestive the shot of the marina, surrounded by high tower-houses and impregnable to the ancient pirates of the Ligurian Sea. Wonderful views from the castle.