Tag: About Tuscany

Tuscany itinerary

Orrido di Botri - Little stream

Tuscany itinerary: Serchio Middle Valley

This area offers important historical centres such as Coreglia Antelminelli, known as one of the most beautiful italian “borghi” (village) with its Museo delle Statuine di Gesso (Chalk Figurine Museum), the Ghivizzano Castle, Bagni di Lucca a thermal spa town, www.termebagnidilucca.it; Ponte del Diavolo (Devil’s Bridge) at Borgo a Mozzano and the Orrido di Botri and Balzo nero Natrural Reserve.
In Colognora di Pescaglia, you can find the Museo del Castagno (Chestnut Museum) www.museodelcastagno.it and at Celle Puccini, the museum of the great musician Giacomo Puccini, where he spent his childhood holidays.
The itinerary from Pescaglia to Fabbriche di Vallico permitts you to visit some “ferriere” iron-foundrues which are still operative like the ironworks Galgani, the one at Aiola or Gragliana.
The mallets powered by water still forge the iron in the century old tradition, making agricultural tools and the “testi” (round metal flat irons), indispensable accessory to cook the famous “necci” with ricotta cheese, the “crisciolette” or the “focacce leve” simple local traditional plates.

Tuscan tours

Italian vegetables

Tuscan tour, Pistoia city.

Pistoia, the second largest city in Tuscany, is a town not to be missed. Standing between Monte Albano and the Appennines, the town is rich in Roman history. There is a strong medieval feel to the town and its reputation for murderous citizens (dating from the Guelphs) has persisted since the 13th century!
The word “pistol” is derived from the dagger originally used by Pistoiese and the ironwork tradition continues to this day.
The city is also famous for the production of embroideries and confectionary.
Here in the center of town, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, you will find the famous Pistoia fresh produce market. It is a beautiful site to behold. Trying to decide what to buy is a difficult decision  as there are so many choices.
Whatever your decision, you will be getting the best fresh food available.
Buon appetito!

Leslie Halloran
Please check out my website at: www.lihdesigns.net

Tuscan walls

Lucca walls

While you are visiting Tuscany, the fabulous medieval town of Lucca is not to be missed.
The original Tuscan walls are Lucca’s symbol ,and they still encircle the entire city today.  The walls are testimony to the historical events experienced by Lucca.   As the capital of small state,  Lucca was menaced by many outside forces.
The walls were erected between the middle of the 16th century and the middle of the 17th century in order to protect and guarantee freedom to its citizens.
The ring of the walls has an irregular route, with a length of about 4200 meters: their aggregate consists of 11 screens, 10 bastions, and a platform.
At the beginning of the 19th century, having lost any and all military value, the upper part of the walls were transformed, by the initiative of Maria Luisa di Borbone, into a public walkway enriched by the planting of hundreds of forest trees.
Today the walls have become a vast park permitting a spectacular view both on the inside town and on the surrounding landscape.
As you walk on the walls of Lucca one realizes what a remarkable feat erecting the walls was and how important freedom must have been to the citizens Lucca.

Visit also www.luccatourist.it

Tuscany day tours

Vetriano Theatre

The little Theatre of Vetriano
The Theatre of Vetriano is the smallest historic theatre in the world, holding a record in the Guinness  Book of World Records. Only about 17 square meters it is complete in every way in terms of the requirements for a theatre. Built in 1890, it has a trapezoidal plan and two rows of boxes to host plays and musicals commedies.

Informations and services:

How to get there: take the Firenze Mare highway, exit Lucca Est, direction Garfagnana, SS. Abetone to Diecimo and then follow the signs to “Teatrino di Vetriano”.

Visits: by appointment only. Please call +39 340 9724589 or +39 02 4676151 for reservation.

Rent: It is possible to rent the Theatre for conferences, shows, or as location for shooting, phone +39 0583 56891

Tickets:
Adults: euro 4,00
Children (5-10 years) euro 2,00

Teatrino di Vetriano:
Vetriano di Pescaglia LUCCA  –  info@fondoambiente.it

Restaurants in Florence

Restaurant Il Bargello

After a morning of exploring Florence one of your most tantalizing  decisions will be where to grab a bite to eat?  As you explore the various corners in Florence you will find numerous ‘Ristoranti and Pizzeria” from which to choose.  These Ristorantes are in the Piazza della Signoria.
One may enjoy delicious pizzas, pastas, salads, and sandwiches from any number of places.  All are delicious!
It is also the perfect time to relax, rest your feet, and ready yourself the afternoon’s tour.

Web-site: www.ilbargello.it