Tag: Tuscany tours

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.

One of my favorite days out Lucca, and sure fire hit with visitors is a trip up the Versilian coast to Lerici.
There can be few more spectacularly beautiful places even in a country with so many. Lerici and its neighbour San Terenzo nestle in two sheltered little bays within the grander Gulf of La Spezia. Across the water lies Portovenere, and the islands of Palmaria and Tino, guarding the entrance to the Cinque Terre.
Although reached by an easy hal-hour drive up the autostrada (freeway) from Lucca, Lerici actually lies over the border from Tuscany in Liguria. The area was the ancient Etruscan region of Lunigiana, and there have been settlements here since three centuries BC. In the best tradition of these parts, Lunigiana was fought over for centuries by Lucca, Genvoa and even Parma. When the Boundaries of modern Italy were drawn, mosto f Lunigiana was included in Tuscany, but Sarzana and Lerici fell within Liguria.
So what is so special about Lerici? The view and setting i have already mentioned. A hint of its dramatic history is supplied by the castle sitting on the promontori, presumably in the past look out for unfriendly arrivals by sea, but nowdays gazing benignly over the fish market and the well- filled yacht marina below.
A large modern car park ( free on week-days) lies on the hillside between Lerici and San Terenzo, in other words perfectly placed for both pre and post lunch walks along the elegant “lungomare” walkway. Both town have narrow sea front buildings painted in beguiling pastel colours, and you’ll even see the “trompe l’oeil” fake windows and cornices painted on the building sto let you know you’re in Liguria.

Piombino town (Livorno) is from where set out the ferryboats to the Island of Elba.
With a distance of 10 km from the continent and a size of 224 qkm Elba is the biggest island of the Tuscan Archipelago and actually the third-biggest of Italy. For many years now big parts of the Elba Island and of the other islands of the Tuscan Archipelago (Pianosa, Capraia, Montecristo, Giglio and Giannutri) are protected in the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago
The climate is always mild with a middle annual temperature of ca. 16°; the medium in the winter is about 10° degrees, 14° in spring, 23° degrees in summer and 17° degree in autumn. The medium water-temperature of April is always about 19° degrees, 20° in May, June about 24°, 26,8° degrees in July, in August 27,3°, September 25,5° degrees and October 23,1° degrees.
The variety of the cost – altogether we have here a costlenght of 147 km – will satisfy every taste You can find wonderful sand- stone- or gravelbeaches, some are also hidden and can be developed only by boat. But even in the high season you will always find places, which are far away from the usual tourism.
There are more than 70 beaches on the coastlines of the island, some very peaceful, others more crowded, but all of them will, without doubt, offer you a splendid sun tan and a refreshing plunge into the blue waters of the ocean.
We have listed some of them, but it will certainly be a lot of fun to discover all the others by yourself.
The Island of Elba is the ideal location for sports enthusiasts and those seeking an active holiday. It offers the perfect combination: nature, sea and sport.

Barga is the most elegant urban centre of the Serchio Valley. The new part is mostly made up of nice villas, often in liberty style.
The  historical centre conserves intact the medieval urban street plan and has some austere renaissance buildings.
The romanesque cathedral on the op of the hill is beautiful and looks into the Serchio Valley.