Lucca 875

The lands of Tuscany, particularly around Florence, Pisa, and Lucca, were highly contested and fought over by various rulers and factions in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. As a result, many fortified structures remain dotted throughout the already picturesque landscape of the region, making it all the more charming and magical. There are, of course, some that are prettier or better-preserved than others and one of the best and most charming examples of all has to be the lovely Fortezza di Montecarlo, or Montecarlo Fortress, built in four phases between the 12th and 16th centuries and located in a highly desirable strategic position between the valleys of Lucca and Valdinievole. If you have found a villa with pool in Lucca and you are looking to visit one of Tuscany's most magical fairytale castles, then this is an excellent option!

Close to the cities of Florence and Lucca is the stunning hilltop town of Montecarlo. This small Tuscan settlement was founded in 1333 by Charles V, a Roman Emperor and was named after him by the townspeople; Monte Carlo means ‘Hill of Charles’.

Tourists would welcome a few peaceful days here in one of many gorgeous rental accommodation available in the picturesque Montecarlo area. If you’re a wine expert or just a lover, you’d certainly enjoy an exploration of the town and its surrounding vineyard farms as Montecarlo is especially famous for its wines!

In our last post, we discussed the beautiful Medieval Tuscan town of Collodi and its connection to the creation and tales of beloved character Pinocchio. The biggest attraction in the town is a theme park dedicated to the famous puppet, Pinocchio Park, which is a real highlight of the region for children and adults alike and a great day out.

However, despite the town being relatively small and unheard of, it actually has a couple more attractions that will keep everyone in the group happy and provide a nice break from trips to museums and churches for kids exploring Tuscany and her culture and history. Once you have found a luxury villa in Collodi, these are a few of the things that you will want to check out in the town.

The Tuscan town of Collodi, not far from Florence, is most famous as the place where the beloved children's character Pinocchio was created by author Carlo Collodi and featured in the 1883 book, “The Adventures of Pinocchio”. Propelled into fame on a global scale when the story was made into an animated classic by Disney in 1940, Pinocchio became an integral figure in the lives of many children throughout the world. Those who are particularly fond of the puppet who learned how to become a boy and his story and who have found a luxury villa in Collodi (or who have found a luxury villa in Florence and are planning a day trip to the area) will, no doubt, be sure to plan a trip to the theme park dedicated to character, Pinocchio Park. Throughout the town, too, you will find lots of different tributes to the story and plenty of souvenirs on sale from the massive statue of the puppet visible all over town to the little Pinocchio figures sold all over. However, if you are not merely interested in Pinocchio, you will find that the charming little town of Collodi actually has more to offer visitors beyond the park with its rides and whimsy, it is also home to the exceptional Garzoni Gardens and the Butterfly House, which are located just a few minutes away on foot.

If you’re passing through the cosy little town of Collodi in Pistoia province during your next vacation in Tuscany then you should certainly spend a few hours walking around the splendid Garzoni Gardens. Designed in 1652, the Garzoni gardens are a beautifully sculpted landscape that extends outwards from the grand Villa Garzoni.

The layout is nearly exactly the same today as it was back then. Tourists wishing to spend a few days in the area to explore them and other tourist attractions have a fine selection of beautiful villa rentals in Pescia, less than six kilometres away from the gardens.

The stunning Renaissance style geometry of the Garzoni Gardens with a hint of Baroque styling are truly magnificent to behold! There’s a fragrant array of flora and fauna that are growing throughout and pruned to perfection. Stroll around the winding paths and admire the awe inspiring sculptures and exquisite water fountains.