If you are looking forward to the blooming of spring and a great vacation in Tuscany then you should probably consider booking one of our villas with pools in Lucca for this March and heading to Capannori, a town and commune in the province of Lucca that is known as the Village of Camellias. Already an exceptionally charming town of winding lanes, pretty little squares, and gorgeous local houses, it is made lovelier still each year in March and October, when it goes into full bloom...
All through the villages of Pieve and Sant'Andrea di Compito and right across the valley in which Capannori is located, there are camellia trees that explode into thousands of blooms each spring, adding colour and wonder to this corner of the lush Tuscan landscape. The entire area is transformed into one large garden and hosts a rich and diverse calendar of special events for locals and visitors to the area to enjoy each year for the duration of the Antiche Camelie della Lucchesia exhibition. Find your vacation rental in Lucca and come join in on all of the fun and experience the incredible beauty of this special event for yourself!
Guided tours are offered through the area and there are various talks, plant sales, exhibitions, and more. Camellia enthusiasts can also visit various gorgeous historic homes that are open to the public normally but at discounted rates throughout the festival and see their examples of centuries-old camellia trees as well as the architectural gems themselves.
Another exciting attraction is the opportunity to sample tea at Italy’s only tea plantation, the Antica Chiusa Borrini tea plantation. This incredible place was created when Guido Cattolica brought the Camellia Sinensis L., a tea plant, to the area and then used his mastery and knowledge to make it resistant to even the cold winters that this region can experience. As with the visits to the historic homes, this is something that you can enjoy all throughout the year but during the Camellia exhibition, it is not necessary to book your trip in advance, whereas an appointment is necessary at other times.
Of course, a tour of the camellias of this part of the world would not be complete without a visit to the Camelieto Natural Park, a project that has come to fruition in recent years and a spot where you can see more than a whopping 500 different species of camellias all in one place.
The full calendar of events for this year has yet to be announced but there is sure to be another diverse and interesting array of things to see, do, sample, and purchase for the 2025 edition as well. With more than 35 years of editions, this is now a well-oiled machine and a key fixture of the local calendar. Furthermore, the spring session has been expanded successfully with the addition of the Mostra delle Camelie d'Autunno (Fall Camellia Exhibition) in recent years. Dedicated to the sesanqua and sinensis varieties that bloom at this time of the year, it gives those who might like to admire the flowers and this magical part of the world when staying in a villa in Lucca a wider option of dates for planning a vacation in Tuscany.
So, whether you are thinking of heading in March for a spring break in Tuscany or considering a cosy autumnal getaway in October, Capannori really is a blooming lovely spot for your next vacation!
