Archive for 'Curiosities'

  

Chianciano Terme can trace its origins to the 5th century BC, when the Etruscans arrived and built a temple that was dedicated to the god of Good Health, close to the Silene springs. Those springs and the waters of Chianciano have been a tourist destination and an attraction for their medicinal properties since Roman times and Horace himself is known to have bathed in and imbibed the waters.

Chianciano continued to both draw visitors and function as a regular town over the centuries but, in the 20th century, the springs specifically attracted the attention of developers and neoclassical buildings and facilities were built in the 20s and 30s. In the 40s, the then Fascist-controlled state took possession and destroyed and replaced these, drawing up a new plan under architects Loreti and Marchi. This plan was adjusted by the Town Technical Office of Chianciano in 1958 and eventually passed in 1961 and, today, there is the Old Town and New Town where the thermal spring spas were designed.     Read More

  

Piaggio Boss
If you have a fondness for mopeds, motorcycles and Italian engineering and you are looking to find a luxury villa in Pisa, be sure to set aside time to take a half hour drive out to Pontedera and visit the Piaggio Museum. With free entry and lots of fascinating things to see, it is a perfect addition to a vacation in the area!

The Piaggio Museum was inaugurated in March 2000 at the Piaggio Headquarters in Pontedera, in the tooling department of the ancient factory. Created to preserve the history of, and celebrate, one of the oldest Italian brands, it exhibits various models of vehicles released over the years. Alongside this is documentation from the Piaggio Historical Archive, which has sketches, drawings and advertising campaigns from the 1930s to the present day. Charting the brand's pre-war progress from aeronautical and rail production to the development of the Vespa to the rich variety of incredible motorcycles from over the decades.     Read More

  

Chocolate
Amedei is a luxury brand of chocolate that many have never heard of and, less still, are aware hails from Tuscany. Yet, it is a delicious chocolate brand and a part of the varied culinary landscape that has made the region so very famous among foodies the world over. It is pricy and fine and requires an attentive palate but has been labelled the best chocolate in the world and constantly wins prizes.

If you are serious about your food, discerning about your chocolate and have found a luxury villa in Pisa, be sure to plan to take a day trip and drive out to the factory, which is located close to La Rotta in Pontedera, a half hour from the city.     Read More

  

Pontremoli
If you are a fan of small towns off the beaten tourist track, hidden gems and endless surprises, Tuscany is the perfect town for you. It is full of charming, little-known towns that are authentic, peaceful and exceptionally pretty. Just find a villa rental in Tuscany and begin discovering its endless charms for yourself!

One of these lovely little towns is Pontremoli, one of the main villages of Lunigiana, located at the bottom of Tosco Emiliano Apennines. In the lush and wild part of northern Tuscany, it is far from queues, tacky souvenirs and the regular itineraries. Boasting a stunning natural setting, pretty town, rich history and culinary tradition, and a slow pace of life, it is an excellent place to spend a day soaking up the atmosphere of daily life in a real Tuscan town.     Read More

  

Certaldo Funicular
Certaldo Alto is a pretty little medieval town in the Tuscan countryside, perched on a hillside between Florence and Pisa. With old walls, cobbled streets and amazing views over the surrounding scenery, it is a truly beautiful and picturesque place, full of the charm of times gone by. This is only heightened by the presence of the Certaldo Funicular, a funicular railway that links Certaldo Basso to Certaldo Alto, the older and newer parts of the town. Along the way, it offers excellent views over the new town and the surrounding area.     Read More