Archive for 'Day Trips'

Situated in close proximity to Florence and Arezzo, Loro Ciuffenna is a beautiful town nestled into the countryside at the foot of Mount Pratomagno. Visitors will benefit from the natural beauty that lies all around this town, including the banks of the river Arno and the unique rock formations made up of sand and clay. These are called "balze," and have provided inspiration to many artists throughout the years, including Leonardo da Vinci who would often come to this part of the Tuscan countryside to sketch and paint. The village itself seems forgotten by time, and you will feel the leisurely pace as you stroll through its winding pathways and gentle scenery. There are many small stone houses that are located in and around Loro Ciuffenna, with old bridges left over from the Middle Ages.     Read More

The small, picturesque town of San Miniato was located on the important via Francigena during medieval times, linking it with northern Europe and Rome. It was also located on the route between the Lucca-Siena and Florence-Pisa roads, giving it a wide range of influences from around Italy as well as abroad.

Yet this interesting town's history goes even further back than that, because archaeologists have found evidence that the city has been settled since the Paleolithic era, surviving through the Etruscan and Roman periods. Its long history of settlement may be due in part to its strategic location, on top of three small hills in the province of Pisa, Tuscany.     Read More

With a central location in the Tuscan countryside, world-famous culinary traditions, and beautifully preserved architecture, Lucca has much to offer its visitors.

One of the reasons why this architecture is so well-preserved is that while other cities in Tuscany have had battle pass through, Lucca remained virtually unscathed by warfare. No matter what time of year you choose to visit this beautifully picturesque city, you'll find something going on, whether it's the Puccini opera festival, the flower festival, or Carnival. This liveliness is what keeps people coming back for more, because once you have visited Lucca you can't help but fall in love with it.

If you choose to stay within the city limits of Lucca, you will be well-placed to explore the surrounding region of Tuscany. From here, you can take day trips to beautiful areas such as Garfagnana, Barga, and the Tuscan coast.     Read More

The Tuscan coast is filled with sandy beaches that fill up during the summer months. Just outside of the mainland, you'll find a variety of islands to visit. The islands of Giglio and Gorgona are two of the most beautiful destinations to choose from in the archipelago that lies just off Tuscany. If you're looking for a place to enjoy the beach without being surrounded by hundreds of other tourists, these relatively isolated and well protected islands are the ideal destination.

From viewing rare marine life to taking a dip in the Tyrrhenian Sea, you can soak up the sun's rays and enjoy all that the waters off of Tuscany have to offer.

Visitors can arrive in Giglio by taking a ferry that leaves Santo Stefano port on an hourly basis, usually every day of the week. With the high volume of demand during the busy summer months, this ferry departs even more frequently.     Read More