Archive for 'Localities'

If you have an interest in the source of legends that have inspired many enchanting fairytales over the years then you’d love a visit to the famous island of Montecristo off the coast of Tuscany which is still known to this day as ‘Treasure Island’!

Although there’s no accommodation on the island itself if you wish to visit, there is a fantastic range of vacation rentals all along the Tuscan coast that offer magnificent views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The legend of Montecristo Island talks of two consecutive tales.

One legend speaks of a dragon that used to live on Montecristo and would explode into a fire breathing rage if anyone dared to come close to the island. Only a man that became known later as Saint Mamiliano was brave enough to face the beast; he sailed out to the island and killed it, dumping its burned body into the sea. And there on the island he made his home in a simple cave.

Visiting the Riviera Apuana region of Tuscany is like stepping into paradise! Enjoy exploring the white sandy beaches that stretch along the Tuscan coast below the tall majestic marble mountains of the Apuan Alps. The Riviera Apuana is bordered by the River Magra and the River Versilia that flow down from higher ground into the sea, and is home to several Blue Flag beaches. The most popular of these are Marinella di Sarzana, Marina di Carrara and Marina di Massa.

Tourists have a superb selection of beautiful vacation rentals on the tuscan coast to choose from; from the towns scattered on the sea to some cosy hamlets tucked into the hills behind.

Visitors will marvel at the vibrant colours that exist naturally here; from the white marble of the mountains, the lush green of the trees and vegetation in the low hills, the yellow sand beaches and the clear blue waters of the sea. There is so much to do and see in the Riviera Apuana; enjoy the many amenities available close to the twenty kilometre long stretch of beaches where you can partake in thrilling water sports like surfing, sailing, sea kayaking and snorkelling.

The Orange Flag Award was an idea formed by the Italian Touring Club in 1998 with the aim of promoting tourism in lesser known places in Italy. Towns and villages must work hard to meet the terms of Orange Flag standards and after inspection, if successful; they can reap the awards of this glorious status! As of May 2013, Italy has been awarded 198 awards, of which 35 are located in Tuscany. These towns and villages have benefited greatly from the promotion the Orange Flag award gives them. A free pdf download of all these places can be found through this link.

Visitors wishing to stay in one of thirty five Orange Flag awarded towns in Tuscany have plenty of holiday rentals to choose from. In a previous article we have we have highlighted many of these quaint Orange Flag Award winning towns.

If you can’t bear the thought of leaving your dearly loved cat or dog at home while you go on holidays to Tuscany, then why not bring them along to enjoy the fun! There is a wealth of spectacular pet-friendly holiday villas scattered all across Tuscany that welcome you and your pet to stay for as long as you wish. Choose from the very finest five star luxury villas, animal friendly apartments and hotels in Tuscan cities like Florence, Lucca and Pisa or charming countryside farmhouses where your cat or dog have the freedom to wander around off the lead and get to know the animals already living there!

Tuscany has the best reputation in Italy for welcoming pets along with their owners on vacation. It has the highest number of beaches that allow animals, most of which are located in the province of Livorno. Other gorgeous beaches that you can enjoy the days with your pet are located along the coastline in the provinces of Piombino, Grosetto and Cecina. Obviously, it’s expected that you clean up after your dog and ensure that it has plenty of fresh water and a shady place to rest if it gets too hot.

Although this romantic walk isn’t in Tuscany, it’s so close to the northern Tuscan border that you both could easily enjoy a day trip to Liguria and walk along a path where many couples first met. It’s called Via dell’Amore and is located along the coast. There is a wealth of gorgeous villas and other holiday rentals available in northern Tuscany for you to base your stay and plan a trip to this enchanting place!

Via dell’ Amore is a trail along the rocky cliff coastline between the towns of Riomaggiore and Manarda.