Saretta

The Grotta del Vento, or the Cave of the Wind, is a system of caves situated in the province of Lucca, in the Apuan Alps regional park. Named for the strong air currents that flow through the cave, it has been known to locals since at least the 17th century, when records show that is was used to keep food cold due to the lower temperature inside. Beginning in the 20th century there was more exploration and systematic study of the caves and in 1966 it was opened up to the public. Since then, many developments have been made in preserving the natural state of the caves to the best of their ability, while making it safer and more readily accessible to tourists – a difficult balance that has won the caves awards in the past and that makes it one of the best caves in the world to visit.

An amazing underworld of caves and tunnels is revealed upon entering the caves and can be explored via three different guided tours – revealing the incredible stalactites and stalagmites, alabaster walls, small lakes and underground streams – and are all relatively easy routes that most people will be able to tackle without a problem.

One of the most readily identifiable and iconic peaks in all of Tuscany has to be the incredible Monte Forato and her two summits, which are connected by a large, open, naturally-occurring arch. This picturesque peak and its incredible and suggestive characteristic arch is located along an excellent ring route in the Garfagnana mountains that makes for an ideal place to go hiking if you have found a vacation rental in Lucca and are looking for somewhere to go take in pretty views of Tuscany, to get some fresh air, to blow out the cobwebs, and to stretch your legs.

The trail along Monte Forato begins at the pretty little Tuscan mountain town of Fornovolasco, which is surrounded by lush greenery, is famous for the river that splits it into two parts, and is dominated by the arch at the top of the peak above. Follow the signs to Grotta del Vento from town, head over the bridge over the Turrite River, up towards the Foce di Petrociana pass, and then take the number six path for a kilometre to a small cave called the Tana che Urla (Screaming Den) or Vallisneri Cave. If you put your ear to the cave’s mouth you can hear an odd noise that sounds like a man shouting, who is, according to local legend, a miner that fell in love with a fairy and followed her deep into the cave, never to be seen again.

As the landscape of Tuscany is so pastoral and lovely in its beauty – all rolling hills, picturesque historic villages, vineyards, oak woods, and golden light – it is easy to forget that great sections of the region are far more dramatic. For those interested in geology or striking views, you need only look a little closer and you'll quickly discover a whole other side of Tuscany that, though less celebrated, is no less stunning. Particularly, if you find a villa with pool in Lucca and head into the Apuan Alps, you will find craggy peaks, fascinating rock formations, and deep caves. Among these caves is the incredible Grotta del Vento, or the Windy Cave.

Named for the strong air currents that flow through the cave system from the entrance that tourists use at 627m to the other, impassable entrance 800m higher up at 1400m, the Grotta del Vento remains at a constant temperature of 10.7 °C and has been known to people in the area since at least the 17th century. Records from the time show that a sharp gust was noted emanating from a fissure in the rock. The cave was then subsequently used by locals in order to store food and keep it cool. Located in Fornovolasco, near Vergemoli, right in the middle of the Apuan Alps Nature Reserve and directly underneath the Pania Secca, this is a rather unique and extraordinary system of caves and grottoes that is noted as one of the most interesting in Europe and is home to some fascinating natural phenomena. With several tour routes to take through the cave, it is a wonderful, beautiful, educational adventure to undertake and a rather different perspective on Tuscany for those who have found a villa in Lucca and are spending time in the area...

If you have an interest in the history of Tuscany’s mining industry that extracted tonnes of copper, iron, lead and silver, especially during the highly demanding Renaissance era, then you'd love a tour of some museums that display more detailed information on nearby mine sites here!

Visitors wishing to stay around one of these exciting tourist attractions have plenty of holiday villas and other comfortable rental accommodation available to them in and around the towns of Castelnuovo, Montecatini, Seravezza, Levigliani and Massa Marittima to name but a few.



There are some spectacular mining museums in Montecatini in Val di Cecina and an archaeological mining museum in San Silvestro which provides a detailed account of mining activities that took place here throughout the Middle Ages until only a few decades ago. They give the tourists an insight into the life of a lowly paid miner and the dangers they faced in their day to day work.

Here at Tuscany Villas we are always aiming to update our portfolio and to bring you more excellent vacation rental options in Tuscany to choose from so that finding the perfect rental for you is even easier. With thousands of villas, farmhouses, apartments, and actual castles and palaces by the sea, in the region's famous and historic cities, in little villages, on giant estates, and in the rolling and lush Tuscan landscape to choose from, you're really spoiled for choice no matter what you are looking for.

Among all these options, we thought we would showcase just five of our newest rentals on the website and give you a taste of what you can expect with Tuscany Villas and, who knows, maybe your dream property will be one of them...

1. The All-Rounder: Villa al Prato (Available from €188 per night)

Located in the town of Loppeglia, not far from Lucca, this gem is hard to beat on price, aesthetic, handiness, and facilities.

Tuscany is brimming with lots of fascinating places of interest to visit during your vacation here! If you’re the type of person that loves nothing more than to explore the local museums of the area then Tuscany will surely not disappoint.

The Tuscans are renowned for their fierce pride in their heritage and traditions and have set up a museum to honour pretty much everything they hold dear to their hearts. Here are three of the nicest museums in Tuscany that will no doubt enrich your tourist experience!

Stroll around the charming museum of Vine and Wine located in the Valdarno area of Tuscany.

Situated in the town of Rafina in the old wine cellars of a villa here, tourists can embark on a historic tale of wine making traditions in the area. Learn all about the stages of wine harvesting that date all the way back to the time of the Etruscan civilisation and observe the differences between how wine was made by hand back then with how the modern machines make it today. Visitors can enjoy the fruits of the labour, quite literally at a lovely little wine bar beside the museum where tastings of many local wines can be savoured. Stay at a beautiful villa in the Arno Valley where you can relax and unwind in peaceful surroundings, close to this interesting museum.