When one thinks of lavender, Provence is likely the European destination that first comes to mind and while it is a brilliant place for lovers of this sweet-scented bloom to experience purple flowers unfolding endlessly in front of you across a landscape and the aroma permeating the air all around, there are other options, including in Tuscany. In Tuscany, there is one main spot to go to experience impressive lavender fields, in the hills around Pisa. Therefore, if you want to breathe in lavender fields, capture some stunning photographs of the landscape and use it as a backdrop for lovely commemorative photos of you and your fellow travellers, and to stock up on some lavender-infused products then you should browse our last-minute villas in Tuscany and head there in the next couple of weeks. The lavender fields of Tuscany begin to bloom fully around the middle of June and last until they are harvested at the end of July, leaving you just enough time to still catch them this summer. Or, if you’re looking ahead to next summer and you want to inject some lavender into your vacation in Tuscany then you can browse our vacation rentals in Pisa, in general.
Stretching over the Pisan Hills (and though not nearly as extensively as in Provence, still enough to be a true delight), the lavender fields can be found from between Casciana Alta and Castellina Marittima right through to Pieve di Santa Luce and Orciano Pisano. This is particularly concentrated around the hills by the charming town of Santa Luce and this is also an especially picturesque part of the world with its rolling green hills now dotted by purple fields each summer, the medieval core of the town hugging the remaining ruins of the old castle at the centre, little villages sprinkled over the surrounding area, and the lake and peaceful nature reserve of the nearby Oasis of Santa Luce. Already, even without the lavender, there is plenty of reason to seek out this magical, beyond peaceful, and utterly stunning part of the world. It is an ideal place to come and spend some time admiring the great natural beauty for which Tuscany is so well known as it is truly at its loveliest and most untouched here.
If you are, however, coming during June or July in order to see the lavender fields, in particular, you will quickly discover that these areas are relatively new to the Pisan Hills and have been specifically planted in recent years as part of a new project financed by the Region of Tuscany along with some additional aid via various European funds and initiatives. This part of Tuscany was once golden, instead, covered in fields of wheat but now the regional authorities aim to promote the lavender project as a means of ensuring both agricultural and tourism opportunities in the area. The lavender will be used in production chains by local farmers and companies to create essential oils, beauty products, food products, and other products that make use of the flowers as ingredients. And, of course, it is hoped that the striking sight of these beautiful lavender fields will draw increasing numbers of tourists to this part of the region as time goes on. Cultivated using an organic and biodynamic method, this initiative has also been specifically modelled to create a more sustainable tourism development method that prioritises the natural resources of the area and the care of its environment.
There are currently aboout eighteen hectares of lavender fields to admire and explore, so it is not quite the endless purple blanket of other places but it is a start and it is still very charming. Farmers and producers are generally happy to welcome visitors and to explain the work they do, the process of growing and preparing lavender, how it is collected and then used, how it is distilled into essential oils, and all about the beneficial properties of the plant. There are also various other lavender-related options when it comes to activities that are available in the surrounding areas: visitors who want to spend time admiring this lavender hot spot can enjoy things such as photo tours, e-bike rides through this scenic part of the Pisan Hills, a range of beauty treatments making use of the lavender and others such as relaxing massages using Tibetan bells, and much more besides. Until the 24th of July this year, as well, the current Lavender Days festival will continue to take place, which has seen the lavender fields between Orciano Pisano and Santa Luce play host to special guided tours of the fields, flower workshops, massages, workshops on the use of lavender in cosmetics, Zen walks and bike rides, and aromatic experiences every Friday, Saturday and Sunday as part of an initiative by the ‘Colli Pisani‘ business network. Or, if you merely want to walk among the lavender, breathe in the aroma, and enjoy your surroudings, you can just pay the entry fee of three euros and wander about for a bit during your exploration of this stunning corner of the province of Pisa.
So, if you’re thinking about a last-minute holiday rental in Tuscany or a villa in Pisa in the next couple of weeks, be sure to set aside just a little time to come and explore the new mini-Provence that is steadily growing away here, all while enjoying all of the charms of a vacation in Tuscany... the best of both worlds really!
