Archive for 'Livorno'

The province of Livorno is full of things to see and do as it combines all of the charms of Tuscany with the bonus of being by the coast. If you have found a vacation rental in Livorno you won’t be short of things to fill your days with, that’s for sure! However, if you’re looking for a bit of adventure and, perhaps, something a little bit different then we suggest heading to the Adventure Park Il Giardino Sospeso (Parco Avventura Il Giardino Sospeso) in the municipality of Riparbella. This “suspended garden” is a special adventure park made up of fixed and suspended paths set in the air between the trees of the forest in Riparbella.

These fixed and suspended paths and trails include Tibetan bridges, wooden walkways, climbing nets and wooden planks suspended on ropes on which you need to balance. There are several routes of various levels of difficulty so that there is something to offer for both children and adults. These routes include the four Baby Trails from 90 to 110cm in height and Child Trails from 110 to 140cm in height and the four Adult Routes, which are above 140cm in height. Additionally, these trails are also divided by length and by difficulty from the easiest routes (the routes marked green) to the medium difficulty routes (routes marked blue) to the medium high difficulty (marked violet) and, finally, to the high difficulty routes (marked red).

Bolgheri is probably most famous to many as a wine area. Located in the province of Livorno, it was a long-time producer of wines but none of its makers were especially well-known. After an event organised by Decanter, in 1974 in which a 6-year-old Sassicaia won over an assortment of Bordeaux wines, the area has become much more well-regarded, though still not especially well-known internationally. However, in addition to her respected wines, Bolgheri has a lot more to offer visitors. This beautiful little town is impossibly charming and quite the looker, full of character, a foodie haven, steeped in history, and rich in culture, plus it’s only 10km from the Tuscan Coast. So, if you’re looking for a relaxed destination that has it all but is also a little off the beaten tourist track and incredibly peaceful, just find a vacation rental with a pool in the Bolgheri area and come explore all that the village has to offer for yourself.

The Museo di Storia Naturale del Mediterraneo (or the Natural History Museum of the Mediterranean) is a long-standing beloved gem in the seaside city of Livorno in Tuscany that is a favourite of school groups and families. However, if you have found a vacation rental in Livorno and are planning on spending time in the area, it makes for an interesting visit for tourists too and, well, anyone, particularly those travelling with kids. Just set aside a couple of hours and come explore the models of various creatures, the dioramas, the interactive features, the impressive animal skeletons and much more besides…

Originally established in 1929, when famous naturalists from Livorno and the surrounding area collected lots of scientific equipment that had previously been part of the Cabinet of Natural History at the Technical Institute of Amerigo Vespucci. It was these objects that became the original basis of the collection of the museum. In 1944, bombing destroyed the museum and it was moved to the municipal aquarium and reopened there in 1952. The museum was moved once more in 1980 to a restored historic property in town, the Villa Henderson, and that is where it remains to this day.

The Mercato Centrale (Central Market) of Livorno is also known as the Mercato delle Vettovaglie (Market of the Provision) or Mercato Coperto (Covered Market) and is one of the most incredible buildings and attractions that the Tuscan seaside city has to offer. Not only that, it is also a wonderful culinary hotspot for those visiting the city where you can enjoy lots of amazing local delicacies, treats, and specialities. If you are a foodie and have found a vacation rental in Livorno and are planning on spending any time in the city, then it is an absolute must! Just make sure you wear some comfy, roomie pants…

Tuscany is famous for her food and wine and, as a result, there is no shortage of excellent eateries, bars, wineries, and more located all over the region. We have noted many great wineries before in various parts of Tuscany but if you have found a vacation rental in Livorno, in particular, and are thinking about pulling yourself away from the province’s incredible beaches for a while to go and sample some excellent local wines, then we definitely recommend a visit to Batzella.

Batzella Estate is a family-run winery established in 2000 by Khanh Nguyen and Franco Batzella who left careers in international finance to return to Italy and live out their passion for Italian wine. They chose the West Coast of Tuscany and set up in the prestigious Bolgheri appellation, founding the estate ex novo and planting a brand new vineyard of 7.5 hectares with mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.