Archive for 'Lucca'

One of the most internationally famous and beloved of all Italian characters ever created has to be Pinocchio. Created by author Carlo Collodi and featured in the 1883 book, “The Adventures of Pinocchio”, he was propelled into the spotlight on a global scale when his tale was adapted for the big screen by Disney in 1940. However, Carlo Collodi wasn’t the author’s real name but rather a nom de plume taken from his home village of Collodi in the Tuscan hills, not far from Florence.

Today, the town has been clever enough to embrace this beloved character and is dedicated to all things Pinocchio. A giant statue of the puppet-boy is visible throughout the town, little Pinocchio toys are available all over so you can bring him home with you and there is even a theme park, Pinocchio Park, dedicated to him.

If you are travelling Tuscany with kids or have nostalgic fondness for the story, just find a luxury villa in Collodi and spend a day exploring the park and town.

Altopascio is a charming small Tuscan town which is famous for its great tradition of bread making that has survived for centuries in the area.

In fact, though it may be little-known to tourists and a little off the beaten track, it is a bit of a mecca for bakers and even hosts a bread festival each year.

For this reason, it is known as the “town of bread”. In addition to delicious baked goods, however, the town has a lot more to offer and to be discovered.

If you like your holidays authentic and undiluted by tourist crowds and selfie sticks, this is a perfect destination, just find a vacation rental in Altopascio.

One tends to have an image of Italian cathedrals in mind which is cultivated from scenes in movies, television shows and editorials. It presents a large piazza full of well-dressed youths, children dashing back and forth and traditional-looking elderly folks, all congregating in front of a towering church.

However, Lucca's Cathedral is actually located in a secluded location of the old city centre, tucked away from the main roads and well-trafficked areas.

San Martino Cathedral, located in a piazza of the same name, may be a little off the beaten track and away from the main tourist areas but once you have found a villa with pool in Lucca and are planning a visit to the town, it is a highlight that you won't want to miss.

Once you have found the perfect holiday rental in Tuscany, the googling begins as you try and make a list of the things to see and do in this beautiful region of Italy. Food is probably going to be high on your list as Tuscany, in particular, is known for her delicious, hearty, simple and wholesome cuisine. You have probably sampled Tuscan dishes already but there is nothing quite like the real thing, especially if you are on holidays and enjoying the pace of life and surroundings of Tuscany. In order to make your life easier, we've gathered together some of the best treats that the region has to offer in this one series of posts on sweets in Tuscany. So, when you go to order a coffee to enjoy some afternoon as you sit in a piazza in Tuscany, you'll know exactly what kinds of sweets to ask for as the perfect accompaniment.

The Antro del Corchia is part of the cave system of Monte Corchia in the Apuan Alps Regional Park and is the largest cave system in Tuscany and one of the biggest in Europe. It is made up of over 60km of galleries which go down to a depth of 1200m into the earth. Exploration of the cave began in the 19th century but it was not opened to the public until 2001. Since then, it has become a popular tourist destination, attracting crowds who want to descend into the otherworldly magic of the caves and you can now even take tours in multiple languages. This is a particularly good family activity as it is informative and interesting with stunning visuals that are sure to keep even the strongest nay-sayers in the group happy. Just find a vacation rental in Lucca and spend a day underground in these astounding natural wonders!