Archive for 'Small Towns'

Stop off in the quaint town of Poggio a Caiano on your next vacation to Prato province in Tuscany. Stay in a quaint vacation rental in Carmignano which is only four kilometres away

It’s situated around nine kilometres south of Prato and is made up of ten frazioni including Calcinaia and Poggetto. One of the main sights to see in Poggio a Caiano is the lavish Medici villa.

In 1473 this ruined shell of a house was bought by Lorenzo de’ Medici. It was redesigned to have a quadrangular base around a huge central hall with windows all around overlooking the tranquil countryside.     Read More

If you’re touring around the small province of Prato on your next Tuscan holiday then be sure to include Vaiano on your day trip itinerary.

Situated around ten kilometres north of Prato and 25 kilometres north-west of Florence, this pretty little commune actually encompasses a quaint collection of villages and hamlets.

Some of them are called Sofignano, Fabio, La Foresta and Parmigno. Vaiano borders the neighbouring communes of Barberino di Mugello and Montemurlo. There is a huge collection of religious buildings across the municipality of Vaiano.     Read More

Montemurlo is a splendid town in Prato province which closely borders the province and town of Pistoia and is only 20 kilometres north-west of Florence.

Stay in a cosy vacation villa in Pistoia where you can easily visit Montemurlo and other communes in the area.

It’s situated in idyllic surroundings just on the edge of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. Built on Monte Le Cavallaie whose peak is 976 metres high, Montemurlo would be a superb stop off on a tourist day trip of the province.     Read More

Stop off in the welcoming town of Villafranca in Lunigiana during your next holiday road trip through Massa Carrara province in Tuscany. This quaint little commune is located along the famous pilgrim route to Rome called Via Francigena. Stay for a few days here in a holiday villa and enjoy the atmosphere of this region.

Villafranca in Lunigiana is in fact a collection of seven little villages called Mocrone, Virgoletta, Merizzo, Irola, Malgrate , Fornoli and Filetto. Fornoli is a restful haven for weary travellers walking along the nearby Via Francigena and also offers splendid views of the Val di Magra in which it’s located.

Malgrate is one of the oldest hamlets in the Lunigiana area and is dominated by an ancient fortress and high tower. If you’re passing through the Villafranca in Lunigiana area on the 5th December then you’d love to witness the magical candlelit procession of townsfolk in the streets to celebrate the eve of St. Nicolas. These candles will then light the specially prepared bonfire outside the town.     Read More