Archive for 'Must See Attractions'

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...     Read More

The rolling green hills and pretty medieval towns of Tuscany get mentioned a lot around here and for good reason; these iconic images of the region, as presented in books and on screens are often the motivating factor for people to first have an interest in visiting Tuscany in order to see it for themselves and they are, indeed, truly stunning. While a villa in Tuscany and a drive in almost any direction on almost any road is likely to produce incredible scenery sooner rather than later, there are, of course, some areas that are among the most visited, photographed, and written about for their particular aesthetic merit. One such area is the impossibly picturesque Lucciola Bella Nature Reserve in Pienza, at the heart of the Arcadian Val d'Orcia.     Read More

If you find yourself a villa on the Tuscan Coast, you will have a plethora of lovely beaches to choose from for relaxing days by the seaside. However, for those who like beaches that are perfectly set up and have all of the facilities that you could possibly ask for in order to enjoy yourself to the fullest without having to worry about anything, then paid beaches and beach clubs are the only way to go. While there are lots of free beaches in the area and many people don't want to pay to access a strand, there are others who would much rather fork out a fee in order to leave themselves completely stress-free and ready to just sit back and relax. If you find yourself in this latter category and you are exploring the area around the Miami of the Tuscan Coast, Forte dei Marmi, then an excellent fee-paying beach club to enjoy is Bagno Angelo.     Read More

Tuscany, as a region with an unbelievably rich cultural and artistic heritage is, unsurprisingly, home to many palaces, art museums, civic museums, churches, and religious collections that stuffed full of extraordinary works of art from throughout history. However, in addition to the old, the region also celebrates the new in contemporary art galleries and various other kinds of art spaces and the art scene is still very much alive and well. So, if you have found a luxury villa in Tuscany and you are interested in art, then be sure to seek out these newer institutions as well to dive into the current art scene and to experience it in real time for yourself! If you were considering a villa with pool in Lucca, in particular, and you are interested in more recent artistic innovations and practices, then you should definitely head to the ARKAD Foundation.

Located in the town of Seravezza, in an old marble sawmill across from the Medici Palace in town, the ARKAD Fondazione, or ARKAD Foundation, is a wonderful intercultural centre that promotes the creation of art and the spread of culture. Nestled between the Apuan Alps and the Versilia plain, this little town is an impossibly scenic part of the world – think lush hillsides covered in trees, towering peaks, verdant valleys swathed in morning fog, a silver river slicing through the town, and pretty streets lined with stone buildings and palm trees - and it seems fitting, therefore, that it is home to a space producing beautiful and fascinating works of art.     Read More