The Tuscany coast

Adventures, exploration, child-friendly sandy beaches and challenging rock cliffs all can be reached on the Tuscan coast. The coastal area consists of five different regions and is known as the Tuscan Riviera. A beach holiday and so much more at the Etruscan coast!

Villa at the coast of Tuscany: 5 tips

From the north to the south; check which region suits you best:

1. Massa Carrara

   Challenging rock cliffs for climbers, beautiful rock formations at for lovers of the sun. Massa Carrara and her Apuan Alps are the place for a sportive holiday. Marina di Carrara gives the chance to add some beachdays to your Tuscany holiday!

2. Lucca

   The luxurious seaside places of Viareggio, Lido di Camaiore and Forte dei Marmi are popular for the jet setters and jet setters alike.

3. Pisa

   Marina di Pisa where tasty fish dishes awaits at the harbour and sandy beaches for a child-friendly holiday

4. Livorno including the Island of Elba

   Rocky beaches near Castiglioncello. Sandy beaches like Castagneto Carducci and the beach of Vada with white sand. The Port city of Livorno and Elba’s crystal blue seas.

5. Grosseto

   Beautiful sandy beaches and magnificent nature reserve called Maremma national park. Beautiful beach tip: Cala Violina.  Also Castiglione della pescaia is a place where many Italians are found. Peninsula Monte Argentario with Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano are a hundred precent worthwhile to visit.

The Tyrrhenian sea has so many different faces that it is a challange to find the right place for your family or group. Just let us know what you are looking for and we love to give our personal tips about our favourite coastline in Italy!

Chianti: wine holiday in Tuscany

Many years ago we visited Chianti for the first time and found that all that was written and said about this area was true. A magnificent zone with rolling hills and vineyards and olive groves everywhere you turn. During a wine tour we are passing vineyards, cypresses and discovering small wine villages. We taste the famous red wines, the one and only Chianti wines.  We continue to discover numerous excursion possibilities whether it is by mountain or racing bike, Vespa, horseback, by foot or by quad.

Tips in Chianti

Looking to get married in Tuscany, touring the various Chianti vineyards throughout Tuscany, Chianti’s countless hill top towns, looking at a sporty holiday, business trip, enriching cultural holiday, all can be found and experienced in the magnificent province of Tuscany. Province of Florence and province of Siena are both proud to have the Chianti zone in their middle.

1. Marriage and or honeymoon in Tuscany

   Romantic castles and villas with Chianti vineyards and cypresses are typical for this area. Creating the perfect romantic setting during the beautiful day of your life. Getting married in Tuscany is getting more populair every year. Still we know how to find you the perfect hidden pearl for your wedding in Tuscany!

2. Wine holiday in Tuscany

   Chianti Classico wines, everybody knows them. The Chianti vineyards predominantly grow the blue Sangiovese grapes. During  autumn the vineyards seem to transform into fields of gold. A Chianti wine tour is on your to do list. There are guided tours or tours you can discover yourself by car, bike or Vespa. When you buy a bottle of Chianti wine make sure to check the rooster label as well as the DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) label. This is not only a controlling mechanism but it also guaranties that the wine is really from the Chianti. The region of which we know is the largest wine region of Italy. Food and wine lovers come to Chianti, there is so much more to tell you!

3. Active holiday

   A perfect mountain bike holiday and / or hiking holiday in the Chianti hills; sport has never been so relaxing! Varied MBT routes and hiking trails throughout the Chianti hill, makes for a perfect sporting but relaxing holiday.

4. Business travel

   Company outings, brainstorming sessions, team building … Chianti provides the ideal setting to stimulate the mind for creativity and problem solving. Group villas with Wi-Fi, conference rooms and individual privacy are perfectly suited for business holidays. Positioned centrally for daytrips to Siena, Florence and Chianti wineries waiting for a memorable business holiday.

5. Cultural holiday

   The Chianti area encumbers the art cities of Florence, Siena and Arezzo creating a triangle, which are easily reachable by car and train. Pick-up and drop-off service is included in our city tours.

Last but not least we want to give you the top 5 best Chianti villages. Go for a daytrip to:

1. Radda in Chianti
2. Castellina in Chianti
3. Gaiole in Chianti
4. Greve in Chianti
5. Panzano in Chianti

Massa Carrara: the marble mountains of Carrara

In northern Tuscany, directly behind the Tuscan coast, the Apuan Alps emerge from the Tyrrhenian Sea. The almost 2,000 meter high white mountain range connect the province of Massa Carrara to the one of Lucca. These marble mountains are perfect for a sporty and creative holiday in northern Tuscany.

Tips in Massa Carrara

A creative holiday or sportive holiday in Italy. Why are we giving these tips to the Massa Carrara region?

1. White marble

   The interior of the luxury villas in Tuscany has often lots of marble details. Bathrooms, kitchens and floors we find often designed using marble. Touring through this part of Tuscany numerous and a grand variety of marble artworks from white marble will be discovered. During a visit to the marble quarries of Carrara, your understanding and appreciation of working with marble will change forever. The ‘cave di Fantiscritti’ was the favourite work place of Michelangelo whre he made his most famous marble creations.

2. Into the mountains: The apuan Alps, the best place for a hiking adventure

   The National Parks of the Apuan, ‘Parco Regionale delle Alpi Apuane’, covers a large part of the Apuan Alps. It has a varied landscape filled with beautiful chestnut forests, high rocks with crystal clear streams and impressive mountain formations. During a hike excursion in the Apuan Alps, many stops will be made for the amazing sea views and the multiple level vineyards!

3. Into the extreme: rock climbing

   Massa Carrara is the place to be for an active and extremely sporty holiday. There are challenging climb excursions in the Apuan Alps with impressive rocks for your vertical climb. There are also rockeries for less experienced climbers. Local guides can advise and take you on for a excursion on your level.

4. Massa Carrara for creative groups

   Explore your hidden creative talent during a creative group holiday! Sculpture and painting workshops are available aplenty in Massa Carrara. The blocks of marble are waiting for you! The nature and picturesque towns of Massa are a big inspiration to these creative groups.

5. On our way to Cinque Terre

   The UNESCO World Heritage Listed Cinque Terre is in within driving reach during your stay in a villa in northern Tuscany. The five villages of Cinque Terre are actually located in the neighbouring province named Liguria. Here Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore offer hiking trails of various levels of difficulty. Hiking through these colourful villages with spectacular sea views makes you wonder if you are walking through a magnificent painting.

Beaches are to be found, also in this northern part of Tuscany! Marina di Carrara have beautiful sand and gravel beaches.

Lucca: city and beach

Cycling over the city walls of Lucca to enjoy the view of the city. The best way to start this city getaway. ‘The city of many churches’, the city where trees grow from towers, the city where the inhabitants keep their money inside their pockets (that’s what they say), one of our favourite cities of Tuscany without a doubt. The area around Lucca is as diverse as the city itself. From beaches to hills and even up into the mountains we go…

Holiday Lucca: 5 tips

1. Lucca città: city getaway Italy

   The city centre and its preserved city walls are best to be discovered by foot or by bike. Walk or cycle on these walls to enjoy the best view of the city. Lucca hosts numerous churches, some of which are the Duomo di San Martino, Palazzo Pfanner, Piazza Napoleone, Museo della Cattedrale and De Chiesa San Giovanni where real trees grow on top. The Piazza dell’Anfiteatro is the best place for a drink or ‘gelato.’

2. Jet set places of the Tuscan coast

   The jet set area of the Tuscan coast is found in the Lucca area.  Stroll along the boulevard of Lido di Camaiore, shop in one of many boutiques of Viareggio and enjoy a luxurious dinner on the beach of Forte dei Marmi.

3. Garfagnana: into the mountains

   The mountainous area of the province of Lucca lies between the Apuan Alps and the Apennines. The Serchio River crosses the mountainous forest area, with an altitude of up to 2054 meters, a paradise for climbers and experienced hikers. Also the protected park called ‘Parco dell’Orecchiella’ contains many hiking trails and mountain bike tracks. Bike holiday? Hike holiday? Lucca it is!

4. Sport fishing and bird watching

   Lake Massaciuccoli in Torre del Lago Puccini is a paradise for the most passionate fishermen and bird spotters.

5. Mountain villages to love

   The best mountain villages of Lucca are Pietrasanta, Bagni di Lucca, Barga, Borgo a Mozzano and Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. Put them on you bucket list to stroll through and dine in trattorias in true Tuscan style.

By plane

Lucca is perfectly central located to land on Pisa or Florence. By train you arrive easily in the city centre, but to discover all that the province of Lucca has to offer we strongly advise to rent a car.

Pisa : Tuscany coast, city break and hills

Pisa is best known for its coast and city. This part of the Tuscany coast is great for families and the city has everything for a short city break. Though this part of Tuscany has much more to offer then the leaning tower of Pisa and the beach. The green hilly landscape and nature reserves, for example. We often walk through the stunning  park ‘Parco regional Migliarino San Rossore.’ The hills behind this part of the Tuscany coast offer ‘vista mare’ (sea view) which is characteristic of the Pisa region. The strada del vino is a nice route to discover the wines of the ‘Colline Pisane’ and to take home as a souvenir.

Holiday Pisa: 5 tips

Is Pisa for you? Discover:

1. Pisa città: city break

   Pisa is so much more than just the leaning tower (Bell tower) situated on the Piazza dei Miracoli. Addition to the tower, on the square of miracles, also called the Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square), we find the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Camposanto (monumental cemetery). Behind this square within walking distance along the river Arno the shopping streets and other squares of Pisa are waiting to be discovered. Along the way ensure to visit Palazzo Blue, the piazza dei Cavalieri and the botanical gardens at the university of Pisa.

2. The hills behind the Tuscan coast

   Vista Mare (sea view) from the green hills, which during autumn are practacly golden are full of hiking trails and mountain bike trails. The small country roads through vineyards and picturesque villages are nice by car and even more exciting by bike or Vespa.

3. The best villages of Pisa

   The characteristic narrow streets, with charming squares and cute houses mad of stone with balconies filled with flowers. We love to tour along the Tuscan villages, it give us a unique feeling. Volterra, Montescudaio, Casale Marittimo, Querceto, Peccioli are definitly in our top 5 villages.

4. Strada del Vino

   Wine lovers can follow the routes along the ‘Strada del Vino dell’Olio Costa degli Etruschi’. The prestigious Sassicaia and Chianti Colline Pisane are to be found in these Pisan hills. During a wine tasting in this area you will taste these wines and less known but just as tasty local wines.

5. Pisa’s nature reserve

   Between Pisa and the Tuscan coast the nature reserve of San Rossore is hidden. During a hike excursion or guided bike tour you will learn about the Mediterranean vegetation and its animals such as sea birds, deer and wild boars. Unguided walking routes and cycle trails, paved and unpaved paths are there explored by the more independent couples and groups. On a less energetic day you can enjoy the nature reserve by taking the little park train. Also very nice experience for families with kids.

How to get to Pisa

The airport of Pisa is nice and small. From here you can take the shuttle into the centre of rent a car. To discover not only Pisa centre but also the Pisan hills, we strongly reccomend to rent a car.

Lovely Livorno : holiday at the Tuscan coast

Livorno is a great port city where fresh fish can be found all over the fish restaurants. The fish of the day is served with local white and red wines. The province of Livorno has a varied landscape. High rock formations and green nature in the north, long sandy beaches in the south and vineyards and picturesque villages in Livorno’s countryside. The perfect setting for a family holiday of beach holiday including wine tours and boat trips.

Holiday Livorno : 5 tips

5 Tips to discover if you will Livorno as much as we do:

1. Beach holiday Tuscany

   The beaches of Livorno are situated on the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian sea. Vada, Cecina, San Vincenzo and Riotorto are fine sandy beaches on the south side of Livorno, whereas in the north we find beautiful rocky beaches like the ones of Castiglioncello, Antignana and Quercianella. At the foot of a large cliff on your way to Quercianella a hidden sandy beach called ‘Cala di Leone’ is waiting to be discovered. Affront the forest path with long wooden stairs and some rocks to arrive at this special beach.

2. Eating fish and go shopping

   The port city Livorno is the largest port of Tuscany. Here you will find the best fish restaurants. Towards the Terrazza Mascagni it is time for an ice cream or Tuscan aperitivo at sunset. Next to the Mascagni terrace you find the Livorno aquarium, nice for families with kids. Towards the city centre are a lot of shops for some hours of serious shopping! Walk along the water to pass the old and the new fort (fortezza vecchia and the fortezza nuova) along your way to the Piazza della Repubblica. If you have some time left, a great quarter of Livorno to visit is ‘Nuova Venezia’ (New Venice). This is the most characteristic quarter of Livorno. Indeed it is called this way for its canals with arching bridges, just like Venice.

3. Hiking in the natural park of Livorno

   The nature park ‘Parco dei monti Livornesi’ is to be found east of Livorno. This green paradise is the perfect place for hiking, birdwatching and mountain biking.

4. Bolgheri

   Bolgheri: a small irresistible and picturesque wine village, best known for its Sassicaia wines. The access road is like a Tuscany postcard: beautiful long cypress road with vineyards in the background. A stop at a vineyard for a spontaneous wine tasting is inevitable at this point.

5. Elba

   Elba Island is an easy one hour boat ride from Livorno and worth an extra few days in this province of Tuscany. The beautiful beaches, the secrets of Napoleon, fish with Elba wines and so much more. Real all about Elba in our Elba special and in our personal blog.

How to arrive to Livorno

The nearest airport is Pisa. From here we advise to rent a car to drive to your holiday destination in Livorno.

Elba: sea, sun & Napoleon

Elba is the largest island of Tuscany and part of the province of Livorno.   The islandand is best known for its crystal clear waters and emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Experience  the best beach holidays on the most beautiful island in Tuscany, Elba is also hidden with  true cultural treasures and romantic legends.

Holiday Elba: 5 tips

5 Tips to discover if this is your favourite Italian island too:

1. Beach holiday Elba

   The 147 kilometers long coastline provide small coves and idyllic beaches with crystal-clear blue sea. The best beaches of Elba: Spiaggia di Sansone, Spiaggia della Padulella, Spiaggia Felcio, Spiaggia di Cavoli, Cala dei Frati, Spiaggia del Forno, Spiaggia di Nisportino, Spiaggia di Fetovaia and Spiaggia di Laconella are highly recommended for a beach holiday on Elba.

2. Hiking on Elba

   A large part of Elba is classified as protected national park, the ‘Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano’. The varied landscape of beaches, hills, cliffs and its highest mountain, Monte Capanne at 1019 meters, offers a variety of hiking trails. Every spring and autumn the ‘Tuscany Walking Festival’ is organised in several national parks of Tuscany including the hiking trails of Elba. Specialised walking guides will guide you along the most stunning walking paths.

3. In the footsteps of Napoleon

   Elba was once owned by the Austrian Empire and was the place where the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to after is appalling and failed battle with Russia. After 10 months Bonaparte saw his opportunity to escape. During his brief stay he managed to leave behind a richer island and lasting evidence of his existence.  The port of Portoferraio for example. He changed the small village into the important harbour of today. His villa ‘Villa dei Mulini di Napoleone’ with a museum are a must visit in this part of Elba. Just as Napoleon Bonaparte’s summerhouse ‘Villa di San Martino.’

4. Romance – the legends of Elba

   Elba is the island of many myths and legends. A little fantasy is needed to believe or at least appreciate these stories. The town of Capoliveri tells the legends of ‘the lovers’ and the one of ‘La Vantina.’ The legend of ‘the caves’ and the legend of ‘Luceri’ are telling their story in Portoferraio. There is also a myth about a treasure in Porto Azzuro. Shall we do some research to find out whether these legends could be true?

5. Up and under water

   Discover Elba from the water. If it were up to us, we stayed on this beautiful sea all day long. Renting a boat, water skiing, surfing, kite surfing, pedal boating and canoeing on the crystal clear water is so inviting! The exotic underwater world of Elba is breathtaking as well. Scuba diving or snorkelling to discover the colours of Elba’s underwater world is highly recommended.

   How to reach Elba island

The best way to reach Elba is by ferry boat. From the mainland you embark in Livorno or Pi0mbino to cross over to Portoferraio or Rio Marina in only one hour.

Pistoia: little Florence?

Pistoia is often compared to her big sister Florence. In reality this city and region is filled with surprises and cannot be compared with Florence or any other place in Tuscany. Pistoia is surrounded by green hills and mountains where during the winter even skiing is possible. The city of Pistoia and its surrounding offers a high level cultural and sport opportunities. no wonder Pistoia was the Italian capital of culture in 2017. Pistoia is also the home town of Pinocchio.

Tips in Pistoia

A cultural holiday or sportive holiday in Italy. Why are we giving these tips to the provice of Pistoia?

1. City getaway to little Florence

   Pistoia was nominated the cultural capital of Europe in 2017. Despite this fact Pistoia remains relatively unknown to the tourists avoiding crowds and chaos. The city is filled with squares with monuments from Italian Renaissance period, modern art, an underground historic hospital, terraces and numerous shops. The cathedral from the 12th-century dedicated to ‘Saint Zeno of Verona’ and the current seat of the Bishop, on the Piazza del Duomo is one of the most important highlights.

2. Into the mountains: a cycling holiday in Italy

   Pistoia’s northern part is mountainous of heights of nearly 1400 meters, which can be reached in both summer and winter. Within these mountains there are numerous mtb tracks trails that are numbered by its difficulty.

3. Getting lost in the mountain villages of Pistoia

   Pistoia’s northern villages of Cutigliano and Abetona little has changed with time which will reflect a positively the way Tuscany is imagined. Collodi, can be found eastwards and is known for its ‘Villa Garzoni’ and the ‘Pinocchio park (Parco di Pinocchio)’ whereas Montecatini Terme provides Wellness Spas. South of Pistoia the mountain of Montalbano can be found which is within the green zone connecting Pistoia, Prato and Florence regions. These magnificent hilly areas there are numerous delightful places to be found, like ‘Lamporecchio’ with its sweet specialty ‘Brigdini’ and Vinci with the museum of the true, Leonardo da Vinci!

4. Walking holiday for the experienced hiker

   Pistoia is a must for all experienced hikers. Its mountainous structure challenges even the most adventurous hiker.

5. Ski and extreme sport holiday

   The Italian Apennines provides the opportunity to ski amongst the locals whereas the Pistoiese mountains provide a great opportunity to ski, weekend or midweek. The ski experience can be further enhanced by participating in a snow bike / fat bike tour and or by a day trip to Cutigliano and Pistoia. The mountains of northern Tuscany provide the opportunity for an adventure holiday, group or family, participating in extreme sports such as down hill skiing, down hill biking, climbing.