Experience Tuscany » Where to Stay

On the set of “Certified Copy”

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:13:33 +0000

From Cannes Festival to Lucignano, near Arezzo Italy.
Lucignano is a beautiful medieval town in Tuscany that Cannes Film Festival brought to celebrity thanks to the film directed by the Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami: “Certified Copy”.
The movie, with Juliette Binoche as the main performer, was filmed in Lucignano and Cortona.

Lucignano is in the province of Arezzo, near Siena and it is considered the town of love. Traditionally young couples use to swear undying love in front of a precious reliquary, the Tree of Love, kept in the Museo Municipale.

Cortona, a town of Etruscan origins surrounded by massive walls, is a succession of streets, squares, ancient buildings and churches. The village, located on top of a hill, offers a suggestive landscape of the Val di Chiana and Trasimeno Lake in Umbria.

This will be a journey in the set of the movie, to “touch” the artistic and natural beauty of this land.
1st day – Arrival in the afternoon in Lucignano and accommodation in B&B in the old town center or in the countryside. Dinner – tasting and overnight stay.
2nd day – After breakfast you can visit the historical center of Lucignano to discover the places where the main scenes of the movie were filmed and visit the Museo Municipale to admire the Golden Tree. In the afternoon visit of the old town of Cortona and the viewpoint from which you can see Trasimeno Lake. The tour continues with a visit to the Museum of the Etruscan Academy of Cortona. The importance of the findings in the museum is internationally recognized. Just think that in spring 2011 an exhibition of exceptional Etruscan findings from Louvre Museum will be held in Cortona. In the evening, back at the B&B. Dinner with tasting of local dishes and overnight stay.
3rd day – After breakfast, for those who have some hours left, we propose a tour to discover the Trasimeno Lake and the Isola Maggiore, the major island of the lake, where you will visit the ancient village of fishermen and you will taste a typical fish dinner.

Tour Prices:
Adults: € 148,00 per person
Additional charge for high season (15.07 – 31.08): € 28,00 per person in B&B with swimming pool.
The price includes: 2 nights in double room breakfast included; 2 suppers not including drinks; 1 entrance ticket to the Museo Comunale of Lucignano (closed on Tuesdays); 1 entrance ticket to the MAEC Museum of Cortona; 1 travel map
Extra on request: Tour of the Trasimeno Lake and fish dinner at the Isola Maggiore.
The price does not include: Transfer, drinks, tips and all other items not stated as included.
Availability: 01/06/2010 – 31/12/2011

Reservations and additional info: info@coloritoscani.com or visit the Official website.

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This post was submitted by Colori Toscani.

Arezzo in the Middle Age

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:16:57 +0000

This is an excellent offer for the “Joust of Saracino” and a guided tour of Arezzo.
Medieval Arezzo was a flourishing, powerful and cultured city. With more than 20,000 inhabitants, it was divided into four quarters and its lively cultural life reached levels of international prestige. During the first week-end of September, you can visit the monuments and churches of the old town and you can also attend the “Giostra del Saracino“, a medieval jousting tournament.

The offer includes 2 days and 1 night

1st day â€“ Saturday September 4, 2010:
Arrival in Arezzo in the afternoon; accommodation in B&B
3 pm â€“ 5 pm: Guided tour in the historical center of Arezzo
8.30 pm circa: “propitiation dinner” in one of the four quarter of the town.
Overnight stay in B&B

2nd day â€“ Sunday September 5, 2010:
Breakfast in B&B
12,30 pm: local wine tasting with a sommelier
Free time for lunch
5 pm: beginning of the Joust

Minimum 2 people
Price per person: â‚¬152.00

The price includes:
- 1 overnight stay in B&B, double room, breakfast included
- 1 typical dinner, drinks included
- 1 wine tasting of 3 wines and bruschette with olive oil of the province (Strade del Vino Terre di Arezzo)
- Ticket for the Joustâ€“ Bleachers A
- Guided tour of the historical center
*the price does not include:
Transfer, tips and all other items not stated as included.

For reservations please contact: info@coloritoscani.com or visit the official site.

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This post was submitted by Colori Toscani.

Barberino in Mugello

ClairPhillys — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 22:52:13 +0000

Here you will find an unexpected Tuscany. A large lake that almost resembles a sea surrounded by rolling green hills at the foot of the Apennines awaits you for a full vacation. With the recent creation of the reservoir of Bilancino this has become one of the most interesting and versatile resorts of the Tuscan hills, with a pleasing variety of natural surroundings, holiday sites and other attractions. All the beauty of Tuscany, plus the lake.
Barberino di Mugello has ancient but uncertain origins. It was of considerable military and commercial importance in the Middle Ages for its strategic position along the primary roads of communication between the plains of Tuscany and the Po Valley. That importance has changed little with the nearby construction of the main highway as the backbone of Italy. From this often troubled past have come down to us numerous historical and artistic heritages. Although the town is mostly modern due to the heavy destruction suffered during World War II.
Among the places not to be missed, is the great Villa Medici in Cafaggiolo, with its sumptuous interior and its elegant garden, and Villa Torre Il Palagio, surrounded by a beautiful park, with its ancient trees, including a California cypress and some mighty cedars of Lebanon and a large redwood species of Giganthea. Other monuments include the Fifteenth century Praetorian Palace, restored in neo-medieval style, the Medici Loggiato, the Parish of St. Gavino Adimari, built in the Eleventh century, and the castles of Barberino and Villanova among others.
While visiting Barberino and its monuments, the eye will often meet the great blue of Lake Bilancino, which nicely contrasts with the green of the hills: the reservoir was completed in 1995 with the construction of a 42 meters high and 710 meter long dam. It was made to create a pool of 62 million cubic meters of water, with an area of five square kilometers. This created a new and attractive reality of great touristic interest for Barberino of Mugello and the whole surrounding area. The banks of the lake enjoy a great sun exposure. Here various holiday sites and entertainment venues, including real beaches, were created. Here it is ideal to enjoy rest days on the beach or practice many water sports like canoing, sailing, windsurfing, mountain bike with equipment rentals and courses for children. In addition on the northeastern shore of the lake is the WWF Oasis of Gabbianello.
Barberino di Mugello is also an ideal place for walkers and hikers that along the beautiful valleys can climb right up to the ridge of the Apennines. One name for all is the hiking trail named “Le Sorgenti di Firenze“, divided into a main ring route and twenty-two secondary pathways. On the trail you have the opportunity to stay in several resting accommodations often consisting of farmhouse, former monasteries, ancient villas or farmhouses, to discover the real Tuscany.

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Suzanne Vega in Tuscany

ClairPhillys — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 22:56:15 +0000

The singer Suzanne Vega is going to be in Arezzo, Tuscany on July 6. She is in live concert for the Arezzo Festival 2010 in the fascinating scenario of the Roman Amphitheater.
Tickets are on sale now for the show that will start at 9,30 pm in the wonderful scenery that is the Roman Amphitheater in the city center. Suzanne Vega is already touring Europe with her new work called Close-Up Volume 1, Love Songs. The core of the concert is the trio composed by the singer, Gerry Leonard with the second guitar and Mike Visceglia at the bass.
The entire project includes new releases and many reinterpretations of her past successes through an acoustic and very personal key. The whole project will see four theme albums over the span of two years. The first of the four long plays includes her famous Marlene On the Wall, Caramel and many others.
Tickets for the concert are available at the website GreenTicket.it, at 16 Euro plus the pre-sale rights

Ticket and stay offer
There is an interesting offer for those that are going to be in Tuscany on the 6th but do not have an idea where to stay for just that night. You can stay at a 4 star hotel in Arezzo (just one kilometer and a half from the city center). The price includes one double room for one night with breakfast, a wine tasting of local wines with bruschetta, and of course the ticket for the concert of Suzanne Vega. The price per person is 72 Euros. For more info and reservation either call +39 0575 26677 or write to info@coloritoscani.com

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Wedding at Villa Castellaccia

ClairPhillys — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:10:44 +0000

It is always a nice happening when you are invited to a wedding. Especially if the wedding is in Tuscany and even more so when the location is a wonderful villa with private park and restaurant.
That is what happened to me, when some friends of mine decided to marry in Italy. I suggested Tuscany as one of the most wonderful areas in Italy where you can still find gorgeous wedding locations that are not overly expensive.
After a few months they came back to me with the official invitation and the location at a gorgeous villa near Grosseto, in southern Tuscany. The name of the villa is Villa Castellaccia, which I had never heard of before. Therefore I was expecting the wedding day with trepidation. The whole wedding ceremony and the reception was held at the villa’s park, both outdoors during a wonderful hot day.
Upon arrival the gate opens up the private way under secular oak trees. Then the garden opens up with the villa on the left. This section of the garden is rich of tall trees with flourishing tops that provide enough shelter from sun rays and freshen up the environment to create the perfect location for outdoor ceremonies and celebrations. The perfectly groomed lawn continues to include a small olive garden and a small private chapel, for those willing to have an indoor ceremony. However, weather permit, it would be a shame not to take advantage of the poetry offered by the secular trees in the garden, an idyllic setting that flows around Villa Castellaccia. Going to the larger section of the garden, which faces the villa’s facade, you flank the building on the side. Walking on the gravel path that crackles under your feet, you spot a very private section of the property. Here a small paradise is carved out with small fresh buildings and many Mediterranean lush bushes. It is the relax house of the villa, provided of a nice swimming pool, outdoor dining table and comfortable indoors. The large open doors create a splendid continuity between the garden and the indoors as the perfect ambient for a chillout evening with cocktails by the pool.
The front garden provides an even grander feeling of majesty. The tall secular firs create an area where the wrought-iron gazebo stands king of the scene. A number of small tables with comfortable fabric chairs surround the gazebo, where the main event takes place. Here it is where the aperitif was served prior to dinner, and here is also where the cake was cut and the fireworks took place. What a gorgeous setting!
Click on pics to enlarge

The dinner usually takes place indoors, in the large sun room of the villa. In the past this must have been the greenhouse, and now hosts splendidly catered weddings and events. The staff at the villa relies on an external catering service that takes care of everything concerning the reception, from aperitif to the cake, all the food, scenic arrangements and room and table decoration. I wanted to make sure to take a card from Davide D’Onofrio, the owner and manager of the catering service, as the food was oh-my-god-delicious! Plus I was impressed by their great efficiency and table and room decorations. They were simple, contemporary and yet perfectly sophisticated without being posh. Highly recommended! If you decide to go for Villa Castellaccia for your wedding in Tuscany you will get Davide’s services, as the villa always relies on his company for all events. By the way, Davide also owns his Tuscan restaurant “Il Canovaccio” in Campiglia Marittima, a place I will make sure to visit next time I am in Tuscany.
Finally, the wedding music was excellent. Timed and chosen to perfection by the DJ set who accompanied all poignant moments from ceremony until the last dance, underlining dinner time with amiable Italian and international music that helped conversations being carried on with total pleasure. Here is the official site of the wedding musicians.
What an evening! What a wedding! I wish they would all be this way!
Here is the link to the official website of Villa Castellaccia.

The map of Villa Castellaccia. Zoom in or visit the full page version for all points of interest.

View Wedding in Tuscany at Villa Castellaccia in a larger map

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Cardoso Holiday House

ClairPhillys — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 21:58:00 +0000

The medieval village of Cardoso in Tuscany is an enchanting, friendly and serene town. It rests away from the chaos of city life amidst the Garfagnana natural setting, where the lush flora creates a dreamy environment for all those looking for peace and relax. The perfect setting for those who want to restore their body rhythms with those of nature.
Nature lovers will find in Cardoso the perfect equilibrium between comforts and an untouched natural environment that preserves a rich wildlife.
Here is one of the true places where to taste genuine Tuscan dishes and great Italian wines. The typical restaurants of the area offer a homely ambient with friendly service, a welcoming atmosphere that will make your stay at Cardoso Holiday House even more pleasant.
The house was restored in 2001. It is located atop the village of Cardoso, in the district of Colle along a quiet road. From here the view is simply astounding. The countryside runs uninterrupted until the horizon meets the sky with an infinite series of rolling hills, woodlands and farmhouses dotting this idyllic landscape of the Serchio valley. This is the beauty that you can witness from the terrace and the garden of the house. The Garfagnana is the greenest part of Tuscany, and is almost entirely untouched.
The house is fully furnished for a comfortable stay. Antique and modern furniture create pleasant interiors with rustic elements and like a fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, and full bathrooms. The whole property is private and very intimate. The interiors accommodate guests in three bedrooms, with two bathrooms, two living rooms with fireplace, the eat-in kitchen and the splendid shaded terrace. Additionally there is a laundry room and a supplemental very large dining room. The garden features a barbecue and a sunbathing terrace.
If you are looking for a thrifty holiday in a real Tuscan home Cardoso Holiday House is the place to book. For pictures, map and to contact the owner directly visit Cardoso Holiday House on ThriftyTuscany.com

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Tuscany B&B Casa Gentili

ClairPhillys — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 01:48:48 +0000

The latest addition to Thrifty Tuscany.com is Casa Gentili. An elegant yet familial stay that offers bed and breakfast or apartment stays, all rentals by owner. This accommodation in Tuscany near Pisa welcomes guests for short term periods and weekly rentals. Here you can organize your events both indoors and outdoors.

Click here to view pictures of Casa Gentili and contact the owner directly!

This Sixteenth century villa gained recognition as an authentic cultural heritage site. It is located in the Tuscan countryside between Pisa and Lucca, in touch with an uncontaminated natural environment and only 15 minutes from the main transportation arteries. The Gentili family manages the property since 1911 to offer a homelike resort in Tuscany and a great attention to your needs.
The building presents its facade facing southwards. It is characterized by a double stone staircase and it has been preserved intact in its original structure. It develops on three floors, each one of 300 square meters. All areas are characterized by very simple architectural lines. Some portions of the property, such as as the entire second floor, the barn, and the cellar, have remained unchanged for over a century, constituting a rare occasion to feel what was really like a Tuscan farmhouse and the way of living. A true step back in time. The ground floor accommodates the B&B, the first floor is the residence of the owners, while the second is used sparingly. Therefore you are sure to stay at a very intimate hotel in the Tuscany countryside.
The interiors have all been restored preserving their original feel and furnished only with family furniture. Total capacity is 6 people.
The property is surrounded on three sides by a garden of 5000 square meters and includes a barn and a shed on its estate. The quiet garden is an excellent place for relaxing. A small fleet of old-style bikes is at guest disposal, while a condensed international library accompanies those who cannot relax without a good book.
When the weather permits, breakfast is served in the garden on a large cedar wood table carved out of an ancient plant that used to shade the garden.
The garden at Casa Gentili preserves corners of hidden beauty amidst a well tended environment that includes tall trees, groves of laurel and rustic masonry works.
Tuscany farmhouse and bed and breakfast Casa Gentili is located 5 minutes from the Pisa highway and just 15 minutes from Pisa international airport.

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Renewed Camping in Siena

ClairPhillys — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:15:18 +0000

After many years under the same management, the Siena camping has opened again after a two year period during which it underwent profound changes and renovations that brought it at European standards without altering the beauty of its setting fully immersed in nature. Yet it sits in the heart of the city of Siena. The new opening was on April 1st, 2009 and it still is the only camping in the city of Siena and also the only one in an area of many kilometers, with Camping Le Soline near Casciano di Murlo as the closest one.
The camping in Siena also offers an excellent location with views over the city of the Palio and of the Chianti hills at its back. It is well connected to the city center that is only two and a half kilometers away, while the train station is just one and a half away. Of course there is a public bus service that runs every 20 minutes to both the center and the station. The camping also offers plenty of services as to function as a completely self sufficient unit inside the town: a very useful feature for those that do not feel like wondering the city to find a convenient and not too expensive place to eat. On the campsite you will find a well furbished mini market (in any case a large supermarket is at less than a kilometer away), a pizza restaurant also serving local and international dishes, and a nice sunny bar where to have breakfast, hang out listening to good music and chill out with a glass of wine in the evening. The large swimming pool is located at the heart of the camping, equipped with parasols and sun beds, and a very cool pool bar. All the restrooms in the camping have been renovated and are extremely refined with marble tops and heating for colder months.
Another new feature of the Siena camping are the mobile homes that offer an extremely comfortable alternative to the usual tent at very competitive prices. There are mobile homes for two and four to five people, all with restroom. The larger ones feature a fully functional kitchen with living room, full bathroom, and outdoor private area with table or even a full roofed deck. Some of the homes also feature wheelchair access and facilities. The thick foliage of the many trees of the camping offers the natural shelter from summer heat spells.
Siena camping is the ideal location for visiting the city but also for a holiday in Tuscany. The towns of Montalcino, Montepulciano, Monteriggioni, San Gimignano are just one hour away by car.
The official website is Camping Colleverde. On the site you will find a video produced by the new management of the camping that will give you a more realistic picture of this camping in Siena, Tuscany.

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Pisa Hills Wine Roads

ClairPhillys — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 01:40:46 +0000

Click to enlarge

In Tuscany wine roads clearly indicate to the visitor where he or she will find a welcoming hospitality, mainly in farmhouses, providing information on the services available and ensuring that accommodations adhere to established quality standards.
In the immediate vicinity of Pisa, in a rural and very varied area, wine passionates can find the Pisan Hills Wine Road. It is a very accessible route that is easily traveled with means that are alternative to cars and more eco-friendly, like bikes. Rolling plains leave space to hills covered with ancient woods of chestnut trees and typically Tuscan vegetation, that with the change of the seasons characterize the landscape with striking effects.
It is a pleasant route with a mild climate even in winter. The visitor can choose to stay at any of the many farmhouses that dot these hills where to depart from to explore the many aspects of this wonderful wine and food road in the heart of Tuscany.
Any seasons holds something to discover along the way, each time uncovering a different attractive. Here the relationship with wine is expressed not only through tastings, but also visiting vineyards and their wineries, pairing typical dishes to great wines, or even participating to cultural events that are held in towns along this Tuscany wine road.
The territory around Pisa offers plenty of towns and historic centers where artistic treasures are preserved and attract thousands of tourists each year from all over the world. In addition there are even smaller villages that provide unique emotions. To discover them you need to travel the countryside along the wine roads. It is the case of towns like La Rotta, Terricciola, Lorenzana, Casciana Terme, San Miniato, Lari, Crespina, Peccioli Laiatico, Fauglia,Palaia and Chianni encountered on the path of the Pisan Hills Wine Route.
Going from Cenaia to Chianni
Enter this section of the wine road from the Cucigliana-Lorenzana route that you get in Cascina. Continue south through vineyards and farms Cenaia. The route passes rapidly from a lush countryside to gentle slopes covered with forests, reaching Crespina then Tripalle, Fauglia, Acciaiolo, Luciana and Laura , small towns of particular charm. In the same way you get to Lorenzana, an ancient Etruscans and Roman site. From here you enter the heart of the Pisan Hills. Continue this pleasant ride until Bagni di Cascina with a high concentration of accommodations. This is an antique center of ancient health spas for beauty and therapeutic treatments. From Casciana take the road of Montevaso for 8 miles, pass the small village of Rivalto and finally arrive in Chianni, a town of Etruscan origins. This trail is of particular natural interest, and an excursion in the woods is particularly recommended. Shortly here you will find more Tuscany wine roads.

Here is a list of wine farms along this section of the Pisa Hills Wine Road:
Tenuta Il Pino (capannoli), Cantine Gini s.a.s. (Cenaia), Cantina delle Colline Pisane (Crespina), Fattoria di Celaja (Crespina), Fattoria Poggio al Casone (Crespina), Fattoria La Tana (Crespina), Tenuta Agricola Torre a Cenaia (Crespina), I Giusti & Zanza Vigneti (Fauglia), Fattoria Uccelliera (Fauglia), Formaggi della Famiglia Busti (Fauglia), Tenuta Giustiniani (Fauglia), Tenuta Poggio alla Farnia (Fauglia), Cantina Volpi in S. Ermo (Casciana Terme)

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Easter in Tuscany Last Minute

ClairPhillys — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:22:12 +0000

Easter 2010 is on April 4th, and you may have waited until today to get your last minute Tuscany offer at a special price. Spending your Easter in Tuscany is always a wonderful idea, and this year especially it seems there will be wonderful weather to accompany your holidays.
Waiting to let prices go down is usually a smart move as can get you where you want to go for less. You are lucky! Here is a series of last minute offers for your Easter in Tuscany that will make you and your family happy. There are offers for all kinds of needs: private villas for any group size, and apartments and rooms for two or more people and families. Splendid Tuscany self catering accommodations at special prices are not so easy to find, especially in requested areas like Siena, Arezzo, Lucca, and Montepulciano.
First of all you need to check out the absolutely special offers of Relais Il Fienile, on the wonderful Arezzo hills. You can find more information on this property here and learn more on the property’s special offer here.
A lovely property that presents a special offer for Easter in Tuscany is Camere San Martino in Montepulciano near Siena, a lovely Tuscan town and an all time favorite, wonderful in early spring with all the fruit trees blossoming. The property offers 10% last minute discounts on stays of more than three nights.
Until May 15th, 2010 the wonderful Tuscany castle Castello del Poggiarello di Stigliano near Siena offers the great 15% discount on all stays. Take advantage of this wonderful property in Tuscany, it is an authentic medieval castle divided into charming Tuscany apartments of various sizes and prices, with great comforts and service.
Until June 30th, 2010 Bio Agriturismo Il Vigno offers 10% discounts on all rentals. This organic farming property near Arezzo in Caprese Michelangelo produces many local foods that you will be able to enjoy at your table or bring home with you. Its lovely bedrooms and ambients will enchant you and give you unforgettable moments in Tuscany.
The private villa in Tuscany Cardoso Holiday House offers a 10% last minute discount on all rentals. Located near Lucca in Cardoso, a wonderful town where every spring you can admire the double sunset phenomenon, this villa is divided into rooms and apartments for additional privacy of its guests. The friendly owners and comfort of its interiors make of this property the ideal last minute offer in Tuscany.
Easter is coming fast, do not let these Tuscany last minutes pass you by!

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