Archive for 'Localities'

If you’re wandering through the scenic province of Massa Carrara in Northwest Tuscany then be sure to spare a few hours to explore the charming walled town of Fivizzano! It was part of the Republic of Florence during the 15th century which helped it to get a steady foot in play for the important area of Lunigiana which was a thriving place of trade via land and sea.

There are lovely attractions to see during your visit to Fivizzano. Begin your tour in Piazza Medicea where there is a superbly designed fountain in the centre. Visit the intriguing Fivizzano museum of printing located inside Palazzo Fantoni Bononi which honours the ground breaking work of Jacopo da Fivizzano.

Stop off for a day in the hilltop village of Fosdinovo, built upon a mountain overlooking the spectacular Tuscan coast in Massa Carrara province. From the Middle Ages onwards, Fosdinovo prospered thanks to the powerful Malaspina family who lived in a fortressed castle.

They established strong trading ties across sea and land and attracted business due to the castle’s proximity to the famous pilgrim route to Rome called Via Francigena.

Stay in a fabulous villa rental in Rometta, which is located only nine kilometres from Fosdinovo.

If you’re holidaying in Tuscany around the 16th of June this year then book into a stunning beautiful rental accommodation in the Pisa area and witness a magical event called the ‘Luminara of San Ranieri’ in Pisa city!

As the sun sets over Pisa, a new light emerges… the city is beautifully lit up by hundreds of thousands of candles to commemorate the city’s Patron Saint, San Ranieri. The tradition is believed to have originated around 1688 when a simple urn containing the ashes of San Ranieri in a local cathedral were transferred to a more decorative modern urn by order of the Grand Duke of Tuscany.


A procession of faithful Christians with candles walked along with the urn’s transfer as a mark of respect. This sparked the illumination festival which transforms the city of Pisa into a glittering paradise!

Special white wooden frames are attached to the frames of Pisa’s building windows, bridges, churches and street lamps, and are lit up by small glass lamps of burning candles or oil called ‘lumini’ to illuminate their architectural magnificence. One of the most mesmerising traditions of Pisa during this celebration is to place floating lit candles in the River Arno which flows through the city.

The colourful fishing town of Porto Santo Stefano in Monte Argentario is a beautiful sight to behold on your vacation to Southern Tuscany. Porto Santo Stefano was an unfortunate frequent target of attack from menacing pirates until the Spaniards seized control of Monte Argentario and fortified it.

Military structures dot the hills and rugged coastline around the town where the keen eyes of trained lookouts spotted trouble from long distances and could effectively alert and protect the town from danger.

The vibrant town of Porto Ercole is situated on the eastern promontory of Monte Argentario which juts out on the Tuscan coastline.

Monte Argentario was once an island but several thousand years ago two strips of land called tombolos were formed by waves and tides pushing sand together and upwards above the water’s surface.

These two strips connected the island to the mainland and since then its two main towns have become popular tourist spots to visit. Porto Ercole is the most popular tourist hub with its stylish shops and classy restaurants. It’s also renowned as being one of the finest nightlife districts in the Maremma!