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accommodation tuscany Italy
Farmhouse accommodation is particularly good for families, thanks to the
relaxing and restful settings, the open spaces for children to run
around in and for the opportunity they give to witness farming and
agriculture first hand.
Farmhouse accommodation can provide the most
thrilling and unexpected experiences like watching a chick being born,
the first attempts of a foal or lamb to stand up on its feet, taking
part in grape harvesting or in olive crushing, safely observing how
honey is collected from a beehive, making cheese or salting ham. These
are all activities that help develop and reinforce, both in children as
well as in many adults, an awareness of the origins of food and an
understanding of the laws of nature. For this reason a farm holiday has
an important educational value and is a precious means for establishing
a sense of collaboration and satisfaction in “accomplishing tasks
together”. This is a concept which is too often lost in today’s
frenzied pace of life. The farmhouse accommodation particularly interested in welcoming
families with pets and providing demonstrations and educational
experiences based on agricultural activities must satisfy certain
regulated requirements: the guests must be put up by the owner or by a
member of the family; first-hand accounts attesting to the family and
farm history; an educational programme both for adults and children on
the activities on the farm and for the discovery of the surrounding
area must be provided (with educational and support material); there
must be sufficient space both inside and outside; the farm must be
quipped with everything necessary for practical training and lessons;
pets must be allowed in the guests’ area and in communal spaces; a
fenced area for guests’ dogs and information on the veterinary services
available in the area must be made available to guarantee the
well-being and the health of pets.
Italy: Villages and traditions
There are countless tours and itineraries to be followed in Italy,
allowing visitors to explore small towns and villages that seem frozen
in time and where one can still enjoy an authentic experience. Ancient
villages are like gems set in timeless landscapes that still maintain
their original characteristics - where the locals carry out activities
from times past and transmit a sense of warmth with their friendliness
and hospitality. Visitors can take their time discovering artisan
traditions and typical food and wine, in small, intimate environments,
where there are spacious areas and relaxing atmospheres.
But Italy offers much more. The secret landscapes that can be
revealed when touring the different regions are absolutely
one-of-a-kind, with natural landscapes wild in one area and subtle and
relaxing in the next -spellbinding views of the mountains, hills
guarded by historical castles in the midst of vineyards, romantic
lagoons, and the sea with a myriad of colours that never cease to
dazzle your eyes. Amidst this nature, visitors can find monuments,
churches, and common or aristocratic buildings that all display a
unique appeal. Whether by car, motorcycle, or any other means, going
off the beaten tourist trails, people can visit the lesser-known towns
and find the true meaning of "Italian lifestyle", letting nothing but
their curiosity lead them.
Tuscany
Florence alone would be enough to fall in love with this region.
Harmony and art are revealed in every corner of the city, from the
imposing Cathedral of Filippo Brunelleschi, to the Bell Tower initiated
by Giotto and completed by Andrea Pisano and Talenti. Its grace shows
through in the splendid noble palaces, like Palazzzo Vecchio in Piazza
della Signoria, where Vasari glorified the splendour of the Medici
family, Palazzo Pitti which reveals the economic power of the
Florentine bankers of hte time. The greatest works of art of Florentine
Renaissance, such as the "Birth of Venus" and "Spring" by Botticelli,
the works of Leonardo and Raffaello, including the famous
self-portrait, can be admired at the Uffizi Museum.
Tuscany's authentic beauty, however, is certainly more than what's
reflected in this refined city of the Medicis. Other cities similarly
deserve a visit, such as Siena, with its Piazza del Campo, the setting
of the city's renowned Palio, Pisa with its Leaning Tower and the
Baptistery; Arezzo with the Pieve di Santa Maria and Leghorn with its
old fortress. The so-called "Toscana Minore," or Lesser Tuscany, is
also extremely interesting. It is more laid-back and discrete, but
still fascinating, dotted with small villages with a medieval
atmosphere such as San Gimignano, Fiesole, Volterra and Montepulciano.
And fascinating are numerous Tuscan seaside resorts: from the
eternal beaches of Versilia, the summer holiday queen, which by day
offers super-equipped bathing establishments and, in the evening,
scintillating nightlife, to more exclusive beaches on the islands of
Elba, and the small jewels of Isola del Giglio, Giannutri, Pianosa,
Scoglio d'Africa and Montecristo.
Obviously, any self-respecting Tuscan holiday requires a visit to
the coast of the Argentario or the heart of the wild Maremma, for those
who want a holiday that combines nature with history and art. On the
other hand, those who want to keep fit should leave time for a relaxing
massage and treatments in the hot spring waters of Saturnia (Grosseto)
and Bagno Vignoni (Siena).
Tuscany is also synonymous with prestigious wine - not only Chianti
- to be tasted while walking through the hills of the region, across
vineyards and ancient towns. A special thought goes also to the
production of oil, with its "fruity" taste, perfect on typical Tuscany
dishes, such as bread and black cabbage soup and "flask-cooked" beans. Tuscany: General information
Tuscany
extends over the heart of central Italy. The capital city is Florence,
which is almost 300 km from Rome, the Italian capital. It has a surface
area of 22,992 sq.km, with over 3 ½ million inhabitants and a density
of about 155 inhabitants per sq. km. Despite the fact that it is
surrounded by the Apennines, with imposing, mountainous massifs, the
region is mainly hilly and has vast plains. Tuscany is especially known
for the works of art present in its cities and for the beauty of its
landscape. Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Pistoia, Prato, Massa, Arezzo,
Grosseto, Livorno are the capitals of the provinces.
What does Tuscany offer?
Florence
alone would be enough to promote this region as one of the most-loved
destinations by tourists throughout the world. But Tuscany also means
Siena with its Piazza del Campo and the legendary Palio; Pisa with her
Leaning Tower and the Baptistery; Arezzo with her Parish of St. Mary;
Livorno with its old fortress; Lucca with her historical walls; Chianti
with her sweetness and the traditional viticulture. Also extremely
fascinating is the so-called Minor Tuscany, scattered with little
villages of a medieval atmosphere: San Gimignano, Fiesole, Volterra and
Montepulciano. Pienza, daughter of the Renaissance, the historically
rich beaches of the Versilia, the unique natural jewels of the Elba
Island and of the entire Tuscan archipelago. Without forgetting the
coasts of the Argentario or the wild heart of the Maremma, rich with
agritourism resorts. For fitness lovers, on the other hand, are
massages and treatments among the hot waters of the spas of Saturnia
(Grosseto) or those of Montecatini (Pistoia), to regenerate both mind
and body.
Maremma south Tuscany:
land of nature and peace offers lush landscapes and numerous nature reserves
Today,
more than ever, the Maremma in south Tuscany is the perfect choice for the romantic
traveler. It offers a mixture of ancient civilizations, enduring local
traditions, lush landscapes and numerous nature reserves. All of this
is accompanied by an outstanding culinary and wine-making tradition.
Each
visit to the Maremma is a new experience with new discoveries. There
are long stretches of fully equipped beaches of fine sand accompanied
by lush pine forests, tiny coves with sweet sounding names and
crystal-clear water, deserted beaches against natural havens,
uncontaminated islands in an enchanted sea, villages and castles that
are austere and festive at the same time, gentle landscapes brimming
with history and natural wonders.
The Maremma also means being among
people who have always gathered the fruit of the land and enjoyed being
together in every season; a special and inviting atmosphere for the
visitor at all times of the year.
The coast boasts of modern tourist
ports and professionally organized scuba diving schools that are
attended by diving enthusiasts throughout the year. At the same time,
antique skills have not been forgotten and are still practiced by
expert maestri d'ascia (boat builders) who transmit their great love
and respect for the sea through their antique art.
You can breathe
the fragrance of the sea and earth all year long in the Maremma thanks
to hiking and mountain bike itineraries that take you to splendid
natural terraces and exhilarating excursions on horseback.
Few other
parts of Italy have so many charming villages so easily and quickly
reachable from the coast. Often these villages have their origins in
the Etruscan or Roman civilizations or are veritable gems of Medieval
architecture.
Yet another aspect of the Maremma is its
extraordinarily rich culinary tradition with both sea and inland
specialties, accompanied by the Mediterrenean aroma of its olive oil
and famed DOC wines.
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