Tuscany Unplugged

Chianti Fiorentino e Senese

marzia — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 18:41:22 +0000

Fields and Vineyards, cypress trees, forests, isolated villages and roads that follows the joyful morphology of this land proud of its pedigree. Chianti is a geographical area between Firenze and Siena and it’s divided in Chianti Fiorentino and Chianti Senese . This is the fruit of a farming culture rooted in history, linked to the local architecture and landscape which man handiwork has made this a garden.The great wines here are our companions during the beautiful walks(and wine tastings?) in the country side that changes every hill we across;Easy to moderate ( T to E). Details of traditional dishes,local traditions and places to stay will be given under request of information.

Central-South Tuscany, Maremma

marzia — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 18:39:57 +0000

The volcanic origins of Monte Amiata ( southest Mountain in Tuscany 1738 meters high))come to light at the thermal springs in bagno Vignoni and Bagni San Filippo ; these springs have been enjoyed since roman times.Water rises up from adepht of 1000 metres and reach the surface at 52° C,flowing into a big pool. Due to its concentration of magnesium solphate and calcium solphate, the water is considered curative for disorders of the skin, bones and rheumatics. There are few natural spring resorts in some other rural areas of Tuscany,like Saturnia, Calidario, Casciana and many others among great walks in val di Farma, rated easy to moderate ( T to E). Details of traditional dishes,local traditions and places to stay will be given under request of information.

Val D’Orcia

marzia — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 18:38:09 +0000

In the heart of Sienese countryside there is an harmonic landscape. It’s made up of hills, ravines, cypress trees that crown hilltops in perfect isolation or run along country roads with geometrical precision. Oak woods, olive trees, and vineyards where Brunello di Montalcino and other great wines are part of this area story. Trails, paths and dirtroads let you take your time and enjoy what you see. Walks here are easy to moderate level( T to E). Details of traditional dishes,local traditions and places to stay will be given under request of information.

Le Cinque Terre

marzia — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 18:36:40 +0000

We are in Liguria Region,just north of Tuscany; this is one of the most beautiful excursions along the coastline in Italy; visit to the villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore along the coastline. The environment is unique; hills with sharp cliffs on the Ligurian sea, terrace cultivations, olive groves and veg gardens, oranges and lemon trees, cactus and agavis almost everywhere down on the cliffs,mediterranean bushes and the total absence of cars between one village and the next one. In the past it was possible to reach these villages by boat only. This tour could be done in few days organizing great sea food lunches and couzy hotels or B&B. Details of traditional dishes,local traditions and places to stay will be given under request of information.

Alpi Apuane National Park

marzia — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 18:34:59 +0000

As a whole, are one of the biggest kastic area of Europe. The sharp and high peaks of these mountains make them appear like the real Alpi Mountains; the marble mountains, the well known Carrara marble, used by Michelangelo, Canova and more recently by Moore. But these mountains are more beautiful to be explored by foot, with their peaks, deep gorges, just in front of the sea and in a still wilde environment. If you’d love to see how this marble is worked by contemporary artists we’ll visit the little town of Pietrasanta and artists lab. Walks could be modelled from moderate to challenging ( E, EE – EEA) Waiting for the sunset on top of one mountain in front of the Ligurian sea ……. Details of traditional dishes,local traditions and places to stay will be given under request of information.

Arcipelago Toscano National Park

marzia — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 18:25:09 +0000

They are made of magma rocks, lava and sediments revealing the complex geologic process that lead to the creation of thearchipelagos. This park offers a tight net ofpatway for trekking and mountain bike ; botanical rarities and evocative spots,white sands beaches, blue crystal water and high granite cliffs…what else? Details of traditional dishes,local traditions and places to stay will be given under request of information.

Tuscany National Park

marzia — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 18:21:51 +0000

In Tuscany there few national Parks quite different for kind of environment, geography position, geology, as flora and fauna. Some are high in the Apennines Mountains betweenTuscany and Emilia Region and this park boasts an extraordinary variety of landscapes as well as several fauna specimens such as wolves, mouflons, roes, golden eagles, different kind of falcoons and botanic rarities. Walks (and Mountain bike) here are moderate to challenging level (E to EE). Details of traditional dishes,local traditions and places to stay will be given under request of information.

Alta Val D’ Era / Val di Cecina e colline metallifere

marzia — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 18:20:03 +0000

Great walks to reach medieval villages and old fortresses surronded by sweet round hills cultivated with wheat, hay,grains,olive trees and vineyards:the higher hill of Volterra with its Balze ( cliffs) stands to remember how important and powerful was till the Unification of the Great Duchy of Tuscany where almost all the Tuscany towns and villages lost their power to be part of the Duchy. Walks are very relaxing and peaceful ,most of local people don’t speak english butwill be warm and happy to welcome you all, andoften we meet old locals happy to share some of their knowledge with us.

It’spossible to organize Olive’s picking for those interested to do a tour in November / Dec. or Classic music tour inJulyat Querceto castle. Within this area we will walk across the Teatro del Silenzio, the open theatre created by the singer Andrea Bocelli, who is native of these lands and we can taste a good glass of wine from his brother wine cellar. There are also good quality & luxury lodges, Agriturismos,B&B in the area. Details of traditional dishes,local traditions and places to stay will be given under request of information.

Elba Island

marzia — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 18:09:38 +0000

Very important geological history which contributes to render every corner of this island very different and beautiful; some gulfs are sandy beaches,other high granites cliffs; Chestnut woods, and secular holm-oaks trees and thetypical ” Mediterranean bush” . Mountains ,hills villages, views and spectacuar blu/green transparent water . It’s a mediterreanean island rich in history, prehistoric inhabitants ,of its iron mines , of the piratical invasions , to Napoleon time. Some of the lodges , hotels here are historical…In Elba there are many choices of walks for everybody, from easy to challenging level ( E to EE) ; we can walk near by the blu sea or up to the mountains and valleys enjoing the great views offered. Details of traditional dishes,local traditions and places to stay will be given under request of information.

Etruscan Coast Itinerary + Elba Island

marzia — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 17:47:28 +0000

Some of the oldest Etruscan sites,the crystal seawater, the medieval villages, the Natural parks , the excellent wines areas, natural spa, make this part of Tuscany unique every season of the year ; The environment is very rich, botanical oases, sanctuaries for fauna, woods and tick pine trees forests.The countryside is crossed by the prestigiuos “Strada del Vino” (Wine Route) characterized by noble wines and very old olive trees .This part of Tuscany is also full of artistic, cultural and architectural treasures due to the crossroads of people and cultures at the sea and from the port of Livorno. Rocky cliffs, rich soil rounded hills mixed with long sand beaches and pine tree forests make this area a great combination for walks which are usually easy to moderate ( T to E ) difficult level. Details of traditional dishes,local traditions and places to stay will be given under request of information.