CASCIANA TERME (SPA)

8 km far, less than 10 minutes by car.
Tuscany is a land rich in thermal waters and hot springs, thanks to its particular geological conformation and its layers of volcanic origin. Casciana Terme is more than a 1000 year old spa. Its origin is legendary and dates from the age of Matilde di Canossa, whose name was given to the thermal water, Acqua Matelda. The hot spring spouts at a uniform temperature of 37,5° C; it is rich in mineral salts and carbon dioxide which is used to heal arthritis and rheumatism and recently also used for physical therapy, for cardiovascular treatments and for improving circulation in general. The spa has a big thermal water outside pool of 500 square meters.

CASTELFALFI (GOLF)

Only 30 km far, and 35 minutes by car.
For those who are keen on golf, in Tuscany there is a golf green with 18 holes, instructors and target courses very close to the beautiful Castelalfi Estate. It is the ideal place for a relaxing trip in one of the most breathtaking landscapes in all of Tuscany and for playing golf during your stay. The green with 18 holes for a length of 6.645 m, PAR 73, is suitable for amateurs and professionals, as well as forbeginners, because it is completed by a target course, practice green and bunker where the school arranges group or individual lessons with professional instructors.

VOLTERRA

Only 32 km far, 40 minutes by car.
Of Etruscan origin, located 500 meters above sea level where two rivers meet, Volterra is one of the most ancient and delightful cities in Tuscany. It flourished during the 3rd century B.C., when it became a Roman settlement. Few cities in the world can offer such a clear picture of the past and of the different cultures that followed each other such as Volterra. Its present beauty is mainly due to the Middle Ages with the surrounding walls dating from the 13th century. Of notable interest are the Cathedral, the town-walls, the Medici Fortress, the Etruscan archaeological sites, and the museums which house collections of the ruins of a very well kept past. The typical handcrafts made in Volterra are well known for their high quality.

CASTIGLIONCELLO (SEA)

Only 32 km far, and 43 minutes by car.
This beautiful small town, rich in history, was already an appreciated tourist spot in the Roman age for the quality of the landscape and of the climate. It is surrounded by beautiful Roman villas located along the coast. Pisan noblemen had a castle built there during the Middle Ages thus giving the actual name to the town, Castinglioncello; the Medicean watch tower, the only part of the castle existing today, can be visited. During the middle of the 19th century it became a favourite spot for painters, especially those from the Tuscan "Macchiaioli" School. Famous actors as well have been attracted to this seaside town; Gassman, Mastrianni and Sordi often stayed for long periods in villas that dot the rocky coastline which dominates the sea from high above and is characterised by small inlets and strands.

PISA (ART CITY)

Only 41 km far, 50 minutes by car.
Pisa, on the Arno River, is of great tourist and artistic interest. The town is small and centers around its main attraction point, the Leaning Tower and the beautiful Piazza dei Miracoli, which are visited every day by tourists from all over the world.

LIVORNO (ART CITY)

Only 45 km far, 53 minutes by car.
Livorno was an ancient Florentine fortress during the Medici period and has maintained a beautiful historical centre dominated by defending walls and by the quarter called "Venezia" which is built on waterways like the lagoon city of Venice. Livorno has a very well equipped tourist port from which ferryboats leave for Corsica and Sardinia.

BOLGHERI (WINE)

50 km far, 53 minutes by car.
Driving south along the Roman road you will come along to one of the most beautiful landscapes in all of Tuscany, low rolling hills tilled and transformed by the work of man. Here you are in the northern part of Maremma, an agricultural area, world renown for its high quality wine production. The peculiar characteristics of this unique landscape has been described in the pages of great literature written by Nobel prize winners, and has remained today intact and perfectly preserved.Wines produced in this area are DOC (Controlled Denomination of Origin) guaranteed by a preservation association. The Bolgheri Castle, the highlight of your trip, is surrounded by several historical estates, each one producing high quality wines – such as Santa Luce, Sassicaia, only to mention the most famous and by high quality restaurants.

ABETONE (TREKKING & SKI)

121 km. 2h and 5 minutes by car.n
Located on the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, 1388 meters above sea level, Abetone is the centre of a very important skiing area. It is the most famous mountain tourist destination in Central Italy with more than 50 Km of ski slopes and 22 lifts; here you will find cross-country courses for a total of 15 Km. In summer it becomes a tourist centre for trekking or mountain biking or just relaxing. The 2 and half hour walk from Boscolungo to Monte Libro Aperto is very evocative and allows to enjoy a "breathtaking" view. This is a border area between two important regional cuisines, the Tuscan and the Emilian ones, rich in its offerings and allowing wonderful discoveries for the palate.

BARATTI (SEA & ARCHAEOLOGY)

72 km e 1 h e 10 min.
Quello di Baratti è uno dei più bei golfi della regione Toscana. Formato da un leggero arco di sabbia, racchiuso ai due lati da splendidi promontori rocciosi, ha alle spalle una secolare pineta. Tutto intorno una sequenza di dune sabbiose ed il meraviglioso paesaggio agricolo della Maremma. Questa terra, un tempo paludosa, e faticosamente bonificata è ricca di particolarità, sia in ambito di tradizioni sia come cucina. Sulla parte alta del golfo, sta la rocca, costruita nella prima metà del XV sec. per difendersi dagli attacchi dei corsari. Adiacente al golfo si trova il parco archeologico che si estende a comprendere una necropoli etrusca e le cave usate al tempo per la lavorazione del ferro.

VIAREGGIO (SEA & CARNIVAL)

83 km. 1h and 10 minutes by car.
This well know town on the sea, with more than a 20 Km strand, offers shopping, relaxing and fun. Exciting summers, typical of the "Dolce Vita", mild and sunny winters, and the season’s highlight, the Carnival. The Carnival, rich in history and tradition, was created in 1873 thanks to the intuition and the imagination of a group of young men as "Carnival Sunday", a parade of chariots. At the end of the century the wooden triumphal floats appeared designed by sculptors and made by carpenters and iron smiths. On every float there was, like there is still today, space for a large number of youngsters to climb on to dance, have fun and enjoy themselves.

SAN GALGANO (HISTORY & FOLKLORE)

97 km, 1h & 35 min
The sword, thrust in a rock emerging from the ground, is in the centre of the Rotonda di Montesiepi. It dates back to the 12th century according to experts’ opinion. A part of the San Galgano Abbey, it has always aroused curiosity and amazement. According to scholars there are some important common points between San Galgano’s history and King Arthur’s legend; both of them dating back to the 12th century with evident and significant analogies between the name Galgano and the name of one of King Arthur’s knights – Galvano. Still today, one is filled with amazement in front of this secret and its challenge.

LE CINQUE TERRE (SEA)

156 km, 2h & 8 min
Five small villages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Menarola, Rio Maggiore. Five miles of rocky coast, very high over the sea, with a unique vista of East Liguria. Here, protected by a mild climate, by dry walls which were built with great patience and reach down to the sea, one of the most valuable wines is cultivated, Sciacchetrà. Everywhere, in restaurants and small trattorias, you can taste the typical food of this region which marries sea traditions with the delightful fruits of the land. The Cinque Terre is protected by UNESCO since 1997 and is also as a National Park; with its very deep sea beds full of fish, it is an authentic masterpiece of Nature. The Cinque Terre can be reached both by a fascinating railway, with several connections to La Spezia, and, in summer, with a daily ferryboat service from La Spezia, allowing to enjoy a spectacular view of the coastline stretching from Portovenere to the Cinque Terre.

RIMIGLIANO-SAN VINCENZO (SEA & NATURE PARK)

64 km, 1 h
Extending over 120 hectares covered by Mediterranean scrub with a strand equipped with life guards in summer, the Nature Park of Rimigliano is located in the southern area of San Vincenzo bordering the towns of Piombino and Campiglia Marittima. There are four environments: the strand, mostly with fine and clear sand, extending for some twenty –thirty meters into the sea is ideal for swimming, a first area with dunes, then a damp area, residual of an old coast lagoon, and finally a second dune area with pine-woods

FIRENZE

85 km 1h 30 minutes by car.
The mediaeval centre, mostly still intact and perfectly conserved was built on the former Roman plan, is the heart of the city, and easily walked by foot. Famous palaces and monuments which can be seen on every street have spread Florence’s image world wide and attract millions of visitors every year. Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Santa Croce, Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi with the biggest collection of Renaissance Art, Michelangelo’s David, are just a few of the attractions offered by this town which cannot be missed . Here Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Giotto, Botticelli, Masaccio worked and lived but it is also the place where you can eat a spectacular Florentine steak accompanied by great wine. Florence: a town which delights all the senses.

SIENA

80 km. 1 h 30 minutes by car.
Unique and unto itself, Siena still lives out with a passion one of the craziest and funniest adventures that folklore and tradition has ever handed down. In Piazza Del Campo, on a bumpy and dangerous course, an incomparable horse race is run. The "Palio" is an event involving the "rioni", the town’s historical quarters, each one having its own identifying sign, united behind its horse. Even James Bond, the famous 007 agent, passed by during one of his adventures captured by the atmosphere of this adventurous history. Siena was always rich in commerce and money – the first bank in the world was founded here – is protected by solid surrounding defence walls. From up high it dominates the rolling hills of Chianti offering a spectacular view, a beautiful and evocative rural landscape: mild and sunny bathed hills giving strength to a very intense red wine.