Guides / Things to do
Things to do
Walks, lakes, hot springs, parks, markets, films and other things to do, beyond a single day-trip itinerary.
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Famous films shot in Tuscany, and the villages you’ll actually find
Where they really filmed A Room with a View, Life is Beautiful, Under the Tuscan Sun, Gladiator, The English Patient and Twilight: New Moon,…
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From the Apuan hills to Bolgheri: a wine trail along the northern coast
A coastal wine trail from the little-known Candia hills above Massa and Carrara down to Bolgheri and its cypress avenue, with booking tips and…
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Tuscany’s lakes: where to swim, walk and wander
Which Tuscan lakes you can swim in, which are better for birds and walks, and how to get there, with a word on Vagli's…
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Cycling from Lucca: the bike path to Pisa and rides beyond the walls
Bike hire in Lucca with real prices, the ride to Pisa with the train back, the Serchio and Puccini paths, Garfagnana climbs, e-bikes, and…
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A Tuscan art trail: from Lucca’s churches to Piero della Francesca
Tuscany's art isn't all in the Uffizi. My art trail starts close to home in Lucca, Pistoia, Prato and Pisa, then heads to Florence…
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Tuscany in Bloom: when and where to see the flowers
I was sure I’d written about this before. Apparently not. So here it is, the post I should have written years ago. When I…
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Walking in the Svizzera Pesciatina: the CAI paths between the ten castles
Walking above Pescia: the CAI paths linking the Dieci Castella, from Pescia to Medicina, Sorana to Pontito and San Quirico to Aramo, with safety…
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Tuscany’s wine villages: Chianti, Montalcino and Montepulciano
A friendly guide to Tuscany's wine villages: Greve and the Chianti Classico towns, Montalcino and Brunello, Montepulciano and Vino Nobile, plus tasting tips.
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Pisa beyond the Leaning Tower
Pisa beyond the Leaning Tower: Keith Haring's Tuttomondo, Santa Maria della Spina, Piazza dei Cavalieri, the ancient ships museum and the botanic garden.
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Lucca’s walls by bike
How to cycle the walls of Lucca: 4.2 km of tree-lined path on top of the Renaissance walls, where to hire a bike, the…