tips for trips

Vinci
The small medieval village Vinci is famous as place of birth Leonardo’s, one of the biggest genius from the Renaissance. As a contemporary from Michelangelo, Botticelli and Giotto he was not only well-known as highly gifted painter (Mona Lisa), but also as researcher, inventor, building master and an engineer.
Also today Vinci still retained itself its rural character. Surrounded by olive groves which nestle at the south slopes of the Montalbano, interrupted by vineyards, in which the grapes are cultivated, from which the incomparable and delicious Chianti is produced.
In the medieval castellet of the counts Guidi accommodated, the Museo Leonardino shows one of the most extensive and most original collections of the machines and models of the inventor, technologist and engineer Leonardo. Some smaller museums and private collections, numerous objects of interest, like the birth house of Leonardo in Anchiano, the baptizing church Leonardo’s Santa Croce and many visit-worth churches and architectural monuments in the environment offer varied trip possibilities. Vinci and environment are ideal starting points for travels into the most important art and culture cities of Tuscany such as Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Pistoia, Siena, San Gimignano and to the sea side.
Friends of nature will find marvellous moving ways and Biker routs in the protection area of the Montalbano and in the nearby marshland of the Padule of Fuccecchio. In the small town there are numerous restaurants, Bars as well as small shops.

Florence
Is not only biggest city of Tuscany but also has the highest number of awe inspiring art and cultural treasures. The cathedral, the third largest in Italy after the ones in Rome and Milan with the impressive dome and the elegant campanile designed by Giotto are famous. You should include ascending it into your programme. The view from the top over town, the river Arno and the surrounding hilly landscape is stunning. Another must is the visit to the Palazzo Vecchio at the Piazza della Signoria with the statue of David by Michelangelo at the entrance and the Neptune fountain. Of course lovers of art cannot miss a visit to the Ufficio, the world’s most famous art museum. But not all on one day or you will have an overdose of culture!

Florence is a very vivacious town with elegant shops, beautiful cafes and restaurants and also abundant tourists. We recommend taking the train to Florence, which you can for example board in Empoli. From the main station in Florence you comfortably reach the historical centre of town with the shops on foot in a few minutes. Most shops are closed on Sundays and at lunchtime. Distance to Vinci approximately 40 kilometres.

Siena
Medieval cultural centre with cathedral and the Campo, the central square enclosed by cafes and restaurants where “one” meets. Here the famous Palio, a spectacular horse race takes place. The cathedral, an important tourist attraction is considered to be the most beautiful gothic building in Italy. You can walk in a few minutes to the historical town centre from extensive parking areas, for example next to the Fortezza. If you have more time you can take theexpressway through the picturesque Chianti. Driving the Chiangiana (SS222), that starts south of Florence, you will experience first range the hilly landscape dominated by vineyards of the Chianti vine and the origin of Gallo Nero. I recommend a short stop in Chianti and a stroll through the pretty Castellina. The Chiangiana road leads you directly to the gates of Siena. Distance to Vinci via the expressway approximately 60 kilometres.

Pistoia
More than most towns in Tuscany Pistoia has preserved the dark atmosphere of medieval times. The austere beauty of the historical town centre with numerous squares, churches and palaces waits to be discovered. Market is held on Wednesday and Saturday in the old part of town, while a vegetable market takes place daily in a small, well preserved square with many grocery stores of high quality. Parking areas are available outside the town centre; they are well signposted and charge a fee. Distance to Vinci approximately 25km.

Pisa
Who does not know the leaning tower of Pisa? After several years of attempts to „save“ it from falling it has been opened to the public again. But also the other impressive buildings of the historical centre of town bear witness to the long history of this originally Greek centre of trade which once lay directly at the coast. Today Pisa revolves around a very lively University where once in the 16th century Galileo Galilei studied. Long beaches invite to bathe at Marina die Pisa where the Arno flows into the sea and in Tirrenia. Distance to Vinci approximately 50km.

Lucca
Nobody can resist the morbid, nostalgic charme of Lucca. The town could preserve its historical appearance due to the closed city wall which was built in the 16th century and is the largest completely preserved. In the middle of the 19th century Puccini was born in this “town of the hundred churches” and today you will find many elegant shops and boutiques for tourists. It is worth to take a walk through the old streets and across the Piazza Anfiteatro, a former roman arena in which once gladiators fought with lions. Equally rewarding is the cumbersome ascent of the tower Giunigi with its ancient oaks on the roof with a wonderful view of the town and its surroundings. An unusual sightseeing tour is to cycle around on top of the wide city wall where stunning trees grow. In certain intervals small streets lead into town, where it is best to walk or ride a bicycle. You should leave your car outside the city wall. Distance to Vinci less than an hours drive, approximately 40km.

Prato
This town is the third largest in Tuscany and has always owed its wealth and vigour to the textile industry. Although Prato is situated closely to the famous sister town of Florence it is worth a visit. The historical centre of town has almost completely kept it’s medieval appearance. There is an abundance of art treasures and attractive shopping opportunities. For motorists it is advisable to park outside the city walls. Distance to Vinci approximately 35km.

San Gimignano
Is known as the “Medieval Manhattan” or expressed better as the “Town of the beautiful towers”. Of the initially 72 turrets in the 13th century only 25 such monuments of power, discord and pretentiousness of the different houses remained in the 16th century. Those that were left in the 20th century partly were destroyed by German artillery fire in 1944 when the town was re-conquered from the allied troops. At least 15 of these imposing towers remain, one higher than the other. San Gimignano has preserved the medieval appearance until today and deservedly UNESCO declared it a site of cultural heritage. Every year millions of tourists flock into this small town of only 7000 inhabitants. However, it is worth a visit since concentrated in a small area you will find beautiful churches, palaces, museums, and squares adorned with fountains. Parking is outside of city walls, mostly for a fee. Distance to Vinci approximately 45km.

Volterra
In only 30km distance of San Gimignano lies Volterra, a defiant medieval town, surrounded by a city wall stemming from Etruscan times. Churches, squares and museums spaced closely together bear witness of a history extending millenniums. An important Etruscan museum invites those interested in History. Extensive copper deposits were the foundation of the city’s wealth. Today the alabaster deposit is better known and can be bought in all forms and sizes from vases, lamps to mini Michelangelo’s David. Parking is again outside of city walls. Distance to Vinci approximately 60km.

San Miniato
German and San Miniato’s history are so closely linked that up to World War II it bore the epithet “al Tedesco”. Amongst others Friedrich the Second had a castle built of which only the tower remained. In World War II a German officer of all people blew up this remnant of the historical 13th century and since then the town has given up the epithet. The tower was restored and allows a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding landscape, the Montalbano, and the valleys of Elsa and Arno. Situated in an exposed position on a hill San Miniato offers interesting impressions of the past. In small museums evidence of the rich history are exhibited. Pretty bars and pleasant restaurant invite to stay. Annually in November a festival of truffles takes place on weekends where produce of the white truffles found in the region are on offer.

Montecatini Terme
This spa of Tuscany with its splendid thermal baths and palace hotels was a meeting point for Europe’s rich and famous at the turn of last century. The largest health resort in Italy accommodates 1.7 million visitors annually and appropriately the town is dominated by hotels and hydrotherapy baths. Beautiful parks, fashionable shops, cafes and restaurants prevent boredom. Above the town the medieval Montecatini Alto is situated on top of the hill offering a breathtaking view. The square surrounded by bars and restaurants lets you experience the Italian savoir de vivre. You can easily get to Montecatini Alto by car. But an even better experience offers the ride on the rack railway, the Funicolare. Distance to Vinci approximately 20km.

Pinocchio-Park in Collodi
West of Pistoia near Pescia is the old, quaint village Collodi situated on a hill. Most visitors come to view the “Parco di Pinocchio”, which not only interests children. The stories of the famous children’s book are translated into 80 languages and served to make several movies. Who has not seen the colourful puppets with the long noses, that are offered in all shapes and sizes. On their walk through the park small and big visitors experience the exciting world of Pinocchio. Distance to Vinci approximately 30km.

Carrara
Not many names of towns are this closely connected with a product: marble. Without the marble from Carrara there would be no leaning tower of Pisa, not the splendid Italian domes and not Michelangelo’s David. Carrara is the centre of a green basin below the Apuan Alps in which the white quarries can be seen from far. The nostalgic centre of town is explored quickly and there is enough time to pay a short visit to the shore in La Spezia or Viareggio. Distance to Vinci approximately 80km.

beaches
You will find a beautiful free beach near PISA in Migliarino called “Marina Torre di Mare”. Directions: Take the A11 via Montecatini to Pisa Nord. At the turn off go left in direction Pisa for about 2 km then turn right pass below the railway and a few kilometers in direction towards the sea. You will find several stands and beaches. You can take dogs. 
Another way to get there: Via Empoli take the FI-PI-LI (Expressway towards Pisa), pass trough Pisa and then take direction Migliarino. Then follow directions above. You will also find beautiful beaches in Tirrenia and in Viareggio. Distance to Vinci approximately one hour by car.

A further free and extensive beach you will find in TORRE DI LAGO. Start through Empoli: the FI-PI-LI (motorway direction Pisa) to the highway A 12 direction Genova up to the exit “Torre di Lago”. At Torre di Lago the first traffic light left – underpass the railway and follow the main street to the beach “La Pineta”. On the left you will find parking lots. From Montecatini or Pistoia please follow the highway A 11 direction Pisa and the A 12 direction Genova, further like above.
Distance: from Vinci a good hour with the car.

Swizzerland of Pescia
Two valleys run North of Pescia; they are called La Svizzera Pesciatina. Thick forests made of deciduous trees and conifers, hills and mountains, small roads and isolated villages show an unusual side of Tuscany. All characteristic villages formed like castles, the castella, were founded around the year 1000, are surrounded by a wall and situated on top of a strategically important hill. You start at Pietrabuona, Medicina, Fibbialla, Aramos, Soran and Castevecchio with it’s roman church dedicated to Saint Thomas follow. After Stiappa comes the terraced Pontito, which is the northernmost castle village with steep steps as paths and roads that wind around concentrically. In Vellano, Svizzera Pesciatina’s major village you can enjoy the last panoramic view of the scenery. A daytrip from Vinci and surroundings.

Abetone - mountains of Pistoia
Wo die Toskana an die Emilia-Romagna grenzt, führt die Ximeniana (oder Strada del Brennero, SS12) über den Abetone-Paß Richtung Modena, und über die SS64 gelangt man nach Porretta Terme und Bologna. Diese Verbindungen durch den Apennin sind schon von alters her Handelswege und Heerstraßen – Hannibal soll mit seinen Elefanten nordöstlich von Abetone den Apennin überquert haben.
Da die Pistoieser Berge richtige Berge sind – der höchste, der Cimone, bringt es immerhin auf 2165 m – hat sich hier ein wichtiges Wintersportgebiet entwickelt. Der am äußersten Zipfel der Toskana gelegene Abetone (1388 m) ist der bedeutendste Wintersportort Mittelitaliens. Seit 1936, nachdem die ersten Skifahrer gesichtet wurden, hat sich der Abetone zu einem Skizentrum mit 40 Pisten, Skischulen, Liften und als Austragungsort internationaler Wettbewerbe entwickelt.
Im Sommer zieht diese waldreiche Gegend zahlreiche Wanderer und Sommerfrischler an, die der Hitze in der Ebene entkommen wollen.

Entfernung von Pistoia 50 km, von Pisa 85 km und von Modena 96 km.

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