Valentine's Day  Happy Valentine's Day(2008)
From 101lifeStyle.com Valentine's Day Romantic Destinations: Valentine's Day Romantic Regions:  4.Tuscany - Italy: Tuscany is one of the twenty Regions of Italy with its capital being Florence. Tuscany is a region of Central Italy, bordering Emilia-Romagna to the north, Liguria to the north-west, Tyrrhenian Sea to the west, Umbria and Marche to the east, Lazio to the south-east. Tuscany is known for its landscapes and its artistic legacy. Six Tuscan localities have been made UNESCO protected sites: the historical center of Florence (1982), the historical center of Siena (1995), the square of the Cathedral of Pisa (1987), the historical center of San Gimignano (1990), the historical center of Pienza (1996) and the Val d'Orcia (2004).
From the Etruscans to the Romans to the Renaissance, Tuscany is possibly the greatest repository of art in the world, from extraordinary paintings and sculpture to frescoes and architectural masterpieces. Visitors to Tuscany come for many reasons. Many come in search of fine art, others to explore the extraordinary countryside. Gourmets and wine buffs descend on Tuscany to enjoy the simple yet wonderful cuisine and wine. Walkers enjoy the mountain paths, cyclists the rolling hills, summer vacationers the sea coast and islands. Students come to learn the beautiful Italian language and culture. . Things To Do / See:  A.Florence Tours:
Florence has been the backdrop to the birth of men of genius who have designed, sculpted and built one of the most important art cities in the world! Go for Florence City Tours and enjoy as you drive along the romantic Viale dei Colli up to Piazzale Michelangelo and admire the wonderful panorama of Florence. Next, proceed to the old city center and take a walking tour of the Duomo complex, Giotto's bell tower, the Baptistery with its bronze doors including the Porta del Paradiso and the see the Cathedral with the magnificent Cupola del Brunelleschi. A short walk brings you to the world-famous Galleria dell Accademia where you can see David by Michelangelo. You will conclude the tour inside Galleria dell Accademia, or choose to end your morning tour with lunch at a restaurant in the town center. Appreciate the panoramic views of the unparalleled beauty of Florence, taking in Fiesole, a delightful town of Etruscan origin set on the hills overlooking Florence and the Arno Valley. A must see for any visitor to Florence! Next, visit the old city for see the Franciscan Church of Santa Croce (exterior). A short walk through the the heart of Florence brings you to the famous Piazza Signoria, where you can see the imposing Palazzo Vecchio (exterior) and the beautiful Loggia del Lanzi. Next visit the Galleria degli Uffizi to admire the superb paintings of Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello and Giotto. You will conclude the tour inside Galleria degli Uffizi.
 B.Wine Tasting and Chianti:
An important centre of communication between Florence and Siena, positioned in the basin of The Arno. Chianti is an area to be visited, not only for its wine and oil production and wine tasting, but also for the unaltered rural beauty of the chianti hills, the castles like Verrazzano and farms immersed in the green of this generous earth. Alternating woods with vines and olive trees, where Romanesque Churches, farmhouses, Villas and Castles of rare beauty are to be found. The wine tasting tour includes a visit to a place of particular historic and artistic interest in an old village, and of one of the most renowned castle farms with a snack and tasting of its prestigious wines. The tours are carried out in different areas of the Chianti region, and the trip from Florence to Chianti is approximately 40 minutes each way.  C.Art / Museum Tours:
Tuscany houses many musuems with masterpieces by the greatest artists of all time, from Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, to Botticelli, Giotto and Donatello.
In Florence Galleria degli Uffizi is one of the world's top art museums housing some of the most important works of the Renaissance, including Leonardo da Vinci's Annunciation, Giotto's Maestà, Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Allegory of Spring and Michelangelo's only panel painting, the Holy Family. Lots of sculptures too. Most of the rooms you go through have a few masterpieces. Galleria dell'Accademia houses Michelangelo's David, easily the most famous sculpture in the world. Others are Museo Nazionale del Bargello, and Palazzo Pitti.
In Siena, Palazzo Comunale houses the Museo Civico, with masterpieces of the late Gothic Sienese school, and the Torre del Mangia, which offers an extraordinary view of the Piazza del Campo and of Siena.
In Pisa,Museo dell'Opera del Duomo near the Leaning Tower of Pisa, features many artworks from the tower, cathedral and baptistry, including a magnificent ivory carving of the Madonna e Crocifisso by Giovanni Pisano. Another highlight is the bust known as the Madonna del Colloquio, also by Pisano, taken from the exterior of the baptistry.In Volterra,Museo Etrusco Guarnacci displays Roman mosaics and rare examples of Etruscan, Greek and Roman coins and jewelry. Over 600 Etruscan cinerary urns fill dozens of rooms here. The tiny sarcophagi play out in stony relief the Etruscans' views on death, art, and life.  D.Discover Mugello Basin:
A few kilometres from Florence, in the Mugello, we can find traces of history worthy of a great European capital. Along the river Sieve centres of ancient Etruscan and Roman origins and complex foundation rise at close distances. Important buildings and fortresses, castles, villas and palaces remain to testify the development of the Mugello. Moreover, even the cultural and artistic history of Florence finds elements of primacy importance for its development in this area. It is an Apennine land, beautiful and deep, with ridges covered by a great number of beech, chestnut and oak woods; semi-innate valleys cultivated as a harmonious patchwork, crossed by the Sieve river, which seems to take life from the big artificial Bilancino lake. You can opt for cycling tours or Train Trips which will give you an invigorating experience.  E.Castles Of Tuscany:
But one can not pass through this land without being aware of Medieval Tuscany. Castles, fortresses, watch-towers, and town walls appear everywhere. You can begin at the castle of Brolio. This castle was once fought over between Siena and Florence, and originally belonged to the Firidolfi family, and later to the Ricasoli family. Over the last century Bettino Ricasoli enriched the castle with marvellous architectural features. Leaving Brolio, we head towards Gaiole in Chianti, and we arrive at the castle of Meleto. This castle originally belonged to the Abbazia Vallombrosana di Coltibuono and it then passed to the hands of the Firidolfi family in the 13th century. Near Gaiole, we find the castle of Vertine. This castle has been in existence since 1000 and in the 13th century the Ricasoli family were besieged there. Next go on to the Chianti region which is an area in the basin of The Arno, is famous for its ancient castles. Following the Chianti road, we find Verrazzano with its ancient castle and Greve, a small centre famous for Tuscany wine production and it's ancient wine cellars. South west of Radda, from the top of a gently sloping hill, Castellina dominates an ancient holiday town chosen by the Florentines of the Middle Ages who erected buildings that are still used as exclusive tourist residences. On the other side of the hill are San Gimignano with its city walls and 100 towers, a town of extra-ordinary beauty, and Monteriggioni, an ancient fortress built on the hill that still preserves all of its beauty and Mediaeval history.  F.City Hopping:
Pisa: From Florence after a panoramic drive, travel along the Arno embankments to a guided visit of Piazza dei Miracoli. It's easy to find the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, an unequalled masterpiece of Romanesque art carried out between the 11th and 12th centuries. You will visit the Baptistery and other important monuments, including a visit to the Cathedral. Walk to Piazza dei Cavalieri, where you will find Scuola Normale, one of the most famous universities in the world. Founded by Napoleon in 1810, it has been educating students and carrying out research for nearly two centuries.
Siena: Situated 322 m. above sea level in the heart of Tuscany, this town is built on three hills, maintaining intact its medieval appearance characterized by narrow winding streets and noble buildings. Capital of the unofficial province of Chianti, Siena is surrounded on all sides by rolling hills blanketed with emerald-green vineyards. This town is of great environmental and artistic interest with a wealth of important monuments including: Piazza del Campo, one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Italy, Palazzo Pubblico (13th-14th century in Gothic style) overlooked by the bold Torre del Mangia (14th century, 102 m. high) and Palazzo Sansedoni (13th-14th century, altered in the 19th century); in Piazza del Duomo lie the Duomo (12th-14th century), one of the best examples of Gothic in Italy, with beautiful graffito and intarsia flooring, Libreria Piccolomini (in the left aisle, with valuable 16th century frescoes) and the 14th century Baptistry (font by Jacopo della Quercia), the Spedale di S. Maria della Scala (13th-14th century) and the remains of the Duomo Nuovo (14th century).
Lucca: Lucca is a delightful city comprising a grid of Roman roads contained within mighty medieval ramparts. It is home to Puccini, chamber music, Romanesque churches, museums and monuments. Lucca's flat landscape and narrow winding lanes create the perfect conditions for commuting by bicycle as many locals do. The Piazza del Mercato supports what survives of the ancient Roman amphitheatre. Medieval houses frame the square and low archways provide the gateways through which Roman gladiators would have emerged. Some of the city's essential sights include the Duomo, San Michele, San Frediano, Museo Nazionale Guinigi and Torre Guinigi. Casa di Pucini makes an interesting visit for opera lovers, as this 15th century house is a shrine to one of Italy's greatest composers.
Other important cities in the Tuscan Region are Livorno, Pistoia, Arezzo, Prato, Grosseto, Massa, Carrara.  G.Shopping:
Tuscany is known for its leather goods and crystal, terra cotta and lace, but few realize that it is also home to Prada, Gucci, Armani, Fendi, and other factory outlets. The Capital of Tuscany, Florence is a great shopping center.  H.Nearby Trips And Excursions:
The Massaciuccoli Lake(Lucca) - basin and the Macchia Lucchese are a part of the Parco Naturale di Migliarino-San Rossore-Massaciuccoli, which, presents a varied and highly interesting flora as well as a numerous fauna. If you are an opera lover, then you'll want to schedule a pit stop at Torre del Lago to attend one of the many performances of Madam Butterfly, Turandot, Boheme, Tosca and other plays written by Puccini. Lunigiana: The remains of this Roman site can still be seen in the neighbourhood of Sarzana. The Lunigiana is the area of Tuscany between the Apennines in Emilia, the Apuan Alps, the Versilia area and the Gulf of La Spezia. qwThe Lunigiana area has a wealth of castles, Romanesque parish churches and entire hamlets that have been preserved virtually intact and have thus maintained all their original cultural heritage. The hotel facilities include farm holiday offering excellent services and immersed in greenery. Fiesole is a short trip from Florence, a small town it is a good destination for escaping the heat and crowds of the Florence city. San Gimignano is famous for its medieval skyscrapers - fortified towers which were built by the hill-town's competing families. Today San Gimignano is a tourist honey-pot, but is still charming enough to win over the sceptical visitor. To get to San Gimignano from Florence, take a SITA bus or train to Poggibonsi, then change to another bus for the short journey onwards to San Gimignano.  I.Enjoy Tuscany Spa Treatment:
Tuscany , a land full of SPAs and of spring waters known since the Roman times. No matter what part of Tuscany, Italy you are Traveling in, there is some sort of spa treatment available. Here is a list of spas and thermal baths in Tuscany: Bagni di Lucca - Bagni San Filippo - Chianciano Terme - Monsummano Terme - Montecatini Terme - San Carlo Terme - San Casciano dei Bagni - San Giuliano Terme - Terme di Caldana - Terme di Montepulciano - Terme di Petriolo - Terme di San Giovanni - Terme di Saturnia.  J.Enjoy A Romantic Meal:
In Florence, local specialities include steak (bistecca alla fiorentina) and tripe (trippa). Although not a Tuscan dish, the pizza has spread throughout Italy and there are pizzerie in Florence. If you eat pizza, though, make sure it is freshly cooked in a wood oven (forno a legno), not the heated-from-frozen kind you get in some smaller tourist eating places. There are several bars and restaurants situated on picturesque Piazza della Signoria, where you can eat at outdoors tables facing the Palazzo Vecchio. We have also enjoyed a good meal at one of the small restaurants opposite the Pitti Palace. In Florence, just beyond the hordes of tourists in Piazza Santa Croce lies hidden on a narrow street behind an unmarked door. La Giostra is a gem in the center of Florence. Those fortunate to find this private oasis will have their culinary and romantic senses rewarded with the rich flavors of Tuscany.. Ph.: 055-241-341 For a quick, good restaurant meal with no hidden extras in the price, You can try the Pastarito Pizzarito chain. In Florence there is a branch next to Santa Maria Novella Station, at Via Lamanni, 3/5, on your right as you leave the station. Tuscany produces some of the finest Italian wines, mostly reds, the most famous of which is probably Chianti. If you are serious about your wines, pay a visit to an enoteca, where you can taste, enjoy and buy a range of quality wines.  K.Enjoy a Luxury Cruise over River Arno:
You can also enjoy a Tuscan River cruise covering important sights in Florence, Pisa and The Tuscan countryside and Chianti Region. In the hills surrounding Tuscany where they produce the most famous of Italian wines in Chianti drive in for an evening of Tuscan feasting and musical entertainment accompanied, of course by plentiful Chianti wine. How To Get To Tuscany, Italy: There are many reasonably priced flights to Italy, generally to the larger international airports in Milan or Rome. From there it is easy to take the train or rent a car to get to Tuscany. If you live in Europe, it is easy enough to travel overland to Tuscany but there are also good deals with low-cost air companies, such as Ryan Air (to Pisa).
 By Air:
Tuscany has two international airports, the Galileo Galilei International Airport in Pisa and Amerigo Vespucci Airport, also known as Peretola in Florence. Located only 80 km apart, the Pisa airport is the larger of the two airports.... Both airports handle flights to major European cities. Pisa handles the bulk of European scheduled flights so it might be easier to find flights into Pisa.  By Train:
The Italian railway system, run by Trenitalia, is connected with the rest of the European rail system so it is easy to reach Tuscany from locations across Europe and Italy. The main route that passes through Tuscany is through Florence, on the Bologna-Rome line via Arezzo. Another line from Rome hugs the Tyrrhenian sea coast and passes through Grosseto, Livorno, Pisa, Viareggio and on along the coast on its way to La Spezia and Genoa (in Liguria). Florence's main train station is Santa Maria Novella (SMN). You can check timetables on Trenitalia
 By Bus / Coach:
There are plenty of options for reaching Tuscany by bus but services are less frequent and considerably less comfortable than the train. Most have their terminals on or close to the main train station in Florence, Santa Maria Novella. The easiest way to book tickets is through Eurolines, a consortium of coach operators with offices all over Europe. The Florence ticket office can be reached at Tel. 055 357110 and is located at Piazza Adua, in front of the train station.
 By Car:
The main points of entry into Italy are:
- Mont Blanc turnnel from France at Chamonix which connects to the A5 for Turin and Milan
- Grand St. Bernard tunnel from Switzerland which also connects to the A5
- Brenner Pass from Austria which connects to the A22 to Bologna Italy has a good system of highways, as described on the official website of the company that manages the system, Autostrade
Getting Around:
Tuscany is medium-sized region which can be crossed within a few hours. If you are planning on visiting only the main towns in Tuscany, the most convenient way to move around is with the train. About 10 bus companies serve Florence and Tuscany. Most have their terminals on or close to the main train station in Florence. You can also go for car rentals. All the big car rental companies have offices in the main cities and airports in Tuscany. Touring Tuscany by bike has become very popular. There are many companies that organize bike tours, providing the bikes, meals and accommodation along the way. A minimum of good physical condition is required as many parts of Tuscany are hilly. Rhine Region, Germany Hotels:  A.Castello di Gabbiano(castle): Tuscan Castle, situated between Florence and Siena, in the heart of Chianti region the ideal base to explore Tuscany: Castello di Gabbiano. All accommodations are located in the heart of the 100 hectares large estate surrounded by vineyards, olive orchards and wooded areas. The main activity on the estate - wine production - gives our customers a direct look into the fascinating world of wine. The restaurant of the estate ‘’Il Cavaliere’’ is situated up the hill, where visitors can sample the estate’s products in a charming and cozy atmosphere, or during the summer, on the terrace overlooking the Tuscan countryside. Il Cavaliere offers a fine and creative cuisine with ingredients that are typical and traditional to this region.
B.Grand Hotel & La Pace Montecatini Terme: Grand Hotel & La Pace was built in 1870 in the center of Tuscany's Monecatini Terme and within close proximity of the town's historic thermal resort. The hotel has a total of 138 bedrooms and suites all decorated in Art Nouveau style and featuring antiques and exquisite vintage mobilia. The Grand Hotel & la Pace's magnificent Presidential Suite overlooks three sides of the building and is comprised of a large bedroom, meeting room with seating capacity for 8 people, sitting room, marble bathroom with hydromassage tub, and a 20sqm terrace. A total of as many as 6 rooms can connect to the Presidential suite, so as to create a truly palatial apartment. Grand Hotel & La Pace is situated in Tuscany's Montecatini Terme, one of Italy's and, indeed, Euope's, most celebrated spa towns; rich in naturally occurring thermal springs. The hotel, located in the center of Montecatini, is within easy walking distance of any number of fashionable bars, restaurants, shops and, of course, thermal baths.
C.Grand Hotel Continental Siena: The Grand Hotel Continental is situated right in the heart of the Medieval city of Siena, almost directly opposite the stunning Piazza Salimbeni and just a few meters away from the legendary Piazza del Campo. The hotel has a total of 51 individually appointed bedrooms and suites, all furnished with beautiful pieces of antique furniture and period paintings, terracotta floors, marble bathrooms, and vaulted or coffered wooden ceilings. The suites of the Grand Hotel Continental offer the height of refined luxury. The Tower suite is distributed on two levels, with fabulous panoramic studio overlooking the roof tops of the historic center of Siena. Clients booking the hotel's San Cristoforo suite will find themselves in sumptuous rooms featuring a stunning 15th century fresco. The hotel's "Sapordivino" restaurant provides a unique venue for lunch or dinner beneath a breathtaking crystal ceiling in the courtyard of Palazzo Gori. Here guests are treated to the finest Tuscan cuisine, with particular emphasis being given to dishes from the local Sienese culinary tradition. The Grand Hotel Continental is located in the medieval heart of Siena (Tuscany, Italy), a few steps from the Piazza del Campo and the Duomo, in front of the Rocca Salimbeni - dated 1816 the majestic building housing the world's most ancient bank: Monte dei Paschi di Siena.
D.L'Andana Tenuta La Badiola Castiglione della Pescaia: The Andana is a stunning 5 star hotel, situated in the Maremma region, between Siena and the Chianti countryside and just moments away from the Tuscan coast. The hotel has 33 stylishly appointed guest bedrooms and suites decorated in what has been defined as architect and interior designer Ettore Mocchetti's "rustic chic" style. The Andana hotel's "Trattoria Toscana" restaurant offers superb Tuscan cuisine. The hotel's "Espa" wellness facility has 4 spacious treatment rooms including 2 spa suites, in which an impressive variety of massages and holistic therapies are performed. Here again, Alain Ducasse's gastronomic talents have been employed so as to create a mouth-watering gourmet spa menu. Hotel L'Andana Tenuta La Badiola is located in Castiglione della Pescaia, in the heart of the Maremma. The Maremma is a quite unique area of Tuscany, in which the scenic countryside alternates with the stunning seascapes along the Tuscan coast of the province of Grosseto, directly opposite the island of Elba. From the Hotel L'Andana the Tuscan cities of Florence, Pisa and Siena, are all within easy driving distance.
E.Relais dell'Orologio Pisa: Hotel Relais dell'Orologio is situated in the center of Pisa, just a few steps away from two of the city's most celebrated squares, the Piazza dei Miracoli and Piazza dei Cavalieri. The hotel occupies a fascinating fortified tower house dating back to the 14th century. At the rear of the hotel there is a delightful patio garden where breakfast is served in warm weather and which is ideally suited for open air receptions. Hotel Relais dell'Orologio is perfectly located for those wishing to visit the many historic buildings and museums of Pisa by foot, just moments away from the city's cathedral and celebrated Leaning Tower and the elegant University district. The banks of the Arno river, "Lungarni" lined with historic town houses and churches are, likewise, just a short walk away from the hotel.
 Back To Travel Index Valentine's Day Romantic Regions - Fallsview Region - Ontario, Canada |
