Under the Tuscan sun – My travel diary I.

Tuscany is the place I find myself keep returning over and over again,  I’m blown away by the ultimate Tuscan lifestyle. What comes to my mind first:  picture-perfect landscape, culturally rich spots, friendly people, endless vineyards and Chianti classico, my favorite red wine in the world. Treasure life's little pleasures, just how Italians do, it's part of their mentality. While traveling, I observe the locals and try to go beyond the surface. Spring season will be entirely dedicated to Tuscany, join me for a round trip and let's explore the best of this region together!

The pretty Pisa

Are you ready to go? You can always find cheap flights to Pisa, so start your discovery in this cute little town!

The two favorite sights of mine in Pisa were the leaning tower and the harbor. You can admire the great structure even from the top, see the view from there, it’s pretty, right? 40 people are allowed in the tower at the same time, getting there requires to climb about 300 stairs and a pass a strict security check.

View from the top

Climbing the stairs

The tower was completed in the 14th century as a bell tower of the church. As soon as the construction started, the tower was leaning in the first phase already due to the soft ground.  Right next to it, you can also visit the Duomo, entry is free.  It’s a medieval Roman Catholic church with imposing Romanesque architecture. If you have a moment, lean on the grass right in font of the cathedral, beautiful surroundings!

Marina di Pisa

The marina is a great place to grab a cocktail and enjoy the sunset. I love walking on the beach and getting sand between my toes, it’s always relaxing. With my friends we chose to stay at the harbor. The accommodation called Villino Ermione was so lovely, the place offers a nice, clean room and great view of the sea. The house used to be a private residence in the beginning of the 20th century, later on it was restored as a romantic, cozy accommodation complex. The charming little pink house was more than perfect for a night. The hotel features an elegant style with its special fresco decorations and old-style furniture.

Selfie at the beach

Enjoy the sea breeze and have a lovely dinner at one of the restaurants on the  promenade! This is the place where you cannot miss the chance to eat seafood accompanied by a good glass of Prosecco.

The white beach and its dark secrets

After leaving Pisa, we stopped at the White Beach (Spiagge Bianche)  of Rosignano - Solvay, where the sea reflects special turquoise colors, the place is called the Caribbean of Tuscany. However white sand and unique blue colors are not typical in the region, that’s why I wanted to visit the place. While talking to the locals, I figured out,  that the whole area is polluted and the chemicals, namely Calsium Chloride from Solvay Factory used to cause this unnatural scene, hence white sand and unbelievably blue sea. Even if it looks stunning at first sight, the result is caused by pollution.

Bolgheri

Before heading to our next accommodation in the famous San Gimignano, I wanted to make a short stop at a historical village. Less than 10 kilometers away from the coastline of San Vincenzo you can admire the little village of Bolgheri. Before actually arriving to the place, you will drive through the Cypress Avenue, the road is bordered by ancient , centuries- old cypresses both sides. What a picturesque view! I wish I could once more discover this place by motorcycle, that would be a dream come true.

Park your car outside and walk through the huge brick walls of the old castle! When entering, you will immediately notice the coat of arms of a noble family called  Gherardesca, they owned the castle since the 13th century.  This place was dominated by the Etruscan in the ancient times and it's famous for its old wine-making traditions. When you look around, you will see a tiny center full of typical stone houses and small taverns. In the shops you can taste local specialties and the best wine in the region, since consortium Bolgheri DOC guarantees the highest quality. The whole village is tiny indeed, but perfect for a hour program or a lunch break. We had a pleasant afternoon walk here and enjoyed the medieval atmosphere so much.

April's chapter will be dedicated to the popular Tuscan towns: San Gimignano and Siena, with a short stop in the heart of the Chianti wine region. In May I'm showing yo what I discovered in the marvelous Cortona, where I also visited a winery and last but not least the Renaissance Florence. 

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