11 Experiences for a Memorable Holiday in Tuscany

Le Cascate del Mulino (Mill Waterfalls) are part of the Terme di Saturnia (Saturnia Hot Springs), the most famous (and free) thermal hot springs in Tuscany, accessible 365 days a year, day and night. Soak in large limestone pools, the result of a very gradual erosion that has taken place over thousands of years, and benefit from these calcium and sulphur-rich waters.

Thanks to their unchanging temperature of 37 °C, taking a dip near this ancient mill is enjoyable even come wintertime. As well as the convenience of a large free car park, there are showers and catering outlets. Perfect for a relaxing break where you can focus on your wellbeing.

Parco della Maremma (Maremma Park) is a favourite of cycling enthusiasts. Tracks for all abilities and ages extend across almost 10,000 hectares of natural, protected land, between the towns of Principina a Mare and Orbetello. Beaches, freshwater courses and gorgeous viewpoints punctuate a large range of routes that wind their way through green holm oaks and golden sand dunes.

You'll also discover caves overlooking the sea and ancient abbeys. The routes vary in length and journey time. You'll need to buy an individual ticket or pay a monthly, quarterly or annual subscription fee to access them.

In Pianosa, you can switch off and spend a day away from the hustle and bustle. Only 250 tourists a day are allowed on this uninhabited island, which forms part of the Arcipelago Toscano (Tuscan Archipelago). Pretty cool, right? Crystal-clear waters and snow-white sand aren't the only reasons to visit it. If you’re into sports, you can go trekking, snorkelling, kayaking or go on a mountain biking excursion.

Up for some culture? There are the Catacombe Cristiane (Christian Catacombs), Bagni di Agrippa (Baths of Agrippa) and the fascinating architecture of the town of Pianosa, abandoned since the island ceased to be a penal colony.

Vallombrosa is located in the natural reserve between Valle del Casentino (Casentino Valley) and Valdarno. In this corner of paradise, you can go on exciting excursions, visit significant monuments and admire breathtaking beauty, or just find some respite from the heat of the city.

Follow the three paths and discover forests spanning 1450 metres, shielding the famous, thousand-year-old Abbazia dei Monaci Vallombrosani (Vallombrosa Abbey). The Benedictine complex includes a library, pharmacy and museum and is a real must-see site. Visiting it is an unusual, spiritual experience, like silently travelling back in time.

The Ville Lucchesi (Lucchesi Villas) were built as summer residences between the 15th and 19th centuries, in the rural and hilly areas around Lucca. The structure of these stunning examples of architectural and natural fusion is truly masterful.

Large halls decorated with frescoes and statues overlook elegant gardens where fountains, basins and ponds mark out refined geometrical shapes and create profoundly beautiful perspectives. Olive trees and vineyards colour the landscape around Villa Bernardini, Villa Grabau and Villa Oliva, just a few of the sites to be seen in this fairy-tale tour.

Collodi is a small district in Pistoiese, home to Parco di Pinocchio (Pinocchio Park). Here, you can meet Gatto (Cat) and Volpe (Fox), eat in Osteria del Gambero Rosso (Red Prawn Inn) and knock on the Fata Turchina (Blue Fairy's) door. The most impressive part of the park is an unusual route, featuring 20th-century artwork that recalls and pays homage to the novel’s characters.

Young and old can relive the feats of the famous wooden puppet as they wander past bronze and steel sculptures, buildings and unusual garden features. The park also includes exciting adventure courses, recreational and educational activities, an interactive museum and the Antiche Giostre (Antique Rides), as well spaces for unforgettable parties.

The Abbazia di San Galgano (Abbey of San Galgano) includes an abbey and a hermitage and is a must-see destination for medieval history lovers. The abbey, built in the 13th century where the hermit died, is a complex of strikingly beautiful, open-air ruins.

Only walls and some vaults remain, and the sky stretches majestically over the deserted naves. The hermitage consecrated to the saint is equally fascinating, with a sword that Galgano himself supposedly thrust into the rock when giving up the pleasures of a worldly life. After countless futile attempts to pull it out, the sword is now covered in protective glass. It continues to intrigue pilgrims, visitors and tourists.

The Castello di Sammezzano (Castle of Sammezzano) is an unusual building that seems to have come straight out of a story in One Thousand and One Nights. Based on a 17th-century construction, it underwent a complete redesign two centuries later by the Florentine Marquis Ferdinando Panciatichi Ximenes d'Aragona.

The unique interiors feature colourful mosaics, stuccoes, bas-reliefs, arches, domes and other Moorish style elements, making you feel far from Florence. The botanical gardens of the castle, known as Parco Storico (Historic Park), span 65 hectares and are home to plants from all over the world, including some centuries-old sequoias.

The Arcipelago Toscano (Tuscan Archipelago) is formed of seven major islands in the Ligurian Sea and Tyrrhenian Sea, from the tiny Gorgona to the long island of Elba, as well as cliffs, shoals and islets. Discover the precious wildlife and landscapes of these incredible lands by renting a boat or joining one of the numerous excursions that leave from Livorno, Cecina and other ports on the coast.

You'll sail past remote rock formations like the Scoglio d'Africa, the westernmost islet of the archipelago not far from the legendary Isola di Montecristo (Island of Montecristo). And, of course, your trip isn't complete without an unforgettable swim in the clear sea, soaking up the beauty of one of Tuscany's jewels.

The Ponte Sospeso delle Ferriere (Ferriere Suspension Bridge), connecting the two sides of the Lima near San Marcello Piteglio, in the province of Pistoia. Less than 1.5 metres wide, over 200 metres in length and reaching as high as 40 metres, it's the world’s second-longest suspension bridge.

Thanks to an efficient lighting system it can be crossed safely even at night. You can reach it from Popiglio or Mammiano. The walkway’s made of steel and provides a view of the land below. If you're scared of heights and don't fancy crossing it from one end to the other, we recommend enjoying a relaxing drink in the bar-restaurant, located near the Mammiano entrance.