SIGHTSEEING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

The Val Graziosa (that means Lovely Valley) adds a valuable historical and artistic heritage to the beauty of a landscape built and transformed by farmers’ hands during hundred years, to rich rural and gastronomic traditions.

The rocks that emerge on the mountain of Verruca, with its fortress, are a typical landscape element, and the very hard stone has been employed to build the mill crushers. Today many mills in the valley have been converted into homes, and the agricultural activities have been abandoned pro tourism.

Actually this area is a strategic starting point to visit historical and artistic towns such as Pisa, Lucca, Siena, Carrara, Florence, to relax at the Tuscan seaside, to discover the nature and other beauties of the region.
Regional gastronomy is excellent: from “extra vergine” olive-oil to the red and white wines, to typical dishes like the vegetable soup, macaroni with meat sauce, roasted rabbit, wild boar, cod with chick peas ...

CULTURAL INTERESTS: Throughout the summer there are plenty of outdoor festivals. On 16th June in Pisa the patron of the town is celebrated with the Luminaria of San Ranieri a very suggestive evening during which the whole town, its palaces’ façades and its river are lit up with candles.

WALKS AND HIKING: You can take beautiful walks, also on horseback, in the surrounding hills and in the natural Park San Rossore, between Pisa and the seashores.

SEASIDE: At 30-40 minutes driving, beaches equipped (Marina di Pisa, Tirrenia, Viareggio) and free (Marina Vecchiano); open water with rocks and pebble beaches (Livorno, Castiglioncello).

PERFORMANCES: During the summer several festivals take place in the region: theatre (Castiglionello, San Miniato and Peccioli), music (Charterhouse of Calci, Puccini Festival at Torre del Lago and Andrea Bocelli’s annual concert at the Teatro del Silenzio in Lajatico).

SPORTS AND LEISURE: a few kilometres away there are three public swimming pools suitable for young children: Eden Park Resort at Colignola, La Gabella and Uliveto Terme; thermal baths at San Giuliano Terme, Spa at Casciana and Venturina. In addition, you can visit the Museum of Natural History at the Charterhouse of Calci.