Southern Corner 43 - Tusany - an insider hotel tip!

 

Some hotels, places are so incredibly beautiful that one can't believe that they exist. The Hotel Albergo Villa Marta is truly one of them. It is an eighteenth century villa built for hunting reasons. It is 5 km from the city centre of Lucca, in the countryside that separates Pisa from Lucca.  

Rooms are traditional in style, some with exposed beams, others with frescoed ceilings, and are sparingly furnished with antiques that are not expensive but suitably elegant. All are up to date: behind the time-honored facade are modern fittings and extras, including accessible rooms on the ground floor.

The bedrooms overlook the estate's gardens and surrounding countryside. Still, a short stroll will reveal even more, including an outdoor swimming pool and a small private chapel, ideal for a fairytale wedding (or to give a nod to your future spouse). 

The extensive breakfast is one of Albergo Villa Marta's strengths, and if you're in a foodie mood, wine tastings and cooking classes can be arranged.

Each room has its character, with a combination of elegant furniture, subtle colors, and simple architecture.

The villa is surrounded by a large Renaissance Lucchese garden where guests can enjoy the tranquility. Its elegance and crystal-clear pool promise an unforgettable holiday for those looking for relaxation, warm Tuscan hospitality, and culture. 

 

“Some journeys take you to a new destination, but Italy has a way
of taking you to a new version of yourself.”

-John Mark Green

more of my posts about: Southern Corners

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Southern Corners 42 - Viareggio, Tuscany - Italy

 

Viareggio

Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea

It is the foamy waves from the Tyrrhenian on one side and the stark white marble peaks of Massa Carrara on the other which give way for the nickname Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The access to the sea has always been one of the primary characteristics of Viareggio, causing most of its ups and downs throughout history. Today it reigns as the second largest city in the province of Lucca, and during the season of Carnival and the summer months, its population explodes with visitors far and wide who come to stay at one of the many hotels, tempted by the colors, the energy, the sandy beaches and the delectable menu of fish.

Initially built as the port to the city of Lucca, competing with that of Pisa, the town of Viareggio didn’t really grow into the definition of a full-fledged city until the 1800’s where it started to take on a more permanent and residential feel about it. There are a little over 10km of sandy beaches between the private and public areas in this town along the coast of the Versilia though most of the public beaches are within the beautiful Parco Naturale Regionale Migliarino-San Rossore-Massaciuccoli.

www.discovertuscany.com

In the 20th century the first nucleus of the 3 km long “La Passeggiata” began to take shape, a wide road running parallel to the beach decorated with gelato stores, caffès and park benches in the “liberty style.” This is still the place to stroll for good restaurants, sandy beaches and local shopping. These were the very caffè that Giacomo Puccini would sit at and it was also the very place where inventors of the Carnival - Tuscany style met and dreamed up the idea of 4 weeks of floats and customs!

 

 

 One of the most captivating and wonderful examples of the local liberty architecture is the Gran Caffè Margherita: you could stop here for breakfast, a cocktail, lunch or dinner - food and drinks are always simply delicious ... even if they are a bit expensive.  But then you are also paying for the refined, sophisticated ambiance which will remind you of a country club during the 1920-30’s, when people like the musician Giacomo Puccini or the physician Guglielmo Marconi used to "hang out" at Margherita.

 

 

    “I find other countries have this or this, but Italy is the only one that has it all for me. The culture, the cuisine, the people, the landscape, the history. Just everything to me comes together there.”

— Frances Mayes - American novelist, memoirist and professor

 

 

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more of my posts about: Southern Corners

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Southern Corners 29 - Lucca, Italy - part one

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We arrived just at Lucca, Tuscany at the moment the rain is gone and it was very cold and windy. Nevertheless, the first view was amazing. Such a gorgeous ensemble of picturesque houses and streets! 

Diving into a mysterious world of tiny streets, wonderful colors, the Italian way of life, and the smell of lovely Tuscany food. 

Every corner is a painting on its own.

And then the sun comes out!! And yes, sunny walks are much better, aren't they? 

The Sun after the rain is much more beautiful
than the Sun before the rain!

Mehmet Murat Ildan

For more of my posts about Italy! 

Skywatch Friday - Image-in-Ing  - Through My Lens No. 334 - Himmelsblick

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Having Italy

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Come walk with me through the amazing beautiful streets of Lucca,  Tuscany - Italy, enjoy the silence of early summer days with less people, taste yummy italien food and just be ...

You may have the universe if I may have Italy. 

-Giuseppe Verdi

For more of my posts about Italy! 

Scenic Weekends - Image-in-inq  - our World Tuesday 

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perfect young summer

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What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade. 

~ Gertrude Jekyll

For more of my posts about Italy! 

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mood to moment

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"At the beach, life is different. Time doesn’t move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides, and follow the sun."

— Sandy Gingras

For more of my posts about Italy! 

Skywatch Friday - My Sunday Photo

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