- farmhouses in Empoli Area, Italy

VISITING THE EMPOLI AREA? WE KNOW WHERE YOU’LL STAY!
When we say the Empoli area of Tuscany is a stone’s throw from Florence, we mean it. For those wishing for some quiet moments away from the magnificent splendour of Florence, Empoli, a mere 30 km from the bigger city, offers peace and solitude, with plenty of accommodation facilities to suit all pockets.

For those who don’t know, Empoli is located about 30 m above sea level, on the main railway line from Florence to Pisa, to the south of the River Arno, in a plain formed by the river that has been used for agriculture since the Roman era. Though the plains make way for hilly territory the further you go from the river, Empoli continues to enjoy a reputation as an agricultural region, and has even lent its name to a local type of artichoke.

However, Empoli is also famous – justly so – for its crystal ware, and its many historical remains. In 1119, Empoli came under the Guidi counts and in 1182 went under Florentine rule. In 1260, after the Battle of Montaperti, Empoli was the seat of a famous council in which Farinata degli Uberti opposed the destruction of Florence. The castle of Empoli went on to become an important fortress, and was sacked a number of times. In 1530 its fall marked the end of the independent Florentine Republic.

A fountain by Luigi Pampaloni marks the centre of the Piazza Farinata degli Uberti, also called Piazza dei Leoni (Lions’ Square). Here you will find the Collegiata di Sant’Andrea, the Palazzo Ghibellino, built by the Guidi counts in the 11th century and rebuilt in the 16th, and the Palazzo Pretorio, which served as Empoli’s town hall. The Palazzo Ghibellino now houses an auditorium, the Museo Paleontologico, and the Archivo Storico. Next to the Collegiata, an ecclesiastical museum built in 1859 has a gallery with paintings dating back to 1336, including works by Filippo Lippi and Della Robbia. Near the Piazza is the 14th-century Chiesa di Santo Stefano, and next to the church is a 16th century convent. Also in the Empoli area is the village of Pontorme, birthplace of painter Jacopo Carrucci, known as Il Pontormo.

For those worrying about accommodation in the Empoli area, we can assure you that there are plenty of good hotels as our list (www.yourwaytotuscany.com/Empoli-Area.htm) tells you, restaurants, and other modern amenities. Away from its historical centre, Empoli is a modern town and a very good base from which to visit Pisa, Lucca, Florence, Volterra, and the birthplace of Leonardo, the town of Vinci.

TUSCANY FARMHOUSE: STAY IN A RURAL IDYLL

How would you like to spend your holidays in a recently restored traditional farmhouse in Tuscany, with comfortable, fully furnished rooms, modern bathrooms and kitchen? Wouldn’t you like it even better if the farmhouse were to be situated in a panoramic position surrounded by the dazzling Tuscan countryside? Even better, imagine the farmhouse to be situated in a little medieval town in the Tuscan province of Arezzo. In front of the house there is a garden where you can eat and relax in the open air, and actually organise a barbeque!

Imagination? Not really, because we have carefully selected a large number of farmhouses in Tuscany where you can stay during your vacation. The farmhouses of our choice offer you every modern amenity while giving you a taste of rural Tuscan life, and most of them are impeccably restored old buildings that take you back in time to medieval Italy.

Our Tuscany holiday farmhouses are mostly located in charming and historic villages. We offer you the best of agritourism in Tuscany, as well as opportunities to go mountain biking, jogging, and trekking through some truly spectacular landscapes. Besides, you have a wide range of true blue Tuscan delicacies to choose from, and your pick of the best wines that this celebrated wine-producing region can offer.

And for those with a historical bent of mind, we offer Tuscan farmhouse holidays in Il Piastrino, which is situated in Vinci, birthplace of the celebrated Leonardo da Vinci, on one of the hills of the Chianti region in the heart of Tuscany amidst cypresses and olives groves. The old farmhouse, which has been transformed into holiday accommodations, is beautifully furnished and offers all the comforts you could ask for.

These are mere samplers. We have a truly wide rang of farmhouse accommodations waiting for you, and would love you to look over our selection before choosing the one you want to stay in. we provide direct access to the Tuscany holiday farmhouse of your choice, and invite you to visit us without delay. Our farmhouses are located in every region of Tuscany, and wherever you go, you will find farmhouse accommodation near one of Tuscany’s famous cities. So what are you waiting for? Book your Tuscany farmhouse holidays today!

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