tuscany villa for rent - Holiday Villa in Montecatini Terme, Italy

MONTECATINI TERME: EUROPE’S SPA CPITAL
Montecatini Terme, situated in Valdinievole, is one of Europe’s spa capitals. One of its most striking aspects is the large green area in the heart of the city, a spa park that covers an area of at least 460,000 sq m. The resort is famous for its ‘drink therapy’, which involves drinking the water of its spas. Other treatments include mud baths, bathing, hydrotherapy jets, physio-kinesitherapy in a thermal pool and rehabilitation therapies that lure thousands of tourists to the resort every year. Though home to only about 20,000 inhabitants, Montecatini Terme is able to accommodate at least 2,000,000 tourists every year.

The area of Montecatini has been inhabited since prehistoric times, but the first mention of Montecatini dates from 716 AD. In 1164 it was a free commune, but was later acquired by the republic of Lucca. In the 14th century its castle was besieged during the war between Florence and Lucca. The first baths were built in 1540, and in 1554 Montecatini went to the Sienese, to be subsequently destroyed in revenge by Cosimo I de Medici, first Grand Duke of Tuscany.

The recovery of Montecatini began in the 18th century, when the first bath resorts were built. In the 20th century, it became one of the most renowned spa resorts in Italy, and famous visitors included Giuseppe Verdi, Pietro Mascagni, Ruggero Leoncavallo, Trilussa, Beniamino Gigli and Luigi Pirandello.

Today, Montecatini Terme’s waters are also used for beauty treatments and general psychophysical well being. Traditionally, spa treatments have gone hand in hand with leisure activities and shopping. The resort also has many art galleries and antique shops and is famous as the Tuscan capital of Liberty Style. Consequently, many public and private buildings boast this style, mainly courtesy the artist Galileo Chini. Some of the works of the great master can be found in the town hall, at Tettuccio, at Tamerici, in the ballroom of the Grand Hotel and La Pace.

Tourists can also avail the many sports facilities in Montecatini, such as the golf course located a few kilometers from the city, near a village called La Pievaccia. For those who prefer spectator sports, an afternoon or evening at horse racecourse of Sesana is ideal. In addition, there are tennis clubs, public swimming pools, a bocce court and a clay-shooting field. There are also many trekking and mountain bike trails in the surrounding hills.

Accommodation in Montecatini Terme is varied and of high quality. The city has 230 hotels, some of the finest of which find place on our list (www.yourwaytotuscany.com/Montecatini-Terme.htm). In addition, we also offer a selection of bed & breakfasts, and farmhouses that promote agritourism. So check it all out.

TUSCANY VILLAS: YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Tuscany is justly famous for its wine, food, warm and hospitable people, and dazzling natural beauty. However, in our opinion, Tuscany should also be celebrated for its beautiful villas, because the Tuscan countryside is dotted with some of the most superb villas dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, and almost all of them are perfectly preserved, so that they can still be inhabited with ease. And guess what? We would like to invite you to stay in one of Tuscany's independent villas, which we have carefully selected for the discerning tourist. We can guarantee you every home comfort that you can ask for, in the luxurious and elegant atmosphere of these beautiful villas.

Without exception, the independent villas of Tuscany that we have chosen for you are located amidst some wonderful natural scenery. Take the Villa Ginestra, situated near the top of a hill in the Tuscan countryside, delighting guests with a magnificent view of the city of Florence. Also within view is the tiny village of Cercina. On a nearby hilltop, you can see the ruins of a great house that once belonged to a medieval bishop. The scenery is, in a word, magnificent. At Villa Ginestra, you will enjoy the best Italy has to offer – the timeless beauty of Tuscany’s rural countryside, and quick and easy access to Florence.

An orchard of half-century-old olive trees surrounds Villa Ginestra, providing visitors with a crown of green and silver. To the west is the still deeper green of a forested mountain, webbed with well-marked trails for the adventurous hiker. To the east is a superb view of the medieval town of Fiesole.

And that is just one example of what we can offer you. There are numerous independent villas in Tuscany that find place on our list, spread all across this beautiful region of Italy. Can you actually imagine staying in a place called the Villa Buonaparte? Well, we have it on our list too, and it is situated on San Miniato’s hills, about five km from San Miniato. It is a 16th-century building, carefully renovated and maintained to remind you of the charms of medieval Italy.

As we keep saying, these are mere samples. For a detailed list of independent villas in Tuscany, come to us and we’ll take you on a free and infinitely rewarding tour!

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