Journey through villages and flavors of the Valdinievole

…from the chestnut woods around Pescia, passing through the lush hills dotted with olive trees of Montecatini…a succession of ancient fortifications, castle and villages…like Vinci, Leonardo’s homeland…

How the experience is structured...

1st day

Free day to visit the ancient Pescia (the Cathedral, the Vicar’s Palace, the Podestà Palace) and a few km away Castelvecchio on of the ‘ten medieval castles’ in Valleriana (better know as Pesciatina Switzerland) with its Romanesque Parish Church, today is a National Monument, where you can buy the famous Sorana Igp beans. Moments of leisure by visiting the Monumental Park of Pinocchio (commemorative park of the famous novel by Carlo Lorenzini) and the historic Garden of Villa Garzoni near Collodi.

2nd day

Breakfast. Free day to visit some of the medieval villages in the area: Buggiano Castello, appreciated by tourists for the peace that reigns within its walls, its enchanting square and the Romanesque Church; Montecatini Alto reachable in a few minutes by car from Montecatini Terme (where you will taste the ‘Cialde’ a delicious vanilla-scented disc-shaped biscuits) or with the 2 red trains of the Funicolar (inagurated on 4 june 1898 in the presence of illustrious guests among them was Giuseppe Verdi); Montevettolini (formerly a hunting place of the Medici Grand Dukes) with its walls, its 6 towers and 3 access doors. At its feet a ‘greedy ‘ stop in Monsummano Terme for a visit and tasting of an artisan chocolate shop. Overnight stay.

3rd day

Breakfast. Free day to visit the Castle of Serravalle Pistoiese with its two fortress, the Lombard fortress of Barbarossa and the Castruccio fortress. from here moving to the Eastern side of Montalbano, you come to Vinci ‘Leonardo’s Land’: visit its famous Museum and the Rocca dei Conti Guidi; stop for a visit and tasting in one of the Leonardo da Vinci Cellars. End of services.