Villa Vicchio

The Mugello area in north-estern Tuscany is also known as "the Switzerland of Tuscany", because of the hilly wooded quality of the countryside, so different from that of Chianti or Maremma. There are endless possibilities for trekking, or just walking around; the roads going north to Firenzuola, Marradi or S. Godenzo will shortly take you to the slopes of the Appennini, the mountain range that separates Tuscany from Romagna.

The village of Vicchio (4 km), founded in the 14th century, is the birthplace of painters Giotto and Fra Angelico. In the Museo Comunale there are many interesting pieces dating from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Several restaurants in and around Vicchio offer tasty Tuscan cooking at reasonable prices. Nearby there are places where you can take riding lessons or go out for a ride on horseback. It is possible to buy fresh bread and other basic foods in Vicchio. There are supermarkets, cafes, restaurants, banks, chemists and a post office. In Vicchio there are also a bus station and a railway station with busses and trains for Florence.

In Borgo S. Lorenzo (15 km) there is a wide selection of shops. The old centre still retains its Medieval character; the main church, although restored, dates back to the 12th century. The village of Scarperia (15 km) has been famous for centuries for its cutlery shops, where knives and all sorts of blades are still made by hand. Today it is known for two nearby modern attractions; an excellent golf course and a car racing ground (Circuito del Mugello) where F1 trials are held.

Near S. Piero (15 km) you can see the fortress built by the Medici in the 16th century, and the castles of Cafaggiolo and Trebbio where Florence's leading family came from.

The picturesque Designer Outlet near Barberino (30 km) with its 100 shops is well worth a visit.

Keep an eye out for the mercato (itinerant market) which is to be found on fixed week days all year round in the neighbouring villages: Vicchio, Borgo S. Lorenzo, Dicomano.

The lake Lago di Bilancino (45 km) offers water sports such as sailing and windsurfing. Tennis courts 4 km, riding school 7 km, golf course 15 km.

During the summer months many of the little towns and villages in Tuscany hold their fiera (fair) or sagra (feast). People gather to look at stands, eat in the open-air restaurants or dance to the sound of old time orchestras. One of the most important summer events of this kind is the ancient Fiera Calda in Vicchio, which takes place in the last week of August or the first of September. Initially a cattle and horse market, it is now a combination of commercial fair, bric-à-brac and art exhibition, horse show and other events.

Florence: According to statistics produced by UNESCO, 60% of the world's most important works of art are located in Italy and approximately half of these are in Florence! The city lies on the Arno River and is known for its history and its importance in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance, especially for its art and architecture. A centre of medieval European trade and finance, the city is often considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance; in fact, it has been called the Athens of the Middle Ages. It was long under the de facto rule of the Medici family. From 1865 to 1870 the city was also the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. The historic centre of Florence continues to attract millions of tourists each year and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. Strolling through the centre of Florence is a pleasure, the characterful narrow streets which are mostly closed to traffic are full of surprises and temptations.
Florence, the capital city of Tuscany, will make you swoon with its art, architecture, culture and history. Some favorites are Michelangelo's David in the Accademia, the Duomo, Campanile and Bapistry, the museum of the works of the Duomo, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Bargello, San Marco with Fra Angelica's frescos, Santa Croce, and San Miniato, not to mention the Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. Think of Florence for leather, lace, linens, Florentine paper and paper products, wine, food and monthly rentals off season. Famous festivals are Easter and San Giovanni June 25.

Do you wish to whet your appetite for Florence? Visit our culture website and browse through the 70 museums of Florence: http://www.museumsinflorence.com.