Villa La Palma

Beaches: The coast between Livorno and Piombino is a succession of famous resorts and well-maintained clean beaches, many of which have been awarded Europe’s Blue Flag various times.

It is here that Bolgheri DOC wines are produced - world-class wines such as Sassicaia, Guado al Tasso and Ornellaia as well as numerous others of the highest quality. This "Eldorado of Italian wine" as it has been called, is the result of nature's generosity, the climate and the talent of its wine makers. Bolgheri has become one of the most interesting and gifted areas in the whole universe of wine thanks to some illuminated personages, among such as Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, the oenologist Giacomo Tachis and the Marchesi Piero and Lodovico Antinori. The experimental use of "international" grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and the constant research for innovation and quality has attracted the interest and support of the best world wine critics such as Veronelli, Marvin Shenker and well know national and international wine producers.

Where there is great wine there tends to be great food and the Gambero Rosso, voted the best restaurant in Italy and with 2 Michelin stars, is in one of the seaside resorts along the coast.

Massa Marittima: Here, in one of Etruria's oldest and most prosperous communities, the same minerals that were extracted 2,500 years ago are still being mined. The first miner's code in Europe was drawn up here in 1310. Three years earlier, the graceful Romanesque-Gothic cathedral was completed. Decorated with three orders of arches and slender columns supported by lion-headed capitals, it stands on a steep flight of stairs above the square that contains Massa's medieval buildings, an architectural grouping characteristic of 13th-century Tuscan cities: the travertine Palazzo Pretoria of 1230 with its escutcheons of former mayors, the Palazzo Communale, formed of three crenelated tower-houses and decorated with frescoes, among them a Lorenzetti Madonna.

Castagneto Carducci: An enchanting medieval village built around the Gherardesca Castle. In 1907 the name of this municipality was changed in honour of poet Giosuè Carducci who spent a year here with his family. The medieval castle has been enriched in time and offers stunning views of the valley. Each spring Castagneto is the venue for a major gourmet festival which attracts enthusiasts from all over Italy.

The Parks of the Val di Cornia: The parks stretch along the coastal strip opposite the Island of Elba. The various archaeological and natural sites of the Parks make this area an interesting alternative to the traditional tourist destinations: a place where nature and archaeology converge to let you discover the charm of the "Toscana Minore". More information on www.parchivaldicornia.it

Everyone knows the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but the city of Pisa is not just the Tower, nor the marvellous Piazza dei Miracoli . Some of the less-visited attractions include one of Pisa’s oldest churches, San Paolo a Ripa d’Arno located in the middle of a magnificent garden by the river Arno. The Sinopias Museum with its magnificent collection of fresco sketches. Don’t miss a walk on Le Piagge, a tree-lined boulevard running along the river , beginning at Ponte della Vittoria and ending at Ponte delle Bocchette. It is very popular among the locals, Le Piagge makes for a nice off-the-beaten-path walk in Pisa, and a perfect way to discover Pisa away from the crowds of the main sites. More information on www.pisaunicaterra.it

An excellent Spa - The Tombolo Talasso Resort belonging to the Antinori family - lies in the next village.

Sports: There is a sports club with olympic sized pool, tennis courts, volley ball court. 4 golf courses can be reached from here. The most famous, the 18 hole Punta Ala golf club is at a 50 minute drive. The area is excellent for biking. Many champions come here to do their training. You can hire bicicles in the next village. Windsurf/Sailing/Boat Rental (catamaran, canoe, pedalo, sailing boat) in the nearby sea side resort Cecina, lessons for children and adults.