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Hotel Versilia: luxurious resort hotel on the beach in Tuscany

Esme Vos — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:06:16 +0000

When people think of a holiday in Tuscany, they usually think only of the Chianti area, inland near Siena. However, Tuscany does have beaches, notably in the northern part around Versilia and Viareggio, which are closer to Pisa and Lucca. But they’re not that far from Florence. Why not combine a beach holiday with history, culture and wine (Chianti)?

Consider staying at the Hotel Versilia, one of the design hotels run by the UNA Group. Although I usually do not like to stay in chain hotels, in the past decade in Europe and Asia, I’ve been impressed by the interior decor and service in places run by small chain hotel groups such as UNA whose emphasis is providing guests an experience that goes beyond the standard chain look-and-feel (check out their hotel in Florence). Hotel Versilia has a roof garden bar, tennis courts, and a 25 meter swimming pool. If you are staying with your family, they also have apartments.

Hotel UNA Versilia
Viale Sergio Bernardini già Viale Colombo, 335/337
Lido di Camaiore (LUCCA)
Italy
+39 0584 01200

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Mapplr's favorite restaurants in Tuscany: Montepulciano area

Esme Vos — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:47:51 +0000

There are so many good places to eat in and around Montepulciano, so where to go? Ask the locals, of course. Cinzia Caporali, owner of La Locanda di San Francesco, a boutique hotel in Montepulciano, recommends five places:

Montepulciano

(1) La Grotta: in Cinzia’s opinion, the best in the Montepulciano area for the quality of food and service. It’s perfect for a romantic dinner, but also for business meetings. The menu is based on fresh local products. Excellent wine list (French and Italian wines and champagne). Garden view of San Biagio Cathedral. Tasting menu for approx. 48 EUR per person.

La Grotta
Via Di San Biagio, 15
53045 Montepulciano (SI), Italy
+39 (0)578 757607

(2) Logge del Vignola: Cozy and intimate, less than 20 seats, in the historical center of Montepulciano. Attentive service, extensive wine list, menu based on local products. Tasting menu is between 40-45 EUR per person (cooking classes for small groups of two to four people on request).

Logge del Vignola
Via Delle Erbe, 6
53045 Montepulciano (SI), Italy
+39 (0)578 717290
www.leloggedelvignola.com

(3) Osteria Acquacheta: popular meeting place for the locals in the off-season, famous for the steak (fiorentina alla brace) and for the quirky character of the owner, Giulio. Handmade pasta and bread, and extensive offerings of vegetables as side dishes. The osteria also serves traditional Tuscan dishes that have been “lost” to memory and are very difficult to find elsewhere (for example, cibreo – a dish made of chicken innards and coxcombs). About 40 seats set along two long tables. Average price: 20-25 EUR per person.

Osteria Acquacheta
Via del Teatro, 22
53045 Montepulciano (SI), Italy
+39 (0)578 717 086
www.acquacheta.eu

Monticchiello

(4) La Porta: Family -run restaurant at the gate of the village boasts of a beautiful terrace.

La Porta
Via Del Piano, 3
53026 Monticchiello (SI), Italy
+39 (0)578 755163

Pienza

(5) Latte di Luna: Family -run restaurant with a lovely outdoor space, great “pici” pasta; famous for “maialino al latte”.

Latte di Luna
Via San Carlo, 2
53026 Pienza (SI), Italy
+39 (0)578 748606

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La Locanda di San Francesco: boutique hotel in Montepulciano, Tuscany

Esme Vos — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:25:45 +0000

If you are planning a trip to Tuscany, check out La Locanda di San Francesco, an intimate (4-room) boutique hotel set in a 14th century palazzo in the historical center of Montepulciano in Tuscany. It is a family-run hotel which has been written about in magazines such as Food & Wine and Condé Nast Traveller. The owner, Cinzia Caporali, can arrange private wine tours and tastings in the family winery, Tenuta Valdipiatta, which makes Nobile di Montepulciano wine. The bistro/wine-bar offers artisan cheeses, salumi, and other simple delicious dishes. You can also buy locally produced olive oil, honey, pasta and other Tuscan foods.

The area around Montepulciano has so much to offer people who love food, wine, nature and history. The atmospheric little town of Pienza, which lies next to Montepulciano, was the birth place of Enea Silvio Piccolomini, later Pope Pius II, who rebuilt the town in Renaissance style and used it as his home away from Rome in the 1400s. Pienza has wonderful small food stores that sell fresh pecorino cheese, which one must consume immediately. You can find pecorino cheese, plain or mixed with truffles, hot red peppers, etc. in Montepulciano as well. Don’t miss the ancient spa towns of Bagno Vignoni and Chianciano Terme, whose thermal waters were once thought to have cured diseases. The hilly area is perfect for long walks, especially after all the eating and drinking that inevitably accompanies a stay in this region.

La Locanda di San Francesco
Piazza San Francesco, 5
53045 Montepulciano
Italy
+39 (0)578 758 725
www.locandasanfrancesco.it