In this series of blogs we will highlight some of our favourite day trip destinations in Tuscany.
Whilst in no particular order, we will start with one of the prettiest places in Tuscany - Bagno Vignoni.
BAGNO VIGNONI
I have been visiting this tiny, tiny place for almost twenty years. What's so special?
Let me share...
Bagno Vignoni is a thermal spring, dating back to Ancient Roman times. Whilst no longer in use, the thermal pool forms almost a "piazza" in which the stone buildings ripple in the reflections. It is a delightfully pretty scene.
Like most places in Tuscany, Bagno Vignoni is hardly "undiscovered" so you will need to be prepared for the occasional bus load of tourists you may find there. The trick is to go early in the morning, or late in the afternoon, or stay for lunch and ride out the waves of the visitors. Eventually Bagno Vignoni will become as calm as the waters in the pool.
This tiny hamlet has a cafe, two restaurants (both recommended) and a handful of shops (including a bottega for supplies). It also has a spa establishment offering thermal treatments.
If you don't want to book yourself in for spa treatments, you can still get to experience the mildly sulphurous waters - a trickle runs down the hill outside the hamlet (near the carpark). Take off your shoes and enjoy...
So, where is Bagno Vignoni?
Approximately 50 kilometres south of Siena - not easily reached by public transport, so a car is essential. Parking is available in a carpark and is well sign-posted. Bagno Vignoni is located in the incredibly scenic Val d'Orcia - so the drive is equally as enjoyable. The nearest town in San Quirico d'Orcia.
Where to stay?
We highly recommend our beautiful Villas near Siena, on a large wine estate. The estate is situated on the top of a hill with 360 degree views, and is a place you will never want to leave. This borgo is one of Passion for Italy's favourite places in Tuscany - a place to live for a week under the Tuscan sun.
Stay tuned for our next day trip destination in Tuscany... the beautiful Renaissance town of Pienza.
Hi Gemma,
We have arrived back safe and sound from out Italy trip. Thank you. Your villa recommendation was terrific, we had a very pleasant stay, we saw a lot, ate a lot and laughed a lot. Marsha joined us and we thoroughly enjoyed our Villa.
Thank you again,
Regards Sue and Graham 2011
SALONE INTERNAZIONALE DEL MOBILE 2012 -INTERNATIONAL FURNITURE TRADE FAIR is on in Milano April 17-22 2012. This is one of the largest international furniture fairs in the world and very popular as Milan is such a big design city. Milan also has a wonderful design museum - the Triennale Design Museum if you love creativity with furniture.
Many Hotels are booked the year before. I suggest if you were planning to go to Milan in this period and you do not need to attend the fair then it is best to stay somewhere outside the city if you need to watch your budget. All the hotels raise their prices because of the extreme demand.
Passion for Italy Travel can help you with avoid the problem areas in Italy - become one of our clients and fill out the Booking Enquiry form and we will phone you.
Not many visitors to the eternal city know that the real Saint Valentine was a Roman priest in the third century AD, during the rule of Emperor Claudius II. (More about Valentine at the end of the blog.)
So to commemorate the city's special connection to love and romance, we thought we would share our perfect Valentine's Day in Rome...
But first, an aside... as you wander the streets and sights of Rome, keep an eye out for padlocks - you'll see them on fences, gates, lamposts - anywhere they can be attached. These have become the modern city's symbol of love, and started after the release of a hugely popular movie in 2006 in which the main characters wrote their names on a padlock, locked it on to a lamp post on one of Rome's bridges and threw the key into the Tiber.
Back to our perfect Valentine's Day in Rome...
- Wake up in one of the city's most romantic guesthouses, our favourite is near the Spanish Steps. Become a Passion For Italy client and choose from our hand-picked selection of romantic b&b's and guesthouses.
- Visit the Pantheon early in the morning, before the crowds - having this amazing place to yourselves is a special experience.
- Wander Via del Governo Vecchio, and let it take you to Via della Pace and then on Via dei Coronari - all lovely cobblestoned streets filled with eclectique boutiques, artisans, quiet churches and cloisters, antiques - our favourite streets in Rome! Stop at one of the gorgeous cafes and restaurants for lunch. Passion For Italy clients get our full list of recommended restaurants, cafes and bars.
- After lunch consider a spot of window shopping in the famous streets around the Spanish Steps.
- Late afternoon walk up to the Pincio, and wander the gardens. These gardens are filled with tree-lined avenues - perfect for strolling - and rose-sellers (the gardens are popular with lovers). After buying a beautiful single rose stop at a romantic bar for a pre-dinner glass of prosecco to watch the sun set over the rooftops of Rome.
- After dinner at one of our favourite romantic restaurants, wander to the Campidoglio for the view over the Roman Forum lit up at night. Such an evocative sight.
- Join the locals for the late evening passegiata and gelati.
- End the night at the Trevi Fountain and throw a coin in - guaranteeing your return to Rome.
To finish the story of Saint Valentine... poor fellow, he had his head chopped off by the displeased Emperor Claudius - legend has it that the priest was secretly marrying young Christian couples which upset the Christian-persecuting emperor - and now you can see Saint Valentine's head on display inside Santa Maria in Cosmedin. (We wouldn't include this on our list of things to do on Valentine's Day, but it is quite interesting nonetheless...)
Happy Valentine's Day from Passion For Italy!
If you're visiting Rome between March and September this year, ensure you visit the Capitoline museums for a not-to-be-missed exhibition.
Called "Lux in arcana - The Vatican Secret Archives reveals itself", the exhibition has on display one hundred original and historically significant documents from the Vatican archives spanning twelve centuries. These documents have never left the archives before, and include
* Galileo Galilei's heresy conviction
* Henry VIII's appeal to the Pope (signed by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and nearly 70% of the House of Lords) for the annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon
* The dogma of the Immaculate Conception
* The Queen of Scotland's last letter to the Pope (professing her Catholic faith again) before she was executed in 1587 by her rival Queen Elizabeth of England
The Capitoline museums are located next to the Roman Forum. Closed Mondays.
Become a Passion For Italy Platinum client, and let us book your tickets to this unique exhibition.
For more information - http://www.luxinarcana.org/en
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT ITALY?
Spring, Summer, Autumn (Fall) or Winter?
Each season in Italy has its benefits and drawbacks – our 4-part blog will give you ideas and information on how best to enjoy Italy, no matter the season.
SPRING – PRIMAVERA
March, April, May
Spring is a beautiful time in Italy. Flowers and gardens are in bloom, and the whole country comes out of its winter hibernation with numerous festivals and events.
Typically these months offer more pleasant temperatures and somewhat fewer crowds than summer, although Holy Week (Easter) in many Italian cities can be crowded and we suggest you book well in advance.
