Versilia, Tuscany

Our guest post on Italy: beyond the obvious blog by Madeline Jhawar

Tuscany is known to most people as the land of sunflowers, poppies, olive groves and beautiful historical cities such as Florence, Siena and Pisa. But few know the magic of a small territory with a microcosm of landscapes, from the silent sea that laps silky sands to towering mountains, that were the cradle to Romans. The vast expanse of natural parks and pine forests were once a hunting ground for the Tuscan nobility; the rolling hills were redesigned by men in neat vineyards and olive groves; and the magical waters of Lake Massaciuccoli inspired Giacomo Puccini, and still attract the rarest species of birds to spend the warmer months.

Located in northwest Tuscany, bordering Liguria and the Cinque Terre, Versilia is nestled between the high Apuan Alps (giving it a mild winter climate) and a long sandy stretch of coast.

The unusual wedding

Guest post on The favour shoppe blog

There are many unusual ways to get married, under the sea with mask and snorkel, in the air jumping off an airplane, but this is not adventurous nor weird, but just an exciting way to share your happiness with people you love.

Tuscany is full of tiny villages where peasants still keep bound to their traditions and history. They are like small atolls scattered all over the luxuriant enchanting countryside, but yet less exotic.

There is a village, called Gualdo, on the hillside of Camaiore in Versilia area, Northern Tuscany, which is better known as the fairytales’ hamlet. It is now inhabited by less than one hundred and fifty souls who strive to preserve its charm, dating back to the XVIIth century, both in terms of environmental setting and cooking traditions.

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