Tuscany: Montecatini Terme, Elegance and Style

Thermal "Tettuccio" @ Montecatini Terme (Pistoia, Tuscany)

Welcome, my friends!
I'm so proud to have you here, in My Own Italy and to introduce you to the most famous Spa in Italy: Montecatini Terme!

Thermal "Regina" @  Montecatini Terme

Montecatini Terme is a town in Tuscany in the province of Pistoia, in the Valdinievole; it is a so famous and popular spa thanks to its water-chloride-sodium phosphate, recommended for the treatment of gastro-intestinal diseases.

Moreover, it is located in a strategic position for those who want to visit Tuscany: in fact, you are half an hour from Florence, Lucca and Siena too!

Thermal "Tettuccio"

Already in Roman times the therapeutic qualities of the waters of Montecatini were known: the "garden city" that enchants the visitor with its beauty made ​​of picturesque boulevards, an oasis of greenery and flowers, artistic beauty, serene stillness and warm hospitality.

Leopoldina Water: purifying!

The waters of the thermal baths originate from one basin hydro-mineral that is found at a depth of 60-80 meters, the water is bacteriologically pure: carefully studies from a physical-chemical and clinical pharmacology confirm that they have extraordinary health benefits and on the body!

Thermal "Tettuccio"

Thermal Tettuccio  is considered the symbol of the city and its glorious past. 


Thermal "Tettuccio", entrance

It is the oldest plant of the Baths, and is a real distillation of elegance, and it is known as "the temple of European Spas".

The Park in Montecatini Terme nearby the Spa

The grandeur of the building and the richness of the decorations that characterize the interior are the highest expression of spa town of Montecatini.

I suggest  you also a relaxing walk in the park, which covers an area of ​​420 thousand square meters!

I had a great time there ... try this out and let me know your opinion!


Carlotta @ Thermal "Tettuccio", Montecatini Terme

Follow me: www.myownitaly.com
Ciao, Carlotta!

Tuscany: Montecarlo, and its Fortress of Cerruglio

The Fortress of Montecarlo (Lucca, Tuscany)

Hello my friends!
Happy to find you again here in My Own Italy  to Discover Italy with My Personal Touch!
Today I suggest you a gem in Tuscany, in the middle of the way of Wine and Olive Oil: I'd like to introduce you to Montecarlo.

Montecarlo (Lucca, Tuscany)

Montecarlo is a small village located at 162 m above sea level, on a hill overlooking the surrounding plains, between Lucca and the Valdinievole.
 

Montecarlo was founded in 1333 by the future Emperor Charles IV of Bohemia, to which it owes its name (in latin: Mons Caroli).

Due to its extraordinary strategic importance, since its foundation, Monte Carlo was the scene of battles between Pisa, Florence and Lucca, for the domain of Valdinievole and Lucca.

Lucca authorities decided to move the town at the top of the hill on which stood the Fortress of Cerruglio.

Fortress of Montecarlo (Lucca, Italy)

The fort played a strategic role in the wars of the fourteenth century: the fortress was enlarged by Lucca themselves first and then by the Florentines, especially Grand-ducal government which, since 1437, had finally Montecarlo under its control!

Fortress of Montecarlo (Lucca, Italy)

In 1775 the fortress was broken up by the Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo and sold at auction. 


Since then  it became a private property; the fortified complex is covered by the owners of ongoing works of conservation and restoration.

The Garden inside the Montecarlo Fortress (LU)

The fortress is open to the public during the summer months, its renovated rooms and courtyards host exhibitions and cultural events.







If you would like to know something more, why don't you follow me on this interview?
Enjoy!


 

If you want to take your rest in this magic place, I suggest you to stay at Casa Fontanino : you'll find more information on my page Where To Sleep!

Ciao,
Carlotta!

The River Po: riding along the Right Bank

Pedestrian Cycle Route of Ferrara, the Right bank of the River Po

Hello my friends, welcome in My Own Italy!

Today I'd like to suggest you another way to discover Italy with my personal touch.

If you want to enjoy Italy by the Slow Tourism, you can visit Ferrara, in Emilia Romagna Region. I suggest you this itinerary : the River Po, cycling on the right bank.

At the city entrance you will notice the sign "City of Bicycles", which gives the feeling of entering a place where the rider becomes user "less weak" of the road.

 

Just a few steps away in the old town, or even just a quick look soon as you exit the train station, to realize that actually the number of bikes is large, as well as the people that use: the people of cyclists in Ferrara is about 90% of its inhabitants!!.

Ferrara also has morphological characteristics that have enabled the enhancement of the bicycle, such as the fact of being in the flat Po Valley - Venetian.

My son Francesco and I cycling along the River Po

From the heart of the city a bike path along the countryside of Ferrara, and you can admire the view of the river right bank of the Po River.

The bike path runs along between rows of poplar trees in a pleasant and peaceful landscape where you can ride smoothly and effortlessly!

Read more on this route:
Il Grande Anello d'Acqua

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Ciao, Carlotta!

Tuscany: Arezzo and the Magnificent Piazza Grande

A glimpse of Piazza Grande (Arezzo, Tuscany)

Welcome, my friends!
Are you ready to discover another piece of Tuscany? Follow me in My Own Italy !

Countryside around Arezzo

If you are doing your holiday, and you're out for Tuscany, I'd like to suggest you to spend a couple of day in Arezzo .

Chimera in Porta Laurentina, Arezzo

Arezzo was then one of the major Etruscan cities, At this period belong works of art of exceptional value, such as the Chimera, now preserved in Florence.

 

The heart of Arezzo is Piazza Grande, also known as Piazza Vasari; very likely it rises in the area where was the Roman forum.  

It is developed in a trapezoidal shape and has a surface very inclined.

 

Among the events taking place in the Piazza Grande, please note the Giostra del Saracino.

Piazza Grande, Arezzo (Tuscany, Italy)

The Giostra recalls the story of the medieval city, with a competition between riders gallop and a historical parade consisting of three hundred and flag weavers.

Antiques in Arezzo

I also suggest to seeking antiques: Tuscany is very rich of them!

Each month in Piazza Grande there is an exibition of Antiques,  where collectors from all over Italy come together. 

  

Antiques in Arezzo (Tuscany, Italy)

You'll enjoy exhibition of paintings, clocks, antique prints, books, fabrics and many other objects.

If you are hungry, I'd like to suggest you a very nice place to stay and have enjoyable break.

This is me, Carlotta: taking picture for you!

If you would like to have a suggestion about a delightful place to eat, refer to page "Where to eat"  with My Personal Touch, of course here in My Own Italy!

Follow me: www.myownitaly.com 
Ciao, Carlotta!

The Italian Alpes: Livigno, Val Federìa

Val Federìa, Livigno (Italy)

My dear friends, welcome in My Own Italy!

Val Federìa, Livigno

I suggest you an itinerary evocative and  quietly: Val Federìa.

Starting from Livigno, you can can star a walk of about two hours;

Chiesa dell'Addolorata (Livigno)

you will meet old chalets, manicured lawns and a small church with the typical onion dome!

 

Stream Federìa, Val Federia (Livigno)

At the bottom of the valley, the stream from which the valley takes its name, runs roaring, breaking the silence in which the area is often surrounded!

Val Federìa, Livigno (Italy)

 

Inhabited and used to pasture at the top, cultivated in the low part, only during the summer, Val Federìa offers a wonderful environment...

Goats grazing in Val Federìa

During my walk, I had a lot of very special meetings.... 

They were wondering what I was doing there....!

Now, if you are not so tired, but you are hungry after this walk in My Own Italy . .. well, please wait and follow me looking at my page My Own Italy, Where to eat  on my blog: you will find a small personal suggestion. I'm sure you will appreciate and enjoy!!!

This is me in Val Federìa: magic Livigno!

Follow me: www.myownitaly.com 

Ciao, Carlotta!

The Magic of The Alpes: Livigno!

Livigno with My Personal Touch, Alta Valtellina (Italy)

My dear friends, welcome again here, in My Own Italy!

 
In these days so terribly hot I'd like to offer you a trip at 1800 meters high, in a so charming place, rich in history and tradition: Livigno.

Rifugio Costaccia (Livigno)

If you enjoy the breathtaking views, I suggest you walk the path that leads to  Costaccia Refuge , about 2400 meters above sea level.

 During the climb you can do nice encounters ...

Livigno, during the climb!

and not only this .... Nearly ten thousand feet I got to know ... him!

Highland Cattle Breed @ Livigno (Italy)

Polenta Taragna @ Costaccia Refuge (Livigno)

By the way, if you reached the goal,  you can enjoy a typical delicious plate of Polenta Taragna, prepared with buckwheat, and venison stew with mushrooms, a dish I really recommend you to taste!

Ok, my friends... I hope you will enjoy this trip. 

I'll show you more about Valtellina and Italian Alpes in a few days, here on my Blog: this is My Own Italy.

Stay tuned!

This is me, climbing towards Costaccia Refuge (Livigno)

Ciao!

Carlotta

PS: If you would like to have a any suggestions about where to sleep... please, have a look here:

My Own Italy, Where to Sleep in Livigno: Baita Luleta 

Where to sleep in Livigno @ "My Own Italy"

Rimini: the most popular Italian Seaside!

Hi everybody, welcome in My Own Italy!

Summer is coming and I'd like to suggest you a classic itinary: Rimini, the most popular italian seaside....

But, as usual, I'll do it with my personal Touch!

Rimini Seaside with My Personal Touch

Rimini, the History of  Dolce Vita

Rimini is on the Adriatic Sea, in the center of Italy. It is the hometown of Federico Fellini, the most famous italian Film Director (wikipedia, Federico Fellini), .

Welcome @ Grand Hotel Rimini

You can also breathe the air of the Italian Dolce Vita in the historic Grand Hotel (www.grandhotelrimini.com), a masterpiece of art nouveau in the city center situated in fornt of the beach and still popular haunt of artists and actors.

Discovering Rimini

Of course, we can't forget that Rimini was an important city during the Romans Emperor, so I think you will enjoy a tour in the ancient part of the city.

Let's have a look to the Guide Map!

In the very old center you can visit Piazza Cavour, a medieval square.

Formerly called the "town square" or "fountain square"; in the Middle Ages there was the center of city life (Rimini, Piazza Cavour).

Piazza Cavour (Rimini, Italy)

Today it no longer reflects the shape of medieval, but still retains the old public fountain, around which the place of the fish and vegetable market.

On one side of the square there are coffee shops, on the other you can admire the historic buildings: Garampi building (city hall), Arengo Palace and Palace of the Podestà.

Measurement system used in the Middle Ages, Piazza Cavour

Viale Pricipe Amedeo, Rimini

Coming back to the seaside, you can walk along Viale Principe Amedeo, one of the main streets of Rimini, where you can admire ancient and aristocratic mansions.

Villa in Viale Pricipe Amedeo

Certainly a different perspective of Rimini! :-)

Of course, we can't forget that Rimini is the capital of the traditional Piadina Romagnola... so please follow me at "Where to eat" section: I'm going to introduce you to a unique gastronomic experience!

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Colline Modenesi (Modena Hills) with my Personal Touch!

Welcome in My Own Italy again, my friends!
I'm about to introduce you to a place with soft, evocative and intense flavors: Hills of Modena, in Emilia Romagna region.

Modena Hills: Rosola (MO)

Tigelle with Prosciutto Crudo

I wish to lead you in the land of good food: prosciutto, the tigelle and the fried savory dough
(Gnocco Fritto), tortellini (Tortellini), good wine and the best known cheese world, Parmigiano Reggiano.
 

Parmigiano Reggiano... So good!

The land of the best welcome, of the friendliness and hospitality. 

I would like to take you on a journey troughout not so famous places, but very special indeed, rich in tradition and taste.

Follow me: www.myownitaly.com!
Are you ready?
Ok, please follow me... on the next pages: Shopping, Where to eat and...but before, take a look to Vignola Fortress  :-)

Vignola Fortress (Modena, Italy)

This is me at Vignola Fortress: Welcome!

Vignola is a medieval city overlooking the river Panaro.
You can see, right in the center of the city, the Fortress (Vignola Fortress), whose construction began even before the year AD one thousand, and that was the site of their own on a spur of rock.

Around the fourteenth century the castle was burned down, then became a very important property of the D'Este italian family.
Towards the end of the eighteenth century, the fortress became the property of the French, who had invaded the territory.
Be part owned by the city of Modena after several years, and in recent sixties a careful and expensive restoration work has begun.

When you reach the top, you can walk the round walkaways: they made possible the surveillance along the Fortress perimeter.

The Walkaways in the Tower

From the top of the main tower you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the hills and the River Panaro, including the town of Vignola: really great!

My Personal Touch from the main Tower of Vignola Fortress

 

The Leopard Room

I think you'll be pleased to know that the entrance to the Fortress is free: one more reason not to miss the must-see!