RealPoint ~ properties in Italy

Why choose Tuscany?
The classic landscape of Tuscany is instantly recognisable from Renaissance paintings to travel programmes. Medieval hill-towns and rows of slender cypress trees, vineyards and olive groves make Tuscany the quintessential Italian image, and a place where because of the familiarity of these images, we can feel at home. Highlights of Tuscany include Florence and the Leaning Tower of Pisa

The property market in Tuscany
Why do so many of us want to buy property in Tuscany? Ask a foreigner to paint a picture of Italy and it will probably emerge looking something like this beautiful region of central Italy. Stone farmhouses sit atop rolling green hills, gazing down upon a land cultivated since Roman times. Tuscany continues to be a favourite location with non Italian buyers which is reflected in the strength of property prices that continue to rise, thus making the region ideal for an investment.

Find out about an exciting Italian property investment - Borgo di Colleoli

Click here for new developments in Mugello near Florence

All About Tuscany

The Alpi Apuane [Apuan Alps ] of Tuscany

An inviting and impressive backdrop to the coast, these craggy peaks, which are now a protected Parco Regionale, hide many attractive villages folded away amongst their chestnut wooded slopes. One example is the lovely village of Stazzema with its trail to the Procinto.

Towns and Cities of Northern Tuscany
Lying at the heart of one of Italy's richest agricultural regions, Lucca is the most graceful of Tuscany's provincial capitals. Surrounded by rennaissance walls and gardens it is a delightful city to spend time in with much of the centre free from traffic and plenty of historical architecture and art. To the east Pistoia is one of the least touristy cities in Tuscany and a quiet, well preserved medieval place with a superb Piazza del Duomo and many other stunning buildings.
Read more about the northern towns and cities of Tuscany here

Garfagnana Valley Tuscany

The Garfagana is for sure one of Tuscany’s best kept secret’s, when the rest of Tuscany is jammed with people and traffic the Garfagnana is having another quiet and peaceful day thanks to its location in the lush Serchio River valley north of Lucca and Pisa, surrounded by a natural barrier of two mountain ranges, the Apennines and the marble mountains of the Alpi Apuane. One cannot see or hear the noise of the cities, but you can be close enough to experience what they have to offer. Many of the villas and houses we have for sale in Tuscany are centered on this region. Read more about the Garfagnana Valley

Lunigiana

Lunigiana in the province of Massa-Carrara, is the northern most part of Tuscany extending from the magnificent Tuscan-Emilian Apennine Mountains to the warm waters of the Ligurian and Tuscan coastline.
Read more about Lunigiana

Southern Tuscany

The golden beaches of the Maremma coastline are bathed by a transparent sea and it is regarded to be the cleanest coastline in all of Italy. The hill towns and valleys of southern Tuscany are a wonderful cross-section of Italy's charms, constantly offering striking views of the rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards of classic Tuscany. Read more about Southern Tuscany

Eating and Drinking in Tuscany

Tuscany's culinary style is relatively simple: high quality food washed down with the country's best wines. The huge chargrilled steaks are an example and some specialities from the north of Tuscany include Zuppa di Faro, a thick soup made from grain and Cavrretto - roasted mountain goat. There are numerous cheeses, a love of and skill with chocolate and lots of bakeries selling delicious focaccia.

Festivals of Tuscany
Being Italy, there are numerous festivals among which the Lucchese Settembre is a month long programme centering on the candlelit procession in Lucca on 13th September and ranging from Puccini to Jazz. Also in Lucca is the summer festival www.summer-festival.com

In Viareggio, on the coast, there is a boisterous carnival for four consecutive Sundays in February which challenges the likes of the Rio Carnival. www.viareggio.ilcarnevale.com

Pistoia has a programme of concerts and events throughout July known as the Luglio Pistoiese which ranges from blues music to medieval jousting.

Hiking and Trekking in Tuscany

There are numerous, beautiful walks throughout the Alpi Apuane. Altitudes are not too high, below 1900 m, so you are never far from civilisation in the form of an interesting village. Particularly enjoyable is the walk from Stazzema up to the Procinto, a large crag top, with the Refugio Forte dei Marmi serving food on the say down.

Travel and other Information on Tuscany

Everything from travel to the weather, a useful resource where new information is added regarding accommodation, which airlines operate to regional airports etc. Click for more information