Places to visit and Attractions for families
Villa Rigacci is ideally situated for access to all parts of Tuscany. All the main attractions of the area are easy to reach: big cities and attractions like Florence, Siena, Arezzo, Chianti Classico, Pisa but also the small villages like Greve, Panzano, Radda and famous castles and wineyards.

When you combine the scenery, the activities and the attractions of Tuscany, you will soon find that there is no better place to base yourself for a holiday - be it a romantic weekend break or a longer holiday exploring the sights and experiences of the area.
 
Villa Rigacci and the Nearby Area
There are many places of interest within easy reach of Villa Rigacci, from attractive villages and small medioval towns in the Arno Valley to the mountains and forests of the Pratomagno mountains.
 
Florence - City, Art and Culture
Florence is the capital of Tuscany and one of the pearls of Italy, its wonderful masterpieces and great works of architecture enriching the everyday life of what is now also a vibrant modern city. One of the most important collections of paintings in the world can be found in the Uffizi Gallery and other magnificent paintings can be seen in the Gallery of Palazzo Pitti, hosting among others Tiziano’s and Raffaello’s masterpieces. The city is famous for its Duomo, the Baptistry and many other wonderful churches, for Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio and Ponte Vecchio, where you can still find fifteenth-century shops.

Places to visit:
  • Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore: The cathedral was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1294 to be the largest Roman Catholic church in the world (although the design was later reduced in size), with the first stone being laid on September 8, 1296
  • Battisterio di San Giovanni: The oldest building on the Cathedral Square is the Baptistery of Saint John, it was built in the 5th-6th century
  • Palazzo Vecchio - Signoria: Built at the turn between the 13th and 14th centuries as the seat of the Priors, the oldest part of Palazzo Vecchio was originally designed by Arnolfo di Cambio (1245-1302);
  • Uffizi: The collection of works in the Uffizi Gallery cannot be compared to any other world collection and is probably the only one to have just masterpieces of exceptional value.
  • Bargello: The National Bargello Museum is housed in the former Palace of the Capitain of the People. According to Vasari, the original core, dating to 1255, was built following a design by a certain Lapo, father of Arnolfo di Cambio
  • Palazzo Pitti - Giardino di Boboli:
  • Piazzale Michelangelo: The Piazzale Michelangelo to Florence represents the most famous point than observation of the city
  • Fiesole: the history goes back into the mists of time, as Faesulae, it was an important Etruscan town, commanding the Arno valley from its defensive heights; Florence was founded later by the Romans
 
Siena - City of Contrades
Surrounded by olive groves and the vineyards of Chianti, Siena is one of the most beautiful cities of Tuscany. Set on three hills, the city is drawn together by winding alleyways and steep steps, whilst the Piazza del Campo stands at its heart, and the Duomo and St Maria della Scala serve as additional cultural landmarks. Famed for the "Palio", the annual historic horse-races that take place on 2 July and 16 August, it is also home to one of the oldest Universities in Europe, which ensures a vibrant Italian student atmosphere throughout the academic year. In addition to the bustling daily life of the streets and squares of the city, Siena offers many cultural events, concerts, cinema, theatre and a wide range of sporting activities.

Sights in Siena:
  • Piazza del Campo or Il Campo
  • Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico with the access to the tower 'Torre del Mangia'
  • Duomo - Siena's main 13th Century Romanesque and Gothic cathedral with works of Nicola Pisano, Ghirlandaio, Donatello, Ghiberti, Jacopo della Quercia
  • The Battistero or the Baptistery with paintings of Sienas great artists
  • Pinacoteca Nazionale with gotic and renaissance paintings
 
Arezzo - Renaissance in South Tuscany
Arezzo was established in the pre-Etruscan era in an area that had been settled since prehistoric times, as demonstrated by the discovery of stone tools and the so-called "uomo dell'Olmo" (man from Olmo), dating back to the Palaeolithic era, whose skull was discovered in 1863 near Olmo, a hamlet of Arezzo, during the excavation works in a short tunnel of the Rome-Florence railway line.

Sights in Arezzo:
  • Cathedral: the Duomo, gothic church containing the tomb of Pope Gregory X, XIV century.
  • St. Dominic: founded in 1275 and completed at the beginning of the fourteenth century. Contains the Crocifisso Ligneo (Wooden Crucifix)by Cimabue
  • Basilica of St. Francis: the Bacci Chapel contains the fresco "La Leggenda della Vera Croce" by Piero della Francesca.
  • Santa Maria della Pieve (the Pieve),with a 59-metre high tower, also known as the bell tower of a hundred holes.
  • St. Michael.
  • Saints Flora and Lucilla in Badia(the Badia).
  • Santa Maria delle Grazie: gothic, late fifteenth-century sanctuary with Renaissance portico by Benedetto da Maiano; high altar in marble and glazed terracotta (late fifteenth century); unusual work by Andrea Della Robbia, depicting the Madonna con Bambino (Madonna with Child) between two angels in the tympanum, Saints Lorentino, Pergentino, Donato and Bernardino in the niches, and La Pietà in the frontal; the inside contains a fresco by Parri di Spinello (Madonna della Misericordia).
 
Cortona - Valdichiana and lake Trasimeno
Cortona is surrounded by Etruscan walls, around 3000 years old. It retains much of its history through its architecture, layers of history built upon the Etruscan core.

Places to see:
  • Piazza della Republica - The 13th century town hall and clock tower are on one of Cortona's main squares, Piazza della Republica
  • Duomo - Cortona's Renaissance cathedral, built on the site of an Etruscan temple, has an 11th century facade and has beautiful 16th and 17th century paintings inside
  • Museo dell' Accademia Etrusca - In the 13th century Palazzo Pretorio on Piazza Signorelli is the Etruscan Academy Museum. Besides good Etruscan artifacts, the museum holds Roman remains, Renaissance and Baroque paintings, 15th century ivories, and a small Egyptian exhibit. It's closed on Mondays
  • Museo Diocesano - This small museum, also closed on Mondays, holds outstanding art works and a decorated Roman sarcophagus
  • San Domenico - Near the public gardens, the church of San Domenico has a completely intact 15th century altar piece and works by Fra Angelico and Signorelli
  • San Francesco - The Church of San Francesco, built in 1245, holds a Pietro di Cortona painting and the reamins of Signorelli
  • Cortona's Walls - Cortona's Etruscan walls are incorporated into the medieval walls that surround its historic center. Inside the walls, you can wander the narrow medieval streets of Cortona's historic center. Near the walls, you'll often be rewarded with fantastic views of the valley below
Distance from Hotel Villa Rigacci:  ca. 1 hour and 10 minutes by car
 
Lucca - Tuscan Town with Flair
Lucca, founded in 180 b.c. on a bank of the river Auser, initially had the function of defending the surrounding territory that had been theatre of several violent conflicts between Ligurians and Romans; for this reason rapidly were built the walls. In time several public and private buildings were built, among them a theatre and an amphitheatre.
The imposing tree-lined Renaissance walls which totally enclose it, the maze of medieval streets flanked by towers and boutiques, the enchanting Romanesque churches and bright inviting squares captivate the visitor.
The Case Guinigi and the Guinigi Tower represent a marvellous example of Medieaval architecture in Lucca with mansions and towers built from one of the most important families of the town, the Guinigi. Paolo Guinigi ruled the town during the first half of the XV century. Today only one of the four original towers still survives and it may be visited.

Places to see:
  • Piazza Anfiteatro called The Market, positioned in the ancient centre of the city it is of elliptical form in that it was constructed over the ruins of a Roman amphitheatre. It is completely surrounded by Medieval houses. In 1830 after the urban reorganisation it became a food market
  • The Walls, perfectly preserved because they were never used, constructed between 1544 and 1645, twelve metres high and four kilometres long, furnished with eleven ramparts
  • The Romanesque cathedral of Lucca, built in the 12/13th century with the marble tomb of Ilaria del Carretto by Jacopo della Quercia of Siena
  • Torre Guinigi in Via S. Andrea with oak trees growing on its top is part of the Guinigi palace built in 1300
  • Casa Puccini, the house where the musician was born today is a museum where his documents and musical instruments are preserved
Distance from Hotel Villa Rigacci:  ca. 1 hour and 20 minutes by car
 
Pisa - Leaning Tower and Galileo Galilei
Pisa’s origins remain uncertain even to this day; some theories say the city is of Greek origin, however the city was most probably founded by the Ligurians or Etruscans.
During the medieval period, between the 11th and 12th centuries, Pisa reached maximum prosperity; the Marine Republic became one of the most important naval powers of the Mediterranean and extended its power over the entire coasts of Tuscany, Sardinia and Corsica. Its fleet was involved in continuous battles with the Saracens and Italian rival powers: Genoa, Venice and Amalfi.
The end of the 12th century signaled the beginning of the city’s decline. Everyone in Pisa, even to this day, are well aware of the Battle of Meloria in 1284 in which Pisa was bombarded by the Genoan fleet.
Under the dei Medici’s the city experienced a period of recovery thanks to its port, offering Florence a convenient gateway to the sea.
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642): His work in physics or natural philosophy, astronomy, and the methodology of science still evoke debate after over 360 years.

Places to visit:
  • Piazza dei Miracoli: the monuments which transform a common name of the square are the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Bell or Leaning Tower and the Monumental Churchyard
  • Leaning Tower: the construction of this imposing mass was started in the year 1174 by Bonanno Pisano
  • The Cathedral: was started in the year 1063 by the great architect Buschetto and consecrated in the year 1118
  • The Baptistery: it is located in front of the cathedral façade. The construction of this great building began in the year 1153 under the guide of the architect Diotisalvi
  • Museo dell'Opera
  • Botanical Gardens: the oldest in the world together with the one in Padova founded in the 16th century (1544) by a doctor named Luca Ghini
Distance from Hotel Villa Rigacci:  ca. 1 hour and 20 minutes by car
 
San Gimignano and The 15 Towers
From every part of San Gimignano the appearance is medieval: roads and public squares, town-wall, civil and religious buildings and the old fortress. Originally, the town was home to more than 70 different towers in total, although today, just 15 of these landmarks remain still standing, adding much character to the skyline and earning San Gimignano a mention on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites.

Places to visit:
  • Medioval buildings with 15 conserved towers
  • The Duomo or Collegiate Church, was consecrated in 1148 and is adorned with valuable Sienese School frescoes
  • Communal Palace, once seat of the podestà, with access to the 'Big Tower' and Town Gallery: works by Pinturicchio, Benozzo Gozzoli, Filippino Lippi, Domenico di Michelino, Pier Francesco Fiorentino
    Piazza del Duomo
  • Porta San Giovanni and Porta San Matteo: two well conserved gates in the medioval town-wall
  • Piazza della Cisterna in the centre; the cistern was built in 1237 and enlarged in 1346
  • La Rocca: ruins of a fortress up on the town hill with great views over the surrounding tuscan landscape
  • Palazzo del Popolo mit Torre Grossa
  • Museo della tortura - Torture Museum
  • The Medieval Wash-houses: The Porta delle Fonti opens onto the countryside and leads to the ancient wash-houses
Distance from Hotel Villa Rigacci:  ca. 1 hour and 10 minutes by car
 
Holidays with Children - Pinocchio Park in Collodi
The Adventures of Pinocchio comes to life in Italy's Pinocchio Park, in the village of Collodi. Carlo Collodi, Pinocchio's creator, took his pen name from Collodi, birthplace of his mother. The park tells Collodi's version of the Pinocchio story through sculpture, mosaics and puppet shows.

Pinocchio Park is a great place to take kids. A winding path leads visitors through the Village of Pinocchio as they encounter statues of characters from the story. The park also has a snack bar and picnic area, amusement park for small children, a theater for puppet shows, and a museum and gift shop. There's even an internet train to keep the parents occupied.

Pinocchio Park is open every day, 8:30 to sunset.

The medieval hillside village of Collodi, 17km northeast of Lucca in Tuscany, is an interesting place to visit, too. Also in Collodi, near Pinocchio Park, is the Garzoni Garden with its Butterly House. A combination ticket is available to visit both places.

Opening:
Pinocchio Park and Garzoni Gardens + Butterfly House
from 1st March to 1st November
open every day from 8.30 until sunset
 
Holidays with Children - Vinci and Leonardo
Everything in Vinci town tells us about the Genius: his house, the church where he was baptized, the streets and the squares of the castle that still have their medieval appearance. Leonardo's presence can be felt everywhere.
Leonardo Museum is considered to be one of the largest and most original collections of machines and models of Leonardo the inventor, technologist and engineer. Each model is shown together with precise references to the artist's sketches and annotations.
The machines exhibited exemplify various fields of interest: there are military machines, machines for construction, scientific instruments and machines for moving through air, water and on land.
Large wooden models of his machines give younger children a tactile understanding of Da Vinci’s theories and discoveries, while written explanations posted alongside the models provide a more in-depth explanation for older visitors.
Via A. Manzoni, 75. Reggello loc.Vaggio 50066 (FI) - hotel@villarigacci.it - tel 055.8656.718 / tel 055.8656.562- P.Iva 03703900484 - Privacy