Frescobaldi Wines from Tuscany

The Village of Rivalto

Livorno

Livorno - Part of the Etruscan Coast

The beautiful beaches and the green Mediterranean ma-quis, south of Livorno, are landscapes which have only been partially tampered with by man, but which retain that peace and that beauty which also stimulate the pleasure of knowledge. There are protected habitats in oases, wildlife refuges, parks and reserves which give shelter to roe and fallow deer, badgers and porcupines, falcons and flamingos.

There are hills covered in woods and punctuated by medieval citadels, tempting gulfs overlooked by fishing villages. This is a land which never ceases to surprise. And which offers ideas for alternative holidays in the open air, on the seafloors populated by a great variety of fish, in the seas ploughed by dolphins and striped dolphins, in the old town centres abounding with monuments and in places which have marked important chapters of our history and poetry: the avenue of cypresses that inspired Giosue Carducci, winner of the Nobel prize in 1906 and the greatest Italian poet of the turn of the century, forms the approach to Bolgheri.



An interesting sign in a cafe/bar window in Tuscany

Carousel Unit

Vespa - An Iconic Scooter Made in Tuscany!

I am quite sure that it is not widely known that The Vespa Scooter is actually manufactured in Pontedera , Tuscany. Pontedera is just 25 km from Pisa.

The Italian word " Vespa" actually means....."Wasp" in English and I am ceratin sure this refers to the noise these beautiful motor cycles make. Just about any motor cycle lover, from a hardened Harley Biker to a trendy chic young couple would love to have a classic or even modern Vespa in the transport stable at home. Like it or not...they are pretty cool.
Vespas are actually made by The Piaggio Company, Pontedera, which was established in 1946, one year after the end of WWII. By the way the Vespa was the first globally successful scooter.