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.

Lajatico - The Home of Andrea Bocelli

Lajatico...just 16 km from Chianni and Rivalto is a beautiful village in true Tuscan style. Of course one of its main claims to fame is it is the home of Andrea Bocelli. Lajatico is also the location of Andrea's yearly 'Live from Tuscany' open air concert at the Teatro di Silenzio (Theatre of Silence), a stunning natural open air amphitheatre.

Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman - Time To Say Goodbye - Live From Tuscany

Teatro De Silenzio - Bellissimo!

Chianni and Rivalto

Chianni is a ‘comune’ (municipality) in the Province of Pisa in The Italian region of Tuscany, located about 80 km southwest of Florence and about 35 km southeast of Pisa.

Its territories include vast chestnut woods and cultivations of grape vines and olive trees.

Chianni borders the following municipalities: Casciana Terme, Castellina Marittima, Lajatico, Riparbella, Santa Luce and Terricciola

Chianni

Rivalto

Old Renault in Rivalto

The Village of Rivalto

Rivalto is home to many sanctuaries and churches that attest to the history of this centuries-old Tuscan village. These include the sanctuary of the Madonna del Carmine which, nestled in its woodland setting, evocatively merges religious architecture and nature. The sanctuary dates to the eighteenth century and is noted for its characteristic Portico. In the town's center stands the santi Fabiano and Sebastiano church, whose facade is dominated by the crest of the noble florentine family, the Mazzinghis. The oratory of the Compagnia della Santa Croce, also in RIVALTO, is noteworthy for the preservation of its eighteenth-century aspect. Inside the oratory hangs the painting, Maria Addolorata and San Giovanni (out lady of sorrows with St. John), which dates to the seventeenth-century.

Rivalto Chestnut Festival

The Chestnut Festival is held in October in Rivalto each year.

Movies Shot in Tuscany

Tuscany is renowned for its beautiful countryside and quintessential medieval towns. It comes as no surprise that Tuscany has been used as the backdrop for many movies, both Italian and international. The appeal is understandable; thousands of tourists come to Tuscany every year to witness the scenes so often captured in the movies for themselves. It is the fusion of nature combined with slight touches of man-made structures perfectly mixed that continues to make the Tuscan countryside a top tourist destination year after year.

It is this same appeal that continues to draw producers and directors to shoot their movies in Tuscany. Hundreds, if not thousands of movies have been shot in Tuscany, from the Technicolor movies of the fifties to the more recent films such as The Gladiator and Life is Beautiful and of course “Under The Tuscan Sun”, that have received international acclaim. The following list of movies is just a small representation of what movies either in part or in full that have been shot in Tuscany. Many of them capture the essence of Tuscany and certainly celebrate the beauty found around every corner in this unique and exquisite part of the world.

Under the Tuscan Sun

The Gladiator

 Tea with Mussolini

A Room with a View

Life is Beautiful

Midsummer’s Night Dream

The English Patient

The Portrait of a Lady

Tuscany Overview

Tuscany is one of Italy’s best-loved regions. It combines a beautiful countryside reminiscent of the landscapes of Renaissance masterpieces, a rich artistic heritage including exquisite art and architecture, a glorious history, excellent wines and delicious food.

Set down between the blue-green Apenines and the turquoise Tyrrhenian Sea, Tuscany is the joyful heart and soul of the ancient Etruscan Civilisation which lives on in every city, town and village.

Florence (Firenze) is the administrative center of Tuscany whose Provinces include Arezzo, Livorno, Grossetto, Lucca, Massa-Carrara, Pisa, Pistaio, Prato and Sienna.

The Region ranks 5th in size in Italy with 22,997 sq km and 9th in population with 3,529,000 inhabitants.