Food scene
Trattoria Manero
15/17 Borgo Giacomo MatteottiFantastic food, stunning views, steps from the house
Indoor/outdoor dining, famous Sorana beans, fresh mountain air
7 locals recommend
Ristorante Pizzeria da Carla
Indoor/outdoor dining, famous Sorana beans, fresh mountain air
Bar Trattoria Lina
391 Via MammianeseVia Mammianese, 391 - Loc, 51017 Macchino PT, Italy
Traditional but sophisticated northern tuscan menu in an inviting mountain setting, few minutes up the mountain from the house
Ristorante Goraiolo
40 Via MammianeseTraditional but sophisticated northern tuscan menu in an inviting mountain setting, few minutes up the mountain from the house
Northern Tuscany
These are the cities/towns within an hour of the house. Vellano is one of the "Dieci Castelli" mountain villages - ten castles that surround Pescia. Each of them is worth a look!
A small but welcoming city, Pescia is at heart of the "Dieci castelli" and has all the conveniences you need for your stay.
On Saturday mornings the main piazza holds the Mercato open air market. Every third sunday of the month the streets are closed for the antiquities fair market.
43 locals recommend
Pescia
A small but welcoming city, Pescia is at heart of the "Dieci castelli" and has all the conveniences you need for your stay.
On Saturday mornings the main piazza holds the Mercato open air market. Every third sunday of the month the streets are closed for the antiquities fair market.
40 minutes away, Lucca is full of art, stores, music, and museums. Worth exploring.
1278 locals recommend
Lucca
40 minutes away, Lucca is full of art, stores, music, and museums. Worth exploring.
An hour away by car (a bit more by train), you can spend the day in the bustle and come back to tranquility.
1943 locals recommend
Florence
An hour away by car (a bit more by train), you can spend the day in the bustle and come back to tranquility.
Beautiful city, great shopping and food, spas. Get treated like a king/queen, 20 minutes from Pescia.
174 locals recommend
Montecatini Terme
Beautiful city, great shopping and food, spas. Get treated like a king/queen, 20 minutes from Pescia.
Abetone
This place is alive at night! great shopping, art galleries - including a wonderful deconsecrated church in the main square. A bit on the pricey side for meals though. There are lots of concerrts in the summer.
498 locals recommend
Pietrasanta
This place is alive at night! great shopping, art galleries - including a wonderful deconsecrated church in the main square. A bit on the pricey side for meals though. There are lots of concerrts in the summer.
Forte dei Marmi
10 Via RomaUpscale beach town 75 minutes from Vellano.
Family-oriented beach town 70 minutes from Vellano. Famous for its carnevale https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival_of_Viareggio
459 locals recommend
Viareggio
Family-oriented beach town 70 minutes from Vellano. Famous for its carnevale https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival_of_Viareggio
Sightseeing
Pinocchio Park
SP35A great experience for kids
Adventure park with ziplines and fun for the whole family http://www.spiderpark.it/ 20 minutes from the house
Spider Park
719 Strada Provinciale 633Adventure park with ziplines and fun for the whole family http://www.spiderpark.it/ 20 minutes from the house
Borgo a Mozzano
Scenic bridge and town with mountains backdrop
City advice
Getting around
It's best to drive to the house, but there is also a bus
There are multiple buses that service this area and they run from Piazza XX Settembre. This link shares useful information:
https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Pescia/Vellano-Italy
Ways to save
Food Shopping
There is an "alimentari" for fresh bread daily and small items in town, but you will want to stock up in Pescia for more groceries. Esselunga, Coop, Lidl are all good and reliable. There are many smaller shops in Pescia for meats, breads, vegetables.
Don't miss
https://www.qualcosadafare.it/en/org/OpenWeek
Links to lots of great places to go in the area
Don't miss
4 Days in Northern Tuscany/Vellano - a suggested itinerary
Day 1: make dinner reservations at Trattoria Manero in Vellano- chefs choice, and sit at the window for the full view - then back to the house for after dinner drinks on terrace.
Day 2: Drive to Pescia and take the train in- follow guides of choice for day in Firenze
Day 3: Lucca for the day and Pietrasanta at night for shopping, art galleries.
Day 4: drive through the dieci castelli (10 villages surrounding Pescia) hike, eat at Carla’s or Sandrino’s in Sorana. Go to Montecatini Terme for Beaux Arts architecture/shopping and Montecatini Alto (take the funicular) for dinner in the square.